Iphone 3rd party sellers

Hey, great question! There are definitely some reputable third-party sellers out there that use genuine Apple parts for refurbishment. Here are a few options worth checking out:

Back Market is one of the bigger platforms. They work with vetted refurbishers and replace the battery if it's below 80%. They come with a 1-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The savings can be pretty good, especially on older models.

Amazon Renewed is another solid option. They have different tiers, but their Premium tier comes with devices that have at least 80% battery health and a 1-year warranty. Being an Amazon Prime member can make returns and support easier too.

Gazelle has been around for a while and does a 30-point inspection on each device. They specialize in unlocked phones which is nice if you don't want to be tied to a carrier.

Best Buy also sells refurbished iPhones that go through their Geek Squad testing. You get the advantage of being able to inspect the phone in person before buying, and their return window is decent.

One thing to keep in mind though, not all third-party refurbishers use genuine Apple parts. Some may use high-quality aftermarket parts instead. If genuine Apple parts are a must for you, I'd recommend asking the seller directly before purchasing, or sticking with Apple Certified Refurbished if budget allows since they guarantee new batteries and outer shells.

Hope this helps you find a good deal!

+1 for Backmarket.

Other things to consider:

• if your device becomes Activation Locked due to inadvertently entering someone else's Apple Account on your device or the Apple Account on your device cannot be removed, then Activation Lock removal may not be possible. In most cases the proof of documentation required needs to be from Apple or Authorized Apple Seller, and the device would be a brick without it. Apple does not get involved in third party sales, so we have seen that third party receipts are not accepted.
• Apple may refuse service on your device if it has been previously serviced by an Unauthorized Service Provider or parts were installed that are not original Apple parts.
• Any warranty would not come from Apple, so you would have to deal with the third party for reimbursement. The device would not be eligible for AppleCare+ to extend that warranty.