Hi! It’s Sensei.
“I want an iPhone, but it costs 150,000 yen at the Apple Store…”
“Is it okay to buy a cheap iPhone sold on Facebook?”
I get these questions a lot.
To get straight to the point: Never buy on Facebook.
It could be a “stolen phone” or a “phone with unpaid debt (Aka-romu / 赤ロム).”
But don’t give up.
In Japan, there is a magic iPhone that is “as beautiful as new, but half the price.”
That is the “Refurbished (Seibi-zumi-hin / 整備済み品)” model.
What is a “Refurbished Product”?
It’s different from just “Used (Chuko / 中古).”
These are iPhones that Amazon or specialized companies have inspected, repaired, and cleaned with professional skills.
- Appearance: Almost no scratches, looks like new.
- Battery: Contains a healthy battery with 80% or more capacity.
- Warranty (Hosho / 保証): If it breaks, they will replace it within 180 days (about half a year)!
Personal sales on Facebook don’t have a “Warranty,” right?
That’s why buying a refurbished product is the smartest way.
How cheap is it?
For example, let’s compare with the “iPhone 12,” which still runs smoothly today.
| Condition | Price (Kakaku / 価格) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| New (Shinpin / 新品) iPhone 15, etc. |
120,000 yen~ Too expensive! |
△ |
| Refurbished (Seibi-zumi) iPhone 12/13 |
40,000 yen~ 60,000 yen |
◎ |
If you can buy it for less than half the price, you can send the saved money back to your home country!
2 Recommended Models from Sensei
For those who “don’t want anything too old, but can’t afford expensive ones,” these two are the best.
📱 1. iPhone 12 (256GB)
Price guide: 40,000 – 50,000 yen
Still fast and reliable. The camera is also beautiful.
Choose this if you prioritize “Cheapness.”
📱 2. iPhone 13 (256GB)
Price guide: 60,000 – 75,000 yen
A model with significantly improved battery life.
Recommended for people who watch lots of videos or want to use it for a long time.
⚠️ When buying, choose “SIM-Free”!
When buying on Amazon, always check if “SIM-Free (SIM furi / SIMフリー)” is written in the product name.
If it’s not “SIM-Free,” your SIM card (LINEMO, Rakuten, etc.) might not work.
Most refurbished products are SIM-free, but check just in case.
Summary: Buy Smartphones Wisely
Buying a new one for 150,000 yen and struggling with your monthly life is sad.
Smart trainees use refurbished products to save money effectively.
After buying a smartphone, the next thing is the SIM card.
If you’re still using an expensive SIM, choose a cheaper one from here 👇
