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- Thursday April 23
- 03:35 pmOpenAI teases GPT-5.5 model upgrade for ChatGPT in cryptic message
OpenAI is expected to be nearing an announcement around GPT-5.5, its next model upgrade to ChatGPT. A cryptic post on X includes a hidden teaser, suggesting the news is coming soon. more…03:32 pmDeals: M5 Pro MacBook Pro up to $220 off, M5 Max models up to $400 off, M3 iPad Air clearance $250 off, more | 9 to 5 MacDeals: M5 Pro MacBook Pro up to $220 off, M5 Max models up to $400 off, M3 iPad Air clearance $250 off, more
Today’s 9to5Toys Lunch Break is headlined by this 2TB 14-inch M5 Pro MacBook Pro hitting its best price yet at $170 off alongside Apple’s wild 8TB M5 Max MacBook Pro at $400 off, and some nano-texture models $220 off. Amazon’s M3 iPad Air clearance deals are back at up to $250 off and we also have Apple’s 11-inch 1TB M5 iPad Pro at $150 off. Head below for a closer look. more…03:30 pmThis Anker 3-in-1 charging stand quickly powers up your iPhone [Review] ★★★★☆
No patience for slow wireless chargers? Then you need to check out the Anker Prime Wireless Charging Station. It delivers up to 25W, and so can give an iPhone 17 a nearly 50% charge in half an hour. There’s even a fan to keep things cool. At the same time, the accessory boasts charging mats […] (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:55 pmAI songs are flooding Apple Music but nobody is actually listening to them
Apple Music VP Oliver Schusser says that while AI-generated music now makes up a large share of submissions to Apple Music, it accounts for almost none of what people actually play.Oliver SchusserIn an interview published on April 22, Schusser highlighted an imbalance. He explained that more than a third of tracks delivered to the service are "100% AI," but listening remains below 0.5%.Apple is taking proactive steps before AI-generated music distorts the platform's integrity. "We have developed — and we've never talked about this — but we've developed technology in-house that would allow us to exactly see what music people are delivering us," Schusser said, "what AI [model] it is and all that."The company is asking labels and distributors to disclose AI use in songs, while also relying on internal systems to analyze incoming content and verify those disclosures. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:46 pmToday in Apple history: App Store hits 1 billion downloads
On April 23, 2009, the App Store reached a remarkable milestone less than a year after opening its virtual doors: 1 billion downloads. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:45 pmApple cuts interest rate for Apple Card Savings accounts
Apple has just implemented an interest rate cut for Apple Card Savings account holders that’s effective immediately. Here are the details. more…02:35 pmNew MacWhisper CLI lets users automate AI transcriptions from the Terminal
Command-line interfaces are having a moment, and the great MacWhisper transcription app is here for it. MacWhisper CLI has arrived, giving Mac users a new way to run AI transcription workflows from the Terminal. more…02:32 pmAnker’s 4-in-1 charge-anywhere kit is a massive 55% off—grab it all for just $45
Macworld Anker 4-in-1 Charging Kit View Deal (function () { document.querySelector("#sticky-promo-block a").addEventListener("click", function(e) { const debug = document.location.host.search(/lndo.site|go-vip.net/) !== -1; const text = this.closest("#sticky-promo-block").querySelector("p.promo-title").textContent; const data = { event: "stickyConversionUnitClick", eventCategory: "Sticky Conversion", eventAction: "Click", eventLabel: text }; if(debug)console.log("Sticky Conversion CLick - pushing to dataLayer: ", data); dataLayer.push(data); return true; }); })(); Sometimes, you need an all-in-one kit that will get you charging things at home, in the car, or anywhere else you might be. This Anker 4-in-1 kit is a jaw-dropping 55 percent off at Woot right now, which brings the price down to $45. I don’t know about you, but something’s always charging in my car, be it the phone I forgot to plug in overnight, my watch, or the kid’s gadgets. Well, this kit comes with an amazing 67W car charger that features a USB-A port and not one, but two USB-C ports. That’s absolutely amazing, as everyone in the car will get to recharge things in an emergency. There’s also a 45W USB-C wall charger in this pack, enough power to fast-charge your iPhone, your iPad, AirPods, and even fill up your MacBook Air. What else is there in this kit? Well, two USB-C cables. One of them is a shorter 3ft cable that will serve you well when charging things at your desk, for instance, and a longer 6ft model that will definitely reach the back seat when you’re traveling. This versatile combo eliminates the need to purchase separate adapters or cables, and at $45, it’s such a smart purchase! Grab this deal sooner rather than later because Woot deals aren’t here for a long time. Since Woot is an Amazon company, your Prime Free Shipping perk will apply here, too.02:31 pmFuture MacBook notch may get replaced with removable cameras on a rotating screen
