Consumers Turn to Refurbished Tech as Apple Price Hikes and 15% CPU Increases Loom
Updated
Updated · PCMag · Jun 18
Consumers Turn to Refurbished Tech as Apple Price Hikes and 15% CPU Increases Loom
3 articles · Updated · PCMag · Jun 18
Summary
Apple’s planned price increases, alongside a RAM shortage pushing DDR5 prices up to PlayStation 5 levels, are driving advice for shoppers to consider refurbished iPhones, iPads and other devices.
Refurbished products can dodge tariff-driven inflation and component shortages because they are already built and already in the US, offering a cheaper alternative as new-tech prices rise across the industry.
76% of respondents in a 2026 CNET Group TechPulse study said they would wait to upgrade until new devices are clearly worth the hassle and higher prices.
Key checks before buying include whether the item is truly refurbished or just open-box, who did the work, whether accessories and a warranty are included, and if the return window is at least two weeks to a month.
The guidance warns against buying some categories refurbished—notably earbuds, keyboards, drives and TVs—and notes many credit cards still extend warranty protection to eligible refurbished purchases.