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August 20, 2007 10:35 AM PDT

Apple sells refurbished iPhones

by Kent German
Apple iPhone

Get 'em while they're hot

(Credit: Corrine Schulze/CNET Networks)

Yes, they've been on sale for only two months, but refurbished iPhones are now available for purchase on Apple's Web site. You can get both versions at a $100 discount with free shipping. That puts the 8GB model at $499 (17 percent off the original price) and the 4GB model at $399 (21 percent off). All the features are the same, including that required AT&T two-year contract, unless that is, you can get around it.

While the $100 discount may be good news to wannabe iPhone owners with smaller budgets, it sparks a interesting question. Just where are the refurbished iPhones coming from? Is Apple getting enough returns so they can resell them at such a volume so soon after the phone's release? Or are Apple employees refusing their free iPhones? Or is this just a clever marketing ploy, the kind at which Apple excels? I bet on the latter.

Source: The Unofficial Apple Weblog

Kent German is a senior editor for cell phone reviews at CNET. When he's not testing the newest handsets on the market, he's blogging about cell phone news for Crave. In his On Call column, he answers reader questions and gives his take on the rapidly changing mobile industry. E-mail Kent.
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Add a Comment (Log in or register)
Warrantee length versus Contract Term
by Farqhar Snoodgratz August 21, 2007 8:53 AM PDT
Apple offers a 1 year warranty on the refurbed iphones. Terms of use require a two year contract. Any guesses as to the number of users who will be stuck with a year left on the monthly phone bill for their malfunctioning refurbished iphone?
Reply to this comment
hey you can get a warrenty
by locodude125 August 25, 2007 6:48 PM PDT
i just got off of the apple store.com and i read the fine print and you can buy
the optional apple care plan for and additional year added to your limited
warrenty so i guess thats good news!!
Reply to this comment
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