The FaceTime camera on a MacBook Pro is famously not as good as one on an iPhone, but research shows Apple keeps working on it and may have decided that the answer involves mounting larger cameras on a rotating display.The notch could be replaced by a protruding camera — but one which could also be repositionedMaybe you don't give the camera notch on the MacBook Pro a second thought. But even if you do and you loathe it, and you believe it's taking up screen real estate, the one thing you can't say is that it is thick.It's quite wide, wide enough that you wonder why it doesn't include Face ID yet. But it doesn't add to the thickness of the MacBook Pro lid, and presumably it's this thinness that limits how good a camera system Apple can fit in there. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:29 pmApple Savings APY hits record low of 3.50% in first 2026 cut
Apple Card users are seeing returns shrink once more as Apple Savings lowers its APY following continued rate pressure from the Federal Reserve.Apple Savings sees yet another APY decreaseOn Thursday, Apple advised customers of a 0.15% annual percentage yield (APY) decrease on Apple Savings accounts. Before this drop, the Apple Savings APY was 3.65%, a rate set in May 2025.This decrease affects all Apple Savings customers. It comes after the Federal Reserve reduced its rates in December 2025. Continue Reading on AppleInsider | Discuss on our Forums02:25 pmApple Music exec said the thing about lossless audio that we were all thinking
Apple vice president Oliver Schusser, who leads Apple Music, was recently interviewed by Billboard and had some interesting things to share about Apple Music, lossless audio, and more. more…02:24 pmApple Maps brings Miami F1 Grand Prix to life with stunning 3D experience
Racing fans will get 3D Apple Maps for the Miami F1 Grand Prix starting May 3 -- and similar immersive content for upcoming F1 races. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)02:15 pmApple investors barely blinked after Tim Cook was nudged out – and many seem positively thrilled | Mac Daily NewsApple investors barely blinked after Tim Cook was nudged out – and many seem positively thrilled
Apple dropped the news after market close on April 20, 2026: After 15 years as CEO, Tim Cook would step down effective September 1st… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.02:15 pmBest places to buy a refurbished iPhone and where to get the best deals
Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be if you shop in the right places. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable and trusted source for second-hand iPhones. The latest Apple iPhone is the iPhone 17 series (17e, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max in that price order), but you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 16/15/14/13 series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 16 model, but has discontinued the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older the iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. You can also save money in some stores by selecting a phone with visible signs of use. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Know what you need? Quick links to trusted refurbished iPhone sellers Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (US) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (UK) Music Magpie iPhone deals (UK) Why buy a refurbished phone? Refurbished phones are much cheaper than new ones, and you can still buy a premium model. Shop from a one of a reputable store and you can trust that the refurbished phone has undergone professional testing and quality control before being sold, and should come with a warranty for peace of mind. Buying refurbished is also kinder on the environment as reducing electronic waste means less unnecessary landfill. Trusted retailers ensure that the iPhone has been fully data wiped and factory reset. Battery life must be a minimum of 80%. Start with your budget and see which model you can afford. You might be able to be a later iPhone if you don’t mind it having some visible signs of use, or you may prefer to own an earlier model that’s pristine. Buy from a trustworthy source where you get a warranty. Which older iPhones are still worth buying? It really isn’t worth buying any iPhone older than the series 12 as before then none included Apple’s MagSafe wireless-charging technology, instead relying on painfully slow Qi. And we’d start with at least the iPhone 13 as it had a much better battery life than the 12, and the 12 will lose Apple software support in 2027. The iPhone 13 should ensure at least two more years of iOS updates. The best older iPhones worth buying are the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. The 16 and 16 Pro are great but the 15 will be cheaper and has the same USB-C charging port as the 16 and 17 and so helps you consolidate on charging cables with your other Apple devices. The iPhone 14 series should still represent excellent value with a lot of the latest features, and look at the iPhone 13 Pro for a balance of premium features on the tightest budget. For smaller iPhones, the compact iPhone 13 mini remains a top choice, while the 13-14 series provides the best balance of price and performance if you don’t mind sticking with the Lightning connector rather than move up to USB-C. Refurbished iPhone quality You can save money buying a trusted refurbished iPhone from Apple’s Refurbished