Refurbished iPhones at Temu – How Good Are the Deals Really?

Adrian Mühlroth

September 29, 2025, 1:13 pm | Read time: 3 minutes

If you don’t need the latest iPhone, refurbished devices can often offer barely used hardware for little money. In Germany, platforms such as eBay, Backmarket, and Swappie are widespread. However, the Chinese competitor Temu is becoming increasingly popular. But how do Temu’s refurbished iPhones measure up? A YouTuber ordered, tested, and opened two iPhone 14 Pro models—with revealing results.

Many Fake Products at Temu

Temu is primarily known for cheap clothing and accessories from China. However, the platform also offers higher-priced products like iPhones. In addition to new items, there are many refurbished offers in various conditions, ranging from “Good” to “Like New.”

YouTuber Suhaib El-Komy, who runs the channel Phone Repair Guru, ordered two iPhone 14 Pros in “Like New” refurbished condition from Temu. Both iPhones came from the same seller on Temu. El-Komy chose the shop SmartCell because it consistently has good reviews. Otherwise, the risk of receiving counterfeit products is quite high. The seller also operates a local warehouse, so the shipping time is significantly shorter than for goods directly from China.

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First Impression of Temu iPhones

Both devices were first tested with Apple’s diagnostic tool for functionality. The tool provides initial indications if the hardware is not original, which can affect things like Face ID, display response, and battery. Neither of the iPhones showed any issues.

In the first examined iPhone 14 Pro, El-Komy found slight signs of wear on the USB-C port, mute switch, housing frame, and display. The battery’s charging capacity was only 80 percent—at this point, a battery replacement is usually recommended. The second device showed no signs of use. Additionally, the maximum battery capacity was slightly higher at 83 percent.

El-Komy then opened the iPhones, only to discover that both devices contained exclusively original parts. The moisture indicator and intact sealing are signs that there was no damage. With the second examined iPhone 14 Pro, El-Komy is even sure that no one else had previously opened the device.

Price and Risk Remain Crucial

Anyone expecting that refurbished iPhones at Temu would be particularly cheap is mistaken. Both devices were purchased for 858.73 Canadian dollars (converted to 533.54 euros). This means the Temu price is higher than what other sellers like Backmarket and Swappie charge. These sellers often provide a guarantee that the battery condition does not fall below a certain threshold.

Additionally, Temu does not sell the iPhones directly but through third-party vendors. This poses risks for buyers, as the quality may not be consistent across all sellers. The two tested Temu iPhones were genuine iPhone 14 Pro models with unchanged original parts and no hidden defects. Nevertheless, the price is above the market standard, and the risk of receiving counterfeit products remains significant.

This article is a machine translation of the original German version of TECHBOOK and has been reviewed for accuracy and quality by a native speaker. For feedback, please contact us at info@techbook.de.