Best used or renewed Apple Ecosystem for under $700?

By Justin Harris, 14 July, 2024

Forum
Apple Hardware and Compatible Accessories

Hi everyone, curious to see what people have to say on this. Between the Android devices I was able to sell, and money left over after bills are paid, at the beginning of the month, I plan to build my Apple ecosystem back up. Sold everything thinking I was going to enjoy Android so much I wouldn't be switching back. Boy was I wrong. Not my best move. lol But anyway, my budget is about $700. I plan to grab a new iPhone SE3 at the beginning of the month. I plan on getting this new from my carrier, as I haven't seen any better deals on it. It's running $179 plus tax. So, that leaves me a tiny bit over $500. One of the devices I need absolutely has to be an Apple TV, as I need the homekit hub. But, none of my tvs are 4k. Also, I don't need airpods as I do have, and am keeping the galaxy buds. I really like the way they fit, no stem, and don't need really the device switching, and those connect to my iPhone just fine.
So, my question for all of you is, with $500, what do you get, and which models are going to be the best bang for your buck? I want an Apple watch, iPad and Apple tv. While I don't need the latest and greatest, I do want each device to still have at least a few yeard of support left. Also, while it would be awesome to bag all three at once, if I can only do two and then get the last one in September, between the watch and the iPad, which do you prioritize? It Will be interesting to hear the different perspectives here. But if it were you, how do you do it? Where have you had the best luck with used or renewed tech? Amazon, eBay, some other site? Lastly, just for the fun of it, what's the absolute best deal you've ever gotten on a used/renewed Apple device, and where did you get it?

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Comments

By Roxann Pollard on Friday, July 12, 2024 - 16:24

For roughly $500 USD, I believe you can get the baseline model for Apple Watch, and the Apple TV with the latest Siri remote, I think it is either generation five, or generation six. Forgive me, don't recall. Both basic models have all of the basics of higher and models of both, therefore, they are able to drop the price, and serve more people. If you're looking for good, and basic, this will serve you well, in my opinion anyway. Enjoy your new toys.

By Holger Fiallo on Friday, July 12, 2024 - 16:24

I believe Tuesday amazon starts their special deal. If you are a member check. If not ask someone to do it for you.

By Justin Harris on Friday, July 12, 2024 - 16:24

I am a Prime member, but like I said, sadly I won't have the needed funds for a few more weeks.

By Ollie on Friday, July 12, 2024 - 16:24

Amazon sometimes offer a buy now and split cost without interest which might be worth considering if all the funds aren't yet forthcoming. Worth a look, though I think it might be restricted to amazon products.

By Travis Roth on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

Cardinal rule for Apple devices: don't buy in the months leading up to new releases. Given the new Apple Intelligence (AI) stuff and what they potentially could do with that and VoiceOver, I believe you'd be better served to committing to an iPhone 16 and foregoing an iPad which for VoiceOver users is nearly redundant. I'd really hate to see you lock into an iPhone SE which I think the newest model is already about two years old. It is also possible there will be deals on iPhone 15 that may be enough for AI, especially will be worth monitoring iPhone 15 Pro resell prices after the 16 are released. Just thinking about your long term use versus rushing if you can still spare a month or two.

By Justin Harris on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

I really can't hold out that long, and also do like having an iPad in addition to the phone, keeps me from having to recharge during the day normally. I could get a battery case, true, but I rather like having the iPad. Even when I had my 13 Pro, battery wasn't good enough to get me through the entire day without the iPad. Also, iPhone 15 pro even used is going to be out of my price range. Having said that, even if budget were not a consideration in the least, I would still have both. While some nice extras for Voiceover would be great, I really don't care much about the AI stuff. Those features don't seem like things I would actually use.
What does really excite me about iOS 18 is the Braille improvements.
Now, if I could get a similarly priced iPhone 12 or 12 pro, instead of the SE3, I might find that rather tempting. But the SE3 is still newer than the 12, so might still be my best bet, though for my hands, the extra real estate would be nice. BSI on this iPhone 8 is rough!

By Holger Fiallo on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

Phone companies? Most have monthly payment to keep the phone or you can trade it for a new one. Check, Verizon, ATT, T mobile, comcast. You never know, see who has a nice deal and call the others and tell them what are you been offer by others.

By Brian on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

Here are some iPhone 12 models for you. They are a mixed bag between standard, mini, and pro editions. All are listed as 'Unlocked'. Enjoy, and don't ever say I never did anything for you~ 😜

`iPhone 12 Pro:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/266905219194?itmmeta=01J2SQKED9KMMDHTTHXC9CC9BX&hash=item3e24ca707a:g:IuEAAOSwvaJmlCT2&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4KAISYk4xtjW6bhWGMiyUelxqsYruLwUXYIHVIJy91wwVHrViBJiAocG9H0ML3WNDl%2BDozF2%2BMDcP5lllcT%2FycUh7EmytO9jwLxsMaFFPBlakdDLh6ntyEqGoDIzGjynH%2FNvNhzzo9%2B%2B11eRobmNm76NuHQlJx83Bwt6SetP03hUHhw%2FKrjsBgWjbKNkQUz6eiGJjkVdOyZwn%2BcINfDZ%2BPlp1W45ZBPR3AKPCKkKerMn%2FZJ5nFA5DkUTJvyDvjNOkIIKyYPKfGDYCa1VlQzouM8Ca5kMEe74LmQIXuAWHZ7c|tkp%3ABk9SR-DmzbeWZA