Store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. Except for the Apple Refurbished Store, where all refurbished iPhones are top quality, the prices listed below from BackMarket are rated as Fair (“Visible signs of use”), but Good (“Light signs of use”), Excellent (“Almost no signs of use”) and Premium (“Almost signs of use” and “Best quality”) are also available for a bit extra. The Amazon Renewed Store rates its refurbished iPhones as either Acceptable (“Scratches visible”), Good (“Light scratches”), Premium or Excellent (“No signs of cosmetic damage”). If you don’t mind a few scratches you will save the most money, but for higher-quality it is often worth paying the extra for the fewest visible marks. That’s where Apple Refurbished Store comes out tops, but also at the highest prices. Best Refurbished iPhone deals We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Prices below: Stock as of 04/23/26—can change day by day, including different iPhone models available. Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $699 (save up to $170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $759 (save up to $210) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $526 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $541 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $605 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $791 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $569 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $569 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $529 (save up to $140) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $619 (save up to $160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $679 (save up to $300) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $849 (save up to $310) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $386 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $495 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $564 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, from $408 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $519 Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.K. Stock as of 04/23/26, can change day by day. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £589 (save up to £160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £669 (save up to £170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £779 (save up to £220) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £949 (save up to £240) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £480 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £504 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £580 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £621 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-256GB, from £465 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £712 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £599 (save up to £150) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £679 (save up to £320) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £849 (save up to £330) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from £310 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £356 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £388 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £445 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, £555 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, £555 Apple They’re the links to the most recent iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 series on the refurb store but see the main links at the top of this article to see all the current refurbished deals from iPhone 13 and later. You can find more of the best deals on iPhone handsets in our main feature. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max but that may well be different when you visit. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Take careful note of the phone’s quality rating as the cheapest will have more visible signs of wear (stratches and scuffs) than the more expensive Excellent and Premium buys. Premium-quality iPhones also have the highest-rated batteries and only Apple parts. Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within a year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. See above for more details on Back Market’s quality rankings. Music Magpie: A good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones with a one-year warranty. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones, with a one-year Return to Base warranty. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good or Great. 90-day warranty. AT&T – 14-day return and 90-day warranty. T-Mobile – 20-day return and 90-day warranty. UK carriers GiffGaff – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good, Excellent or Like New. 12-month warranty. Mobiles.co.uk – phones are rated as either Good (Grade C), Very Good (Grade B) or Excellent (Grade A). 12-month warranty. O2 Like New – call all its refurbished phones Like New. 12-month warranty. Vodafone – phones are rated as either Good, Great, or Pristine. 14-day return and lifetime warranty. Carphone Warehouse – phones are rated as either Good or Excellent. 12-month warranty. Fonehouse Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Many of the iPhones on eBay will second-hand, direct from owners so won’t be properly refurbished, quality-checked or come with a warranty. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new. The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing or even disingenuous.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device. Pay attention to refurbished warranties Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac02:15 pmBest places to buy a refurbished iPhone and where to get the best deals
