The summary of ‘I bought an iPhone from Amazon and Apple Certified Refurbished – which is better?’

This summary of the video was created by an AI. It might contain some inaccuracies.

00:00:0000:22:55

The video explores the pros and cons of purchasing refurbished iPhones, comparing two iPhone 12 Pro models obtained from Apple's certified refurbished store and Amazon. Key points include differences in quality, warranty, price, and physical condition. The Apple-certified phone, costing £589 (~$730), features a new battery and exterior, presenting as nearly new with no discernible wear. In contrast, the Amazon phone, priced at £348 (~$440), though in excellent condition, displays minor wear such as dust and slight scratches. Both phones exhibit 100% battery health and have satisfactory performance in display quality, cameras, and speakers. The presenter emphasizes the potential for significant savings with Amazon, alongside a standard warranty of above 80% battery health, but notes that Apple's higher refurbishing standards and the ability to add AppleCare could be more beneficial for long-term use. The video concludes by stressing the importance of purchasing from reputable sources and ensuring solid warranty coverage.

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the advantages and potential pitfalls of buying refurbished iPhones, specifically focusing on two models purchased from Apple’s certified refurbished store and Amazon. They compare the quality, warranty, and price of the two iPhones, both of which are the iPhone 12 Pro with 128 GB. The iPhone from Apple, priced at £589 (~$730), comes with a new exterior shell and battery. The Amazon counterpart, costing £348 (~$440), offers many more storage and color options, and is described as being in “excellent” condition with rapid next-day delivery. The video then transitions to unboxing the phones, with an emphasis on examining their packaging and initial condition.

00:03:00

In this part of the video, the presenter unboxes what appears to be an iPhone 12 Pro along with several accessories. They mention receiving a pen, a 5-watt wall plug that appears to be from a third party, a USB-A to lightning cable, and a SIM ejector tool. The phone is then examined closely for its condition, color, and potential scratches, particularly noting some minor marks around the camera lenses. The phone boots up successfully, and the presenter highlights plans to compare various features such as speakers, cameras, and battery health with another phone. Overall, the initial impressions of the phone and included accessories are positive, indicating it’s in excellent condition and ready to use.

00:06:00

In this part of the video, the narrator unboxes an Apple Certified Pre-Owned iPhone 12 Pro. They comment on the impressive presentation and condition, noting it feels like opening a brand-new device rather than a refurbished one. The packaging includes typical iPhone components such as the manual, a unique SIM ejector tool, an Apple sticker, and a USB-C to lightning cable, though it lacks a wall plug, unlike Amazon packages. The physical inspection reveals no scratches and the phone appears flawless, leading the narrator to speculate if it’s old stock repackaged as refurbished. The exterior and battery are confirmed to be entirely new, emphasizing its high quality and longevity potential.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the presenter compares two iPhone 12 Pro units—one purchased from Apple and the other from Amazon—after unboxing and cleaning them. The key focus is on the physical condition of both phones. The Apple-sourced phone shows no signs of use, with no scratches on the display, marks on the frame, or dust buildup, appearing completely new. In contrast, the Amazon phone, while described as in excellent condition, has minor imperfections: some dust and pocket lint around the mute switch and lightning port, residue near the speakers, and slight scratches around the camera lens. Despite these minor blemishes, the Amazon phone still looks great overall, but not as pristine as the Apple one. Both phones have no scratches on their displays or backs.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the presenter compares the battery health and display characteristics of two phones, an Apple iPhone and an Amazon phone. They confirm that both phones have 100% battery health, ensuring optimal battery performance. The presenter notes a difference in display temperature, with the Apple iPhone appearing cooler and the Amazon phone warmer, even after disabling features like true tone and night shift. They further illustrate this by comparing both phones to an iPhone 15 Pro Max, suggesting that minor variations in display temperature might be due to the OLED manufacturing process. Finally, the presenter discusses the potential issue of burn-in, which can affect any OLED display, including those on the iPhone 12.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the presenter assesses the condition and performance of two recent iPhones by examining their displays, cameras, and speakers. They start by checking for burn-in on the screens using a gray backdrop and high brightness, determining that neither phone shows signs of burn-in, indicating good display condition. They then compare the selfie and back cameras, noting both phones handle exposure adjustments quickly and maintain good focus and stability, even praising the optical image stabilization. Moving on to speaker quality, they find that both phones provide clear audio without distortion, with stereo sound functionality working well. The presenter concludes by affirming that the refurbished iPhones are in great condition and can be a cost-effective alternative to newer models.

00:18:00

In this part of the video, the presenter compares an iPhone from Apple with one purchased from Amazon. Highlighting the unboxing experience, the presenter notes that the Apple phone feels new, including packaging and accessories, while acknowledging that the Amazon phone was in better condition than expected, with only minor signs of use. Both phones had 100% battery health, though Amazon only guarantees above 80%. Warranty and return policies are similar for both, but Apple allows adding Apple Care for more affordable repairs. Price-wise, Amazon’s phone is 40% cheaper, offering better value despite Apple’s higher physical condition quality.

00:21:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the pros and cons of purchasing a refurbished iPhone from Amazon versus buying directly from Apple or other sources. They emphasize the importance of battery health and physical condition, noting that Amazon offers significant price savings and good warranty deals, alongside a minimum 80% battery health guarantee. However, they suggest that for a longer-term investment, purchasing from Apple might be preferable due to higher refurbishing standards, including complete replacement of the phone’s exterior and battery, and the option to add AppleCare. The presenter advises ensuring any purchase comes with a solid warranty and from a reputable source to make the investment worthwhile. They conclude by recommending their “iPhone first 25 things to do” video and providing purchase links in the description.

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