Apple quietly expanded its refurbished product lineup in the United States this week, adding 11-inch and 13-inch M2 iPad Air models to its Certified Refurbished store for the first time. Now you can take your pick of Apple refurbished iPad Air 2 models at discounts of around 15% off.
Apple previously made these refurbished iPad Air models available in the United Kingdom. But this marks the first opportunity for U.S. customers to purchase these previous-generation iPad Air models at a significant discount directly from Apple.
Get Apple refurbished M2 iPad Air models at 15% discount straight from Apple
Apple’s M2 iPad Air launched in May 2024. The refurbished M2 iPad Air models offer approximately 15% savings compared to their original retail pricing, according to listings in Apple’s U.S. Certified Refurbished store. The entry-level 11-inch iPad Air with 128GB of storage is now available for $469, down from its original $549 price tag. Meanwhile, the larger 13-inch model with the same storage capacity is priced at $639, a $110 discount from its original $749 retail price.
These price reductions make the premium iPad Air lineup more accessible to budget-conscious consumers who want the performance benefits of Apple’s M2 chip without paying full price for the latest M3 models. (If you’re looking for even bigger savings, check out these deals on a refurbished M1 iPad Air for $369.99 and the third-gen model from 2019 for just $169.99.)
Follows international availability of M2 iPad Air refurbs
The M2 iPad Air’s appearance in the U.S. refurbished store comes after models showed up earlier this month in Apple’s U.K. refurbished outlet. The staggered international rollout is typical for Apple’s refurbished program. Products often appear in different stores around the world at varying times based on return inventory and regional demand.
Apple currently offers multiple configurations of the refurbished M2 iPad Air. They include various colors, storage capacities and both Wi-Fi-only and cellular-enabled models. However, inventory levels will naturally fluctuate based on returns and trade-ins. Customers seeking specific color or storage combinations may need to check back periodically as new units become available.
Quality assurance and warranty protection
Apple’s refurbished iPad Air models undergo comprehensive reconditioning. They include new batteries, outer shells and USB-C cables, according to Apple. That helps ensure they perform identically to brand-new units. Each refurbished device comes with Apple’s standard one-year limited warranty. And customers can purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage for additional protection and support services.
Apple discontinued M2 iPad Air models from its new product lineup earlier this year when the company introduced the M3 iPad Air series. So the only way to buy straight from Apple now is through the refurbished store.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