Macworld If you’re on the hunt for an iPhone but your budget doesn’t quite stretch to Apple’s newest models, buying a used or refurbished iPhone is a great way to pick up a bargain. While this might sound like a risky option, it doesn’t have to be if you shop in the right places. Specialist retailers offer warranties and check devices before reselling them. We’ll help you find a reputable and trusted source for second-hand iPhones. The latest Apple iPhone is the iPhone 17 series (17e, 17, 17 Pro, 17 Pro Max in that price order), but you can get excellent deals on older phones including the 16/15/14/13 series. (Apple still sells the standard iPhone 16 model, but has discontinued the 16 Pro and 16 Pro Max, which means refurbished is the way to go with those models.) The older the iPhone you’re prepared to buy, the bigger the savings you can enjoy. You can also save money in some stores by selecting a phone with visible signs of use. In this article, we cover everything there is to know about safely buying a refurbished iPhone, whether you’re looking to buy SIM-free or on contract. Know what you need? Quick links to trusted refurbished iPhone sellers Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Apple Certified Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (US) Back Market Refurbished iPhone deals (UK) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (US) Amazon Renewed iPhone deals (UK) Music Magpie iPhone deals (UK) Why buy a refurbished phone? Refurbished phones are much cheaper than new ones, and you can still buy a premium model. Shop from a one of a reputable store and you can trust that the refurbished phone has undergone professional testing and quality control before being sold, and should come with a warranty for peace of mind. Buying refurbished is also kinder on the environment as reducing electronic waste means less unnecessary landfill. Trusted retailers ensure that the iPhone has been fully data wiped and factory reset. Battery life must be a minimum of 80%. Start with your budget and see which model you can afford. You might be able to be a later iPhone if you don’t mind it having some visible signs of use, or you may prefer to own an earlier model that’s pristine. Buy from a trustworthy source where you get a warranty. Which older iPhones are still worth buying? It really isn’t worth buying any iPhone older than the series 12 as before then none included Apple’s MagSafe wireless-charging technology, instead relying on painfully slow Qi. And we’d start with at least the iPhone 13 as it had a much better battery life than the 12, and the 12 will lose Apple software support in 2027. The iPhone 13 should ensure at least two more years of iOS updates. The best older iPhones worth buying are the iPhone 15 and 15 Pro. The 16 and 16 Pro are great but the 15 will be cheaper and has the same USB-C charging port as the 16 and 17 and so helps you consolidate on charging cables with your other Apple devices. The iPhone 14 series should still represent excellent value with a lot of the latest features, and look at the iPhone 13 Pro for a balance of premium features on the tightest budget. For smaller iPhones, the compact iPhone 13 mini remains a top choice, while the 13-14 series provides the best balance of price and performance if you don’t mind sticking with the Lightning connector rather than move up to USB-C. Refurbished iPhone quality You can save money buying a trusted refurbished iPhone from Apple’s Refurbished Store and from resellers such as BackMarket or Amazon Renewed. Except for the Apple Refurbished Store, where all refurbished iPhones are top quality, the prices listed below from BackMarket are rated as Fair (“Visible signs of use”), but Good (“Light signs of use”), Excellent (“Almost no signs of use”) and Premium (“Almost signs of use” and “Best quality”) are also available for a bit extra. The Amazon Renewed Store rates its refurbished iPhones as either Acceptable (“Scratches visible”), Good (“Light scratches”), Premium or Excellent (“No signs of cosmetic damage”). If you don’t mind a few scratches you will save the most money, but for higher-quality it is often worth paying the extra for the fewest visible marks. That’s where Apple Refurbished Store comes out tops, but also at the highest prices. Best Refurbished iPhone deals We have details of all the best resellers of refurbished iPhones below. Just be aware that the resellers can get a bit creative with the original pricing. Prices below: Stock as of 04/23/26—can change day by day, including different iPhone models available. Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $699 (save up to $170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $759 (save up to $210) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $526 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $541 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $605 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $791 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from $569 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $569 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.S. