Apple Begins Selling Certified Refurbished Sixth-Generation 9.7-Inch iPads at 15% Discount - MacRumors
Skip to Content

Apple Begins Selling Certified Refurbished Sixth-Generation 9.7-Inch iPads at 15% Discount

Apple has added sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad models to its refurbished store in the United States for the first time since their release in March 2018. Prices are discounted by 14 to 15 percent compared to the equivalent brand new models.

apple refurbished 2018 ipad 9 7
The following configurations are available in Space Gray, Silver, or Gold:

Orders placed today are estimated to be delivered in the first week of December. Quantities are limited, however, so we recommend acting fast or using Refurb Tracker to monitor when inventory is replenished.

Apple says certified refurbished iPad models are thoroughly inspected, tested, cleaned, and repackaged in a new white box, with all accessories and documentation included. Every refurbished iPad receives a new battery and a new outer shell, making it virtually indistinguishable from a brand new iPad.

Every refurbished iPad is covered by Apple's standard one-year warranty effective on the date the tablet is delivered. The coverage can be extended to two years from the refurbished purchase date with AppleCare+ for iPad, which costs $69 or $3.49 per month for the the 9.7-inch iPad in the United States.

While certified refurbished iPads represent a decent opportunity for savings, better deals were offered on the sixth-generation 9.7-inch iPad on Black Friday last week. Walmart and Target, for example, offered the Wi-Fi model with 32GB of storage for just $249 brand new, less than Apple's refurbished price of $279.

Those interested in a better deal on the sixth-generation iPad can monitor the price charts in our continuously updated Apple Deals roundup.

(Thanks, Shanmugam!)

Related Roundup: iPad
Buyer's Guide: iPad (Don't Buy)
Related Forum: iPad

Popular Stories

iPhone 18 Pro Deep Red Feature

iPhone 18 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
ios 26 4 yellow

Here Are Apple's Release Notes for iOS 26.4

Wednesday March 18, 2026 11:56 am PDT by
Apple provided developers and public beta testers with the release candidate versions of iOS 26.4 and iPadOS 26.4, which means we're going to see a public launch as soon as next week. The RC versions of the software include Apple's official release notes, giving us final details on what's included in the update. Apple Music - Playlist Playground (beta) generates a playlist from your...
imac video apple feature

Apple Released Yet Another New Product Today

Friday March 20, 2026 2:39 pm PDT by
Apple has unveiled a whopping nine new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the all-new MacBook Neo, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, AirPods Max 2, and Nike Powerbeats Pro 2. iPhone 17e features the same overall design as the...

Top Rated Comments

tridley68 Avatar
95 months ago
15% off with a 20% markup off the top.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
AngerDanger Avatar
95 months ago
People complain that Apple is making entry-level iPads prohibitively expensive with the most recent release, but these refurbished devices are good options!

If you need/want an iPad for media consumption and creative work, you can pick up one that is practically new for $279—less than an Apple Watch, HomePod, or mid-range iPod touch (when those received more focus) and more capable than each.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
roncron Avatar
95 months ago
I have purchased refurbished iPads directly from Apple and they are literally indistinguishable from new. The only way to tell it's refurbished is that the box it comes in says it's refurbished. They come with a full Apple warranty and the option to purchase AppleCare.

If you buy a refurbished iPad from some other seller, it is probably a used product (e.g. an iPad that someone sells to Gazelle when they upgrade to a different model) that is wiped with a cloth and minimally tested or inspected. It usually comes with a warranty backed by the seller, not Apple, and is not eligible for AppleCare. You're taking a chance, and it might work out great or might be disappointing.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
95 months ago
I got my 128GB for $329 brand new.

Does everything an iPad Pro does for less. I can even add a pencil and keyboard and still spend less than an iPad Pro.

Apple still hasn't give me reason to spend 2x for a device that does the exact same thing. TruTone displays and bigger speakers isn't going to cut it.
Truetone displays, bigger speakers, considerably faster CPU, considerably faster GPU, neural engine, Tru Motion screen, now USB-C with high quality video out, better cameras, more RAM.

Just because your needs are met by the iPad (which is great! What a value considering what you used to get for $499!) doesn't mean everyone else's are.
Your definition of "exact" may need a little work...
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
95 months ago
I got my 128GB for $329 brand new.

Does everything an iPad Pro does for less. I can even add a pencil and keyboard and still spend less than an iPad Pro.

Apple still hasn't give me reason to spend 2x for a device that does the exact same thing. TruTone displays and bigger speakers isn't going to cut it.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
95 months ago
$390 for 32GB is still too high
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)