Prime Members Refurbished Excellent Apple iPhone SE3 5G 64GB Midnight Unlocked Smartphone $132.99

SlyMonster

Jul 08, 2025 09:57 PM

1,416 Posts

Joined Oct 2006

SlyMonsterJul 08, 2025 09:57 PM

1,416 Posts

Our community has rated this post as helpful. If you agree, why not thank SlyMonster

I thought Amazon had great prices on unlocked iPhones as well last year and wanted to share my experience in case anyone is interested. The phone arrived and would not work on my network; turns out it was actually not unlocked. Amazon customer service tried their best to get the phone unlocked with the carrier, but the original owner would have had to unlock it. It had to be returned to Amazon as a result. Normally this would not have been an issue, however these phones cannot be returned to any of my regular return locations, like UPS or Staples. Turns out IPHONES HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO AN AMAZON PHYSICAL STORE, like Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go and the nearest one to me is over an hour away. This was a hassle.

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BabyBubba

Original Poster

Pro

Jul 08, 2025 10:20 PM

4,466 Posts

Joined Apr 2021

BabyBubbaJul 08, 2025 10:20 PM

Original Poster

Pro

4,466 Posts

Quote from SlyMonster

:

I thought Amazon had great prices on unlocked iPhones as well last year and wanted to share my experience in case anyone is interested. The phone arrived and would not work on my network; turns out it was actually not unlocked. Amazon customer service tried their best to get the phone unlocked with the carrier, but the original owner would have had to unlock it. It had to be returned to Amazon as a result. Normally this would not have been an issue, however these phones cannot be returned to any of my regular return locations, like UPS or Staples. Turns out IPHONES HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO AN AMAZON PHYSICAL STORE, like Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go and the nearest one to me is over an hour away. This was a hassle.

Thanks for sharing your experience. Good information for those of us who don't have an Amazon retail location nearby in case of an out of the box problem. I perused some recent reviews and it appears that your issue may be relatively uncommon, but nonetheless worth noting for potential buyers.

LTunedX

Jul 09, 2025 05:40 AM

93 Posts

Joined Apr 2009

LTunedXJul 09, 2025 05:40 AM

93 Posts

Quote from SlyMonster

:

I thought Amazon had great prices on unlocked iPhones as well last year and wanted to share my experience in case anyone is interested. The phone arrived and would not work on my network; turns out it was actually not unlocked. Amazon customer service tried their best to get the phone unlocked with the carrier, but the original owner would have had to unlock it. It had to be returned to Amazon as a result. Normally this would not have been an issue, however these phones cannot be returned to any of my regular return locations, like UPS or Staples. Turns out IPHONES HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO AN AMAZON PHYSICAL STORE, like Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go and the nearest one to me is over an hour away. This was a hassle.

I had this same issue before for a brand new iPad that I wanted to return (unopened), and the closest amazon store location was really far away! So instead, I opened up a chat with an Amazon customer service rep, and he was able to manually generate me a UPS label and i just dropped it off at my nearest UPS Store Smilie

2

zdiddy987

Pro

Jul 09, 2025 05:47 AM

3,937 Posts

Joined Jul 2009

zdiddy987

Pro

Jul 09, 2025 05:47 AM

3,937 Posts

Would this be major downgrade from an iPhone 14?

1

rastatech

Jul 09, 2025 05:57 AM

1,216 Posts

Joined Jul 2018

rastatechJul 09, 2025 05:57 AM

1,216 Posts

No promise of any battery level, "excellent" seems to be a bit of spectrum. For that money then maybe get the iPhone 13 new from Total for $160 or so with port-in, or fetch a mint one from used sites where you know you will get >85% battery health at least.

I think straight talk had these as refurbished for $100 before and they came with 100% battery in most cases.

4

Spaceman6969

Jul 09, 2025 06:01 AM

15,446 Posts

Joined Dec 2015

Spaceman6969Jul 09, 2025 06:01 AM

15,446 Posts

Quote from SlyMonster

:

I thought Amazon had great prices on unlocked iPhones as well last year and wanted to share my experience in case anyone is interested. The phone arrived and would not work on my network; turns out it was actually not unlocked. Amazon customer service tried their best to get the phone unlocked with the carrier, but the original owner would have had to unlock it. It had to be returned to Amazon as a result. Normally this would not have been an issue, however these phones cannot be returned to any of my regular return locations, like UPS or Staples. Turns out IPHONES HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO AN AMAZON PHYSICAL STORE, like Amazon Fresh or Amazon Go and the nearest one to me is over an hour away. This was a hassle.

Then it is not worth buying this. Folks with busy lifestyle simply cannot afford to lose more time.

4

HaysuChristo

Jul 09, 2025 08:10 AM

412 Posts

Joined May 2015

HaysuChristoJul 09, 2025 08:10 AM

412 Posts

Quote from zdiddy987

:

Would this be major downgrade from an iPhone 14?

Yes. Unless you absolutely have to have the smaller sized phone.