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $529 (save up to $140) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from $619 (save up to $160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $679 (save up to $300) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $849 (save up to $310) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from $386 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $495 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from $564 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, from $408 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from $519 Refurbished iPhone 16 deals U.K. Stock as of 04/23/26, can change day by day. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £589 (save up to £160) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £669 (save up to £170) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £779 (save up to £220) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £949 (save up to £240) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16, 128GB-512GB, from £480 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £504 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £580 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £621 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16, 128GB-256GB, from £465 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £712 Refurbished iPhone 15 deals U.K. Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £599 (save up to £150) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £679 (save up to £320) Apple Refurbished Store: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £849 (save up to £330) BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15, 128GB-512GB, from £310 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB-512GB, from £356 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro, 128GB-1TB, from £388 BackMarket: Refurbished iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, from £445 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15, 128GB-256GB, £555 Amazon Renewed: iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB-1TB, £555 Apple They’re the links to the most recent iPhone 16 and iPhone 15 series on the refurb store but see the main links at the top of this article to see all the current refurbished deals from iPhone 13 and later. You can find more of the best deals on iPhone handsets in our main feature. Best place to buy a refurbished iPhone Apple itself should be your first port of call, if only to establish a benchmark of what is reasonable to pay for your chosen handset: check to see if the Apple Refurbished Store has the iPhone model you’re looking for. (That’s the U.S. store. British readers should try the U.K. Apple Refurbished Store.) At time of writing Apple is selling refurbished models of the iPhone 16 Pro, 16 Plus, 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max but that may well be different when you visit. Apple’s refurbished store tends to be the most expensive place to buy refurbished iPhones–although it’s still significantly cheaper than buying new. (The standard reduction on the Apple Refurbished Store is 15 percent.) But there are advantages that come with this higher price. The refurb phones all come with the same one-year limited warranty that you’ll find on the brand-new versions, for example. And it’s worth noting that any parts used in the refurb will be official Apple ones, and all devices come with brand-new batteries. It’s worth shopping around, however, to make sure you’re getting a good deal. There are plenty of other companies that make a living from refurbishing and selling iPhones. Here are some of the more prominent resellers of refurbished and used iPhones: Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.S. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. Take careful note of the phone’s quality rating as the cheapest will have more visible signs of wear (stratches and scuffs) than the more expensive Excellent and Premium buys. Premium-quality iPhones also have the highest-rated batteries and only Apple parts. Amazon Renewed Store: This site’s greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within a year of receiving your product. Best Buy: Best Buy doesn’t offer a great deal of information on pre-owned iPhones’ condition, but you can return within 14 days if the item is “unopened or defective in any way.” Walmart: Walmart doesn’t sell refurbished iPhones directly; rather, they are sourced from other sellers. Return policies vary from seller to seller, but there are minimum requirements that apply universally. Refurbished iPhone sellers in the U.K. Back Market: You get 30 days to change your mind and a 12-month warranty… or occasionally more. See above for more details on Back Market’s quality rankings. Music Magpie: A good place to start looking for refurbished iPhones with a one-year warranty. You may find that sales reduce the price still further. Hoxton Macs: Don’t let the Mac in the name fool you. Hoxton Macs has started selling refurbished iPhones, with