How to get a great deal on previous iPhone models in the US after an Apple event

1. eBay Refurbished

The eBay program divides refurbished and inspected devices into four strict grades:

• Certified Refurbished: device in flawless condition, packaged in a branded box. Restored by the manufacturer itself or officially approved partners. Comes with a 2-year Allstate warranty.
• Excellent: cosmetic condition is close to perfect, with micro-scratches invisible at arm's length. Battery has been tested and holds a high charge. Comes with a 1-year Allstate warranty.
• Very Good: moderate cosmetic wear, minor scuffs on the edges, but 100% fully functional. 1-year warranty.
• Good: visible scratches or signs of wear on the body, but the glass is chip-free and the screen and all modules work perfectly. 1-year warranty.

The key advantage is the eBay Money Back Guarantee. If the seller sends a phone with a defect not mentioned in the listing, or the battery is more worn than stated, eBay will force a refund — even if the seller marked the listing as No Returns.

2. Amazon Renewed

Amazon doesn't allow random private individuals to sell used devices — only certified service centers that have passed an audit are permitted to sell, so you're even better protected from unpleasant surprises here. Don't forget that all purchased items can be inspected at the Prostobox warehouse. The Amazon Renewed program is divided into tiers:

• Amazon Renewed Standard: the device passes a diagnostic test covering more than 90 checkpoints, has a remaining battery capacity of at least 80%, and shows minimal signs of use. Covered by the Amazon Renewed Guarantee for 90 days — unconditional refund or replacement.
• Amazon Renewed Premium: devices with no visible cosmetic defects from 30 cm away, a guaranteed battery capacity of at least 90%, and a full 365-day warranty.

1. Seller profile

• Transaction history. The account should be more than 1–2 years old. Ideally, the profile has a history of selling everyday household items (clothing, parts, electronics) — not an empty profile with hundreds of reviews from buying cheap stickers.
• Reason for selling. Genuine owners usually state the context directly: "Upgraded to a new iPhone, selling my personal daily driver" or "Bought at Apple Store on launch day".
• Volume. If a private seller has 10 iPhones listed at the same time with no boxes, that's a reseller or pawnshop — not a personal owner.

2. Photos in the listing

• Background and angles. Avoid listings with studio renders on a perfectly white background. Personal phones are photographed on a kitchen table, carpet, or desk under normal room lighting, from every angle. It should be a photo of the exact phone you're buying. If there isn't one — either message the seller directly to request real photos (if they have a good rating), or skip the listing.
• About screen. There should be a clear photo showing the model, serial number, and carrier lock status (Carrier Lock: No SIM restrictions).
• Battery Health screen. A trustworthy seller always includes a screenshot showing the actual remaining battery percentage, or at least mentions it in the description.
• Parts and Service History section. If the screen, battery, or camera has been replaced, iOS will display a warning (Genuine Apple Part or Unknown Part). If this section doesn't appear in the menu at all, the device has never been opened.

3. Verification via direct messages

If the listing description was sparse, ask the seller direct questions before placing your order. Conversations within the eBay messenger carry legal weight when opening a dispute:

• Is the device fully paid off, or is there any remaining financing/lease balance with your carrier? (Whether the carrier installment plan is paid off.)
• Can you confirm that Find My iPhone and iCloud Activation Lock are completely disabled? (Whether iCloud is unlinked.)
• Has this iPhone ever been repaired or had any parts replaced? (Whether any repairs have been made.)
• Could you please provide the IMEI number so I can check carrier and blacklist status? (IMEI request for verification.)

If the seller dodges your questions or refuses to provide the IMEI, it's best not to proceed with the purchase.

4. Pitfalls and protection

• Unpaid installment plan (Financed Status). The trickiest risk with private sellers. If an American stopped making monthly payments on the device, the carrier adds the IMEI to the Blacklist. Check the IMEI you receive through specialized checkers (Sickw, IMEIPro) for the Financed / Outstanding Balance parameter.
• iCloud Activation Lock. Older users or those who aren't tech-savvy often reset their phone using the buttons without disabling Find My. Insist on confirmation that the device has been fully removed from the device list on icloud.com.
• No Returns label. Most private sellers have this option enabled. There's no need to worry: if the device arrives with a carrier-related defect or a non-genuine screen, the eBay Money Back Guarantee overrides the seller's refusal and forces a refund.

5. Technical verification criteria

• Factory Unlocked only. Avoid phones marked as Network Locked or contract variants (Locked to AT&T / T-Mobile / Verizon, Bad ESN). Unlocking a carrier-locked US smartphone is a lengthy, costly process — and often impossible.
• ESN / IMEI Clean. Ask the seller for a screenshot of the settings or a check via services like Sickw or Swappa. The status must be Clean. Any notation of Financed (carrier loan not paid off) or Reported Lost/Stolen means the radio module will be blocked.
• No MDM profiles. Corporate devices are often written off a company's books but remain linked to a remote MDM management server. After the first full reset, such a phone will prompt for corporate login credentials.
• Physical SIM slot. Models up to and including iPhone 13 come with a Nano-SIM, while starting with iPhone 14 all US versions (LL/A) support eSIM only.
• Battery condition. For everyday use, look for Battery Health of 85% or above. A Battery Service notice or an unbranded replacement showing an error in iOS indicates a non-original battery swap.