Apple’s Refurb Store Attractive For Mac, Ipad and Watch Buyers As Regular Prices Rise
Emma Wheaton
17 Aug 2026
Apple’s growing range of refurbished products in Australia is giving consumers another way to access relatively recent hardware at lower prices.
Particularly as Apple’s new hardware prices rise, its Certified Refurbished Store is becoming more relevant.
Apple’s refurb store currently offers Macs, iPads and Apple Watches at savings of up to 15%, including relatively recent products such as the MacBook Neo and Apple Watch Series 11.
The timing is significant. In June, Apple raised Australian prices across a broad range of Mac and iPad products, with the increases attributed to surging memory and storage costs driven by demand from AI data centres.
The MacBook Neo, which launched in Australia at A$899, increased to A$1,049, while the MacBook Air rose from A$1,799 to A$2,099. The MacBook Pro increased from A$2,699 to A$3,199, while the iMac rose from A$1,999 to A$2,399. iPad pricing also increased, with the entry-level iPad moving from A$599 to A$749 and the iPad Air from A$999 to A$1,249.
Apple is now offering a refurbished MacBook Neo from A$899, effectively returning the company’s cheapest Mac to its original Australian launch price, but through its certified refurbished channel.
The refurbished store also includes Apple Watch Series 11 models from A$579 for selected 42mm GPS configurations, giving consumers a route to relatively current Apple hardware at a more affordable price.
An important part of the Certified Refurbished Store is the Apple certification. Refurbished products undergo functional testing, use genuine Apple replacement parts where needed and come with a one-year limited warranty. Eligible products can also receive AppleCare.
It potentially puts additional pressure on retailers already dealing with more price-sensitive consumers. Apple’s own refurbished operation provides a manufacturer-backed alternative that is becoming more attractive as new-device prices rise.
Internationally, Apple has also expanded its refurbished iPhone offering, with the iPhone 16 Plus available refurbished at discounts of up to US$170 depending on configuration. Australian availability varies by product and stock.
