Refurbished iPhones: the myth behind these smartphones

For many years, I have been curious about how gadget refurbishing works. My interest in the subject began during the Xbox 360 era when devices that some called “refurbished” started to circulate. The same happened with the Wii; several refurbished units reached retailers and introduced many people to the world of video games.

Refurbished equipment today

Over time, this type of product ceased to be rare and became commonplace, especially in the world of consoles. What was once exclusive to that niche has now expanded to the smartphone market, particularly with refurbished iPhones.

A few days ago I spoke with Mario Pardo, CEO of DGL, the company behind Doto, an online sales portal that offers, among many other things, this category of refurbished iPhones. And it was in that chat, which extended beyond his office, where I finally understood that a refurbished device is not the same as a reconditioned one and that in the latter, there are even “quality levels.”

In the case of iPhones specifically, there are three ratings:

DGL exclusively acquires AAA equipment — the best possible condition — to ensure a quality experience for its customers. Mario, who also has experience as a retailer, knew that I would be interested in seeing the operational process firsthand. And he wasn’t wrong.

What struck me about your reconditioning process?

The first thing that struck me was the cleanliness of the place, something uncommon in stores of this type. In addition, the company has made a significant investment in technology to improve the quality of its refurbished equipment. For example, they have a machine that polishes the glass of the scratched screens and then places an additional protective mica on them. This is a detail that, it must be said, not even Apple includes in its new products.

But that’s not all. Although DGL’s refurbished iPhones have between one and two years of use, the company guarantees that the battery retains at least 80% of its original capacity. They also offer a 12-month warranty, which Apple only provides with AppleCare+.

And if we look at it from an eco-friendly perspective, choosing one of these devices helps to reduce electronic waste and the consumption of natural resources. All this at a savings of up to 35% compared to the price of new equipment. Sounds tempting, doesn’t it?

I must admit that I, too, have been part of the cycle of changing my iPhone every year. But after learning about these types of processes and alternatives, it no longer seems crazy to me to consider a refurbished one. And even more so with the current landscape, where Apple’s smartphone pricing continues to rise and it’s unlikely we’ll see a reduction—tariffs or not—in the upcoming iPhone 17.

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