iPhone 15 Pro Max
256GB • Like New
$980
6-month warranty
2026 BUYING GUIDE
Refurbished iPhone: the complete buying guide (and where to buy one in Montreal)
Grades, warranty, pitfalls to avoid — and real Montreal prices, from $80. Shop at 757 Rue Beaubien East, 30 seconds from Beaubien metro.
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A refurbished iPhone is a used phone that has been tested, restored if needed, cleaned and resold with a warranty.
Unlike a simple "used" iPhone sold person-to-person, a refurbished device goes through a verification process — at SubSell, every device is tested on more than 30 points (battery, screen, cameras, Face ID, network, iCloud) before going on sale, unlocked for all carriers and covered by a 6-month warranty.
Refurbished, used or new: what's the difference?
| New | Refurbished (shop) | Used (private sale) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | Full price | -40% to -70% | Varies |
| Tested & verified | ✔ | ✔ (30+ points) | ✘ |
| Warranty | 1 year Apple | 6 months SubSell | None |
| Guaranteed unlocked | ✔ | ✔ | To verify |
| iCloud lock risk | None | None | Real |
| Environmental footprint | New manufacturing | Reuse | Reuse |
A private-sale used phone can cost a bit less, but there's no recourse if the battery is dead or the device is iCloud-locked. A shop-refurbished phone is the price/safety sweet spot. For everything used-phone in Montreal, see our used phones in Montreal page.
Refurbished iPhone "grades", explained simply
- Grade A — like new: no visible marks at 20 cm, battery ≥ 85%.
- Grade B — very good condition: micro-scratches visible in the light, nothing on the lit screen.
- Grade C — good working condition: visible wear marks, 100% functional — the best value for money.
The in-store advantage is seeing the device before buying: at SubSell, you test the phone in hand before paying.
How much does a refurbished iPhone cost in Montreal? (starting-from prices)
| Model | Starting from |
|---|---|
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen) | $80 |
| iPhone 11 | $150 |
| iPhone 12 | $200 |
| iPhone 13 | $335 |
| iPhone 14 | $320 |
| iPhone 15 | $450 |
| iPhone 16 | $500 |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $800 |
| iPhone 17 Air | $950 |
Prices vary by condition, storage and inventory — see the full list and reserve on /en/buy. No deposit required: reserve online, test in-store, and pay only if the device is right for you (cash, Interac or card).
Updated: 2026-07-21
The checklist before buying any refurbished iPhone (anywhere)
- Battery: ask for the displayed battery health (Settings → Battery).
- iCloud lock: the device must be signed out of the previous owner’s account.
- Carrier unlock: works with Bell, Rogers, Telus, Vidéotron, Fizz, and more.
- Clean IMEI: not lost/stolen, not carrier-financed.
- Written warranty: 3 months minimum; SubSell offers 6.
- Hands-on test: cameras, speakers, Face ID/Touch ID, ports — before you pay.
How to check a used iPhone before buying — the full checklist →
Why buy refurbished at SubSell
SubSell is a Montreal shop (757 Rue Beaubien East, 30 seconds from Beaubien metro) specialized in device buyback and resale since 2017 — over 50,000 transactions and 1,500+ Google reviews at 4.9/5. Every refurbished iPhone is tested, unlocked, covered for 6 months, and you can try it in-store before paying.
Bonus: buying refurbished avoids manufacturing a new device, and unsellable devices are taken back free of charge and recycled to ARPE-Québec / Recyc-Québec standards, with data wiped before processing. Open 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Have an old phone? Sell it or trade it in on the spot and cut the price of your refurbished phone even further.
Current inventory
Updated 2026-05-08. Availability changes daily — call to confirm.
iPhone 15 Pro
128GB • Like New
$820
6-month warranty
iPhone 14 Pro
128GB • Good
$620
6-month warranty
iPhone 13
128GB • Good
$410
6-month warranty
iPhone 12
64GB • Good
$280
6-month warranty
iPhone 11
64GB • Good
$210
6-month warranty
Our environmental commitment
Since 2017, over 50,000 devices have been diverted from landfills thanks to our Montreal customers. Selling or trading instead of throwing away is circular economy in action: every device we buy back is either resold to a new owner here in Montreal or dismantled for component recovery. Devices too damaged or too old to resell are taken back free of charge — no recycling fee — and handed only to recyclers compliant with Quebec environmental standards (ARPE-Québec). Your data is securely erased before anything is resold or recycled.
Refurbished cell phones in Montreal: what to know
A refurbished cell phone is not just a used phone sold as-is: it has been tested, restored if needed, cleaned, unlocked and warrantied. The difference comes down to verification and recourse if something goes wrong — a private-sale used phone gives you neither, a shop-refurbished phone gives you both.
At SubSell, the refurbished lineup is 100% iPhone — by choice. Focusing on a single ecosystem lets us master every model: 30+ point testing, known reliable parts, all-carrier unlocking, a 6-month warranty, and prices from $80. You see the exact device and try it in-store before paying. Browse refurbished iPhones →
Have a Samsung or another Android? We buy them for cash — and if you're looking to buy refurbished, note that the iPhone keeps the best resale value and the longest software support, which makes it the safest choice over several years.
Can you trade in your iPhone for a refurbished one?
Yes — that's exactly what we do.
Bring your current iPhone, we evaluate it in about 5 minutes, and the value comes straight off a tested refurbished model in store. You pay only the difference, cash or credit — no plan, no contract. Calculate my trade-in → or see your iPhone's value first.
FAQ — Refurbished iPhone
Is a refurbished iPhone reliable?
Yes — when it comes from a seller who genuinely tests devices and offers a warranty. At SubSell, every iPhone passes a 30+ point test and is covered for 6 months.
What is the difference between refurbished and used?
A used phone is sold as-is, with no verification and no warranty. A refurbished phone is tested, restored if needed, cleaned, unlocked and warrantied.
Are SubSell's refurbished iPhones unlocked?
Yes, all our iPhones are unlocked and compatible with every Canadian carrier.
What warranty do I get?
6 months on any functional defect — and you test the device in-store before paying.
Can I reserve online?
Yes — no-deposit reservation, pickup at 757 Rue Beaubien East (Beaubien metro), 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Is a refurbished iPhone eco-friendly?
Yes: reusing a phone avoids manufacturing a new one. SubSell takes back unsellable devices free of charge and sends them to recyclers compliant with Quebec standards (ARPE-Québec / Recyc-Québec), with data wiped before processing.
Where can I buy a refurbished cell phone in Montreal?
At a shop that tests, unlocks and warranties its devices. At SubSell (Beaubien metro), every refurbished cell phone is an iPhone tested on 30+ points, covered by a 6-month warranty, and testable in-store before you pay — 7 days a week, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Can I trade in my iPhone for a refurbished one?
Yes — that is exactly what we do. Bring your current iPhone, we evaluate it in about 5 minutes, and its value comes straight off a tested refurbished model in store. You pay only the difference, cash or credit.
Find your refurbished iPhone today.
757 Rue Beaubien East, Montréal • Mon-Sun 9 AM-9 PM • Walk-ins welcome