About Smile iPhones

Our Story

Smile iPhones began with a straightforward observation: buying a used or refurbished iPhone in South Africa should not feel like a gamble. Too many buyers were being sold devices with hidden problems — swollen batteries, iCloud locks, water damage, or fake parts — often with no warranty and no recourse. We saw an opportunity to do things differently.

The business started small, sourcing a handful of iPhones, testing them thoroughly, and selling them to friends and family. Word spread. Within a year, we were shipping devices across the country to customers who had heard about the way we operated: honest listings, transparent condition reports, real warranties, and no surprises when the box arrived.

Today, Smile iPhones serves customers in every major city in South Africa. We focus exclusively on Apple iPhones — not Android devices, not tablets, not accessories — because specialising means we get better at it. Every model we list has