a one-year Return to Base warranty. Reboxed: Pledges that devices “are fully tested and in perfect working order.” All come with a 12-month no quibble warranty. Amazon Renewed Store: While you can’t really sell on Amazon Renewed unless you’re a business, those looking to buy a refurbished iPhone Amazon Renewed have plenty of options to choose from. Its greatest benefit is that purchases are all backed by Amazon’s standard returns policy and its “Renewed Guarantee” lets you get a refund or replacement within 1 year of receiving your product. Envirofone: Also allows you to trade in your old phone for credit towards purchasing a refurbished phone. Where to buy a refurbished iPhone on contract You can pick up refurbished phones on contract as well from the following carriers and resellers: US carriers Verizon – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good or Great. 90-day warranty. AT&T – 14-day return and 90-day warranty. T-Mobile – 20-day return and 90-day warranty. UK carriers GiffGaff – phones are rated as either Good, Very Good, Excellent or Like New. 12-month warranty. Mobiles.co.uk – phones are rated as either Good (Grade C), Very Good (Grade B) or Excellent (Grade A). 12-month warranty. O2 Like New – call all its refurbished phones Like New. 12-month warranty. Vodafone – phones are rated as either Good, Great, or Pristine. 14-day return and lifetime warranty. Carphone Warehouse – phones are rated as either Good or Excellent. 12-month warranty. Fonehouse Outside of specialist retailers, there’s also eBay and eBay UK (just be sure to check the seller’s feedback and read the descriptions carefully), and, in the UK, CeX. Many of the iPhones on eBay will second-hand, direct from owners so won’t be properly refurbished, quality-checked or come with a warranty. Buying older iPhones new on contract Another way to dampen the financial impact of buying a new iPhone is to go down the tried and tested route of contracts offered by mobile providers. You’ll find older iPhone models in the online stores of many networks. Prices change all the time, so we’d recommend reading our Best iPhone deals guide on a regular basis to see which offers are currently available. Should I buy a refurbished iPhone? What is refurbished? You might be concerned about buying a refurbished handset, thinking that it would be like buying a second-hand iPhone, but there’s no reason to be worried. Remember: refurbished and second-hard aren’t the same thing. Refurbished iPhones are pre-owned but are wiped, tested, and repaired to work like new. The iPhones Apple sells in the Refurbished Store were returned to Apple for a variety of reasons: The previous owner could have exercised their consumer rights and returned the handset unused within 14 days (as per Apple’s refund and exchange policy). The iPhone may have been used as a demonstration model. The iPhone may have been returned to Apple due to a fault. The third point on that list may concern you, but you can be sure that Apple will have identified and fixed any faults before reselling the device. The company says refurbished products undergo “full functional testing” and are provided with “genuine Apple part replacements (if necessary).” They also get “a thorough cleaning,” incidentally. There are plenty of benefits to buying a refurbished iPhone: You get a one-year warranty. You get 90 days of tech support. Because you’re buying from Apple directly, there are no shipping costs and free returns. You can also take advantage of Apple’s 14-day returns policy if you change your mind. (Note however that Apple isn’t the only seller to offer such a policy.) Refurbished vs second-hand: What’s the difference? If it’s not already clear, a refurbished iPhone is tested and repaired so the handset works like new (or as close to new as possible). A second-hand iPhone, on the other hand, is simply sold as is, which means the device may not last as long, and may have small imperfections or defects. The battery in particular will be a worry in the long term. There are other risks to buying second-hand too. If the previous owner hasn’t dissociated their Apple ID from the device you may get permanently locked out of the iPhone. Unfortunately, Apple’s customer service wouldn’t be able to help you unlock the phone either, as the company has strict security policies. Such a situation would be less of a concern if you know and can easily contact the previous owner (and they remember their Apple ID details), but we’d prefer avoiding such complications to start with. This is just another reason why buying refurbished is a more reliable route to go if you did want to pick up a previously owned iPhone. What does refurbished Grade A mean? When you shop refurbished you might see grade scores such as A, B, or C; this indicates the condition of the phone. Is it dinged up? Does it have scratches? Or is it completely blemish-free and pristine? The grade gives you a general idea. We say “general” because these grades aren’t set by an independent body, which means they can vary from retailer to retailer. This is how the grades usually break down: Grade A: Looks like new or has very few signs of wear Grade B: Might have some minor scratches and some wear Grade C: Looks used and has obvious signs of wear But some sites go with Fair, Good, and Excellent or some