iPhone 12:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/116252935624?itmmeta=01J2SQKED900W5X5PBMGM5NC09&hash=item1b113705c8:g:yvUAAOSw32tmk-L2&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAAwCzxasnJb0YzvbeLUSjkv4VwHrPPTvz9U0h3dMFwj57lQeXZyKsSS0lBMF4Ez9a7%2BMxpUqYXVd1w1CYRwySMvB47MpiOjtQutZLotkaOv9CZ9fBSgx0JW1hszmG0AnTA4%2BVLAdDYS73V7KMjfQoOVukiPZK7KvjbVAsl4bP0sBkUzhK1MV2lBv8buBa1KlVeX%2F4Op%2FqOKpjszoAg58oFuWnu4dx1Jf9xoPMLAKRbtCfBuhpOeQerMBr2mCTykd5wig%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR-DmzbeWZA

iPhone 12 Mini:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/294982633019?itmmeta=01J2SQKED9HYPNP3JNJDTP7PAA&hash=item44ae55c63b:g:4gYAAOSwY7FlAH2H&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4M%2FvHCqX1MNuTHJy4Wldr2fVA80rUAcYnbR1kIlnichXxdY1VudVpvCnzrR1umVapUldbhsW6jPeORIbSpaRY62jtOiopRgEd2MTqc7yLNHlnuzntSwMISaR%2BxJew7QFyzK4mHO0ptRiPZDcZ30U3r3ISfD4%2Fwvim4R%2BkxEDQvD5FvUJMUGmZyBthusPZci0kL1Q3uR4jUmAPL9yBK1nXIURYEdc1SBGoA0o0o%2BczYZRHQ%2BeiPiPhcPvmOrDp8TtSbj%2FXAUAyjRm5wnzOxUcccgup0RdUEkM9TU5Zt99BYvm|tkp%3ABk9SR-LmzbeWZA

iPhone 12 Mini:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/304077015674?itmmeta=01J2SQKEDA7TWV9NAD8T1895D1&hash=item46cc670a7a:g:croAAOSwQWVlAHfp&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4MdMDlWWXZPx34BYi5g69B5o7lPnth6fg9rFhP7itrLVCNY%2BEywgdPK5myQWr0mNEMtQt08iX0UvDlEIs8zprYXyc6tNxSNNcC4zGcERghmq2k5%2Bsv8z8mMjMBFRGqQUlf24PF9uz3w7se5jbDIjewTjMv%2Fzp%2BkCcxxsEYEphOzsLZBVvwISfikytIl6uzdNO63q11BQVnhqPWoTv%2Ff1V7c8Z%2BwTkV8hBiw%2FMR7lRbJYm0IHceOQ19deZ61sgnPpgt4cakICYO6rxoX%2BeF2xrPpTbH%2BlEpndnwii58DadYFD|tkp%3ABk9SR-TmzbeWZA

iPhone 12 Mini:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/196481234784?itmmeta=01J2SQKEDADTER2AR9PBXCXFBE&hash=item2dbf31b760:g:95wAAOSw3lpmcFLF&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4C58qMUWgtWwI1ua3dhzt3pGDfnnViIF7PG6QHD8oUl80%2F0sl%2BWAQyLJjmawV1w4h45lqL3VDfYrB26yD%2BUFnZWug66xCVEoVe78D3ymDdjrVMW9ur3O6vwIYUZtRuwdup1i3W0tMCnzIXaraUcec6%2BtS1cPwFqigIMz0WMujcN3DP8z6QlHVhsJERskbZsD7DL7z7BVa1IrkbYaeYFfz3obcmub5DLIf%2Bffob587WgSfdRuKKhEksCtkH%2FomV5DuF7VWZW0bf3ZbDsz4zWLkZYpCE3re4vV%2BYaKtMZ5mgKq|tkp%3ABFBM6ObNt5Zk

By Justin Harris on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

@Holger Fiallo
I have straight talk, which is a prepaid carrier. Like I said in my first post, I saw the SE3 for $179. Don't recall exactly what everything else was going for, but want to avoid another monthly payment in addition to the bill. Plus sadly my credit isn't the best, so don't know if I would be approved. But really, even if it's not the latest and greatest, as long as it still has a few years of support left, that's good enough for me.
@Brian
Thanks man. Will give these a look. :) Much appreciated.

By Travis Roth on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

While I don't know how much you use a phone per day, I can say my iPhone 15 Pro is the best longest lasting battery situation I've ever had. I've never ran it dry in a day. Apple seems to have finally started taking battery life more seriously around 14 and especially 15.
As for iPad, I get it Apple is so good at selling us gadgets. I have it too. But lately I have been questioning the redundancy and wondering if I really should consolidate. Partially I am disappointed in Apple not making a more specific/useful use case for the iPad. They have all this power and iPadOS is seriously underwhelming.
Anyhow you'll know what is best for you. Good luck. Oh P.S. I read there is an Apple Watch SE on sale this morning for $189 at pre-Prime Day deal. Because you know, now we have to have pre-Prime Day deals because Prime Day is not enough. <rolling eyes>

By Justin Harris on Friday, July 19, 2024 - 16:24

Lol, if I had the funds right now, I would totally be jumping on that.
Regarding battery life on the newer phones, I appreciate that info. I would really like to bag as many of the devices as I can at once, and not have any extra payments, but what you say about the battery performance is food for thought.
And, if you really want to get rid of your iPad, maybe we can work something out? <grin>