How can I tell if an iPad is refurbished

The only source of Apple OEM refurbished devices is the Apple online refurb and clearance store (Certified Refurbished Products - Apple). If you buy a device claimed to be refurbished from anywhere else, you’d need to ask the seller about it.

All others offering refurbished devices are using their own or some third party refurbisher. And since no other refurbisher would have access to Apple OEM parts, they’ll be using used or salvaged parts (at best).

Some [but not all] refurbished devices have a model number that begins with the letter “F” - instead of “M”.

For example FPME2B/A would be a refurbished iPad Pro - whereas MPME2B/A is the equivalent model number when new. It should be noted that the “F” prefix indicates that the device has been through Apple’s official refurbishment process.

If the iPad indicates a model number beginning “F” in Settings > About, then you have a high degree of certainty that it is not new. The same cannot be said for an iPad that still indicates the standard model number.

Refurbished devices from Apple are also usually supplied in a brown box - and not the full retail version of packaging as seen with a new device.

You would hope that an honest retailer would indicate that you a purchasing a refurbished device - as opposed to new.

I hope this information and insight proves to be helpful to you.

The retailer needs to tell you.