other variation. (One site we’ve visited appears to grade everything as A plus a number–so a comparatively poor handset would be rated as A3. This may strike some readers as a little confusing or even disingenuous.) Needless to say, Grade A/A1/Excellent refurbished devices will be more expensive than Grade C, but you’ll still be paying far less than you would for a brand-new device. Pay attention to refurbished warranties Given that the quality of refurbished iPhone devices can vary from retailer to retailer, it’s important to pay attention to the warranty. How long is the phone covered? The warranty allows you to get help or free repairs from the seller if you run into any issues after purchase. Retailers typically offer a year, and many allow “quibble-free” returns if you change your mind within 14 days. Check the fine print. More refurbished Apple guides Should I buy a refurbished Apple Watch? Why you should buy a refurbished Mac Should I buy a refurbished iPad & best deals Where to buy a refurbished MacBook or Mac02:10 pmNew Apple TV space-race thriller series is coming soon, trailer here
Star City is a new space-race thriller series coming to Apple TV next month, and the full trailer has just dropped. more…02:00 pmHere’s one thing John Ternus must not screw up as Apple CEO
There's a critical mistake John Ternus must avoid to ensure Apple's continued success in the tech industry. (via Cult of Mac - Your source for the latest Apple news, rumors, analysis, reviews, how-tos and deals.)01:30 pmTim Cook regrets 2012 Apple Maps launch, hails Apple Watch as proudest achievement
In an internal Apple town hall meeting held shortly after the announcement of his planned departure as CEO, Tim Cook addressed employees… The post appeared first on MacDailyNews.01:30 pmHands-on: Satechi’s ChargeView brings real-time power monitoring to your tech
Last year’s charger trend was the built-in retractable cable. It seemed like overnight, every charger had one. But now, there seems to be a new growing trend in the charging market: diagnostic displays. I have seen more and more chargers add small LED or LCD displays to show simple stats like charging speeds. The nerd in me absolutely loves this. The fact that I no longer need a separate tool to test out charging speed claims has been great. The latest charger to join this trend is Satechi’s new ChargeView 140W charger. It does what you expect from a high-end desk charger, like charge up to four devices via USB-C, and it, of course, adds a display, but it does much more than just give you the charging speed. Here is what you should know! more…01:04 pmJohn Ternus’ promotion to Apple CEO may have claimed its first casualty
Macworld Following this week’s surprise announcement that Tim Cook will step down from his role as Apple CEO in September, analysts are busy working out all the ramifications. Most obviously the Cook-shaped gap at the top of the company will be filled by a promoted John Ternus, but that in turn will lead to a succession of other changes, including both promotions and departures. One senior member of staff who is weighing up his options, according to a report this week, is Mike Rockwell. In an article for Bloomberg, Mark Gurman warns that the new CEO faces an “exodus of top talent” and names Rockwell as one key employee who has been considering either leaving the company entirely or moving into an advisory role. (Such roles can be a fig leaf for departures which could spook the shareholders, as seems to have been the case with Jony Ive.) In both cases, the change would reportedly take place next year. Rockwell became known to Apple fans through his supervisory work on Vision Pro. While it was something of a commercial flop, the success of this project (at least from a logistical and technical point of view), coupled with Siri’s ongoing failures, meant Rockwell was then tasked with improving Apple’s troubled voice assistant, an assignment that has conspicuously not been achieved at the time of writing. According to Gurman, however, the magnitude of this task is not what has prompted Rockwell to think about leaving. Rather, the issue is about the new structure of Apple under Ternus, and Rockwell’s ability to advance within that. “He has had reservations about reporting to his new boss, software chief Craig Federighi,” Gurman explains, “and desires a larger role.” He doesn’t doubt his ability to fulfil the responsibilities currently assigned to him. He wants more of them. Ternus doesn’t take up the CEO mantle until the fall, which leaves plenty of time for him to convince Rockwell of the merits of his vision for Apple. He may not even know yet how he wants to structure and run the company, although by all accounts, this is a transition that’s been in the works for some time. It’s also possible that Rockwell’s ambivalence about staying is a negotiating position intended to leverage his importance to the Siri project into a better role and job title. We’ll find out more later in the year, but Gurman feels it’s unlikely Rockwell will leave before the Siri revamp is complete. Cook and Ternus will hope that’s true. But one thing’s for sure: Cook’s announcement is sure to spur some changes to key roles at Apple this year. John Ternus just has to ensure that acceptable churn doesn’t turn into a succession crisis.