BabyBubba

Original Poster

Pro

Jul 09, 2025 12:33 PM

4,466 Posts

Joined Apr 2021

BabyBubbaJul 09, 2025 12:33 PM

Original Poster

Pro

4,466 Posts

Quote from zdiddy987

:

Would this be major downgrade from an iPhone 14?

Smaller screen, slightly slower processor than iPhone 14, basic cameras, less battery capacity. I have one of these and it's a great phone for my needs, but it's on the lower end of Apple's offerings. It's the same size as the old iPhone 6 and 7, but much faster with more features.

1

KonnichiWTF

Jul 09, 2025 03:58 PM

46 Posts

Joined Apr 2016

KonnichiWTFJul 09, 2025 03:58 PM

46 Posts

Quote from rastatech

:

No promise of any battery level, "excellent" seems to be a bit of spectrum. For that money then maybe get the iPhone 13 new from Total for $160 or so with port-in, or fetch a mint one from used sites where you know you will get >85% battery health at least. I think straight talk had these as refurbished for $100 before and they came with 100% battery in most cases.

I am not an expert by any means on Amazon Refurbs, but when you click on the Refurb-Excellent link it says "Battery: When included, batteries have a capacity that exceeds 80% of the original battery life."

1

BabyBubba

Original Poster

Pro

Jul 09, 2025 04:21 PM

4,466 Posts

Joined Apr 2021

BabyBubbaJul 09, 2025 04:21 PM

Original Poster

Pro

4,466 Posts

Quote from KonnichiWTF

:

I am not an expert by any means on Amazon Refurbs, but when you click on the Refurb-Excellent link it says "Battery: When included, batteries have a capacity that exceeds 80% of the original battery life."

I guess any refurb is a roll of the dice on battery condition, although I'd trust Amazon more than most resellers because of their support. Having replaced quite a few iPhone batteries over the years, it's usually straightforward with minimal technical skills required. Years ago aftermarket replacement batteries were sketchy at best, but they've gotten better and overall have given me good service in the last 8 years or so.

In my opinion, 85% life is time for replacement. I find that below that number performance rapidly degrades. Battery replacement on an older generation phone sort of goes with the territory when you're trying to get your best deal. My current factory battery is at 95% after 16 months of use so I'll probably get 3 years or more out of it.

1

wassily

Jul 09, 2025 04:28 PM

298 Posts

Joined Jan 2010

wassilyJul 09, 2025 04:28 PM

298 Posts

go with "premium" condition if you are more concerned about battery condition.
with "Excellent" I've gotten devices at 81%, 83% and 84%.
Others have posted that for the same devices I got, they got 88% or so.
Amazon is true to their description that you will get a battery life at 80% or above.
Most likely 80-90% otherwise they would be in the "premium" condition category.

1

IK47

Jul 09, 2025 05:42 PM

1,847 Posts

Joined Sep 2014

IK47Jul 09, 2025 05:42 PM

1,847 Posts

You are better off buying one from next prepaid deal and wait for unlock unless you need the phone asap. This model is on its way out and not too popular. I love this phone personally but 64 gig is not much these days without upgrade option for storage.

4

Spaceman6969

Jul 09, 2025 05:53 PM

15,446 Posts

Joined Dec 2015

Spaceman6969Jul 09, 2025 05:53 PM

15,446 Posts

Quote from IK47

:

You are better off buying one from next prepaid deal and wait for unlock unless you need the phone asap. This model is on its way out and not too popular. I love this phone personally but 64 gig is not much these days without upgrade option for storage.

I'm sorry but this deal is not good. It better to wait for next prepaid deal and wait for u lock. It more convenient and it gonna be brand new and CHEAPER too

4

echip

Jul 10, 2025 03:00 AM

985 Posts

Joined May 2008

echipJul 10, 2025 03:00 AM

985 Posts

Quote from zdiddy987

:

Would this be major downgrade from an iPhone 14?

Yes, the screen of this phone is extremely small for 2025, and battery is very weak especially if you buy it used.
If home button is a must for you, then this is the last one still has home button.
iPhone 8 also has home button but it only run on older iOS 16.

The other thing is this phone still has SIM card slot vs iPhone 14 no longer has one.
But if you need a bigger phone with physical SIM card, I would rather get an iPhone 11, 12, or 13.

Last edited by echip July 9, 2025 at 08:03 PM.

rastatech

Jul 10, 2025 04:38 AM

1,216 Posts

Joined Jul 2018

rastatechJul 10, 2025 04:38 AM

1,216 Posts

Quote from KonnichiWTF

:

I am not an expert by any means on Amazon Refurbs, but when you click on the Refurb-Excellent link it says "Battery: When included, batteries have a capacity that exceeds 80% of the original battery life."

but 80% is the bare minimum when buying used. Under 80% is what Apple replaces on Apple Care+.

1

Prime Members Refurbished Excellent Apple iPhone SE3 5G 64GB Midnight Unlocked Smartphone $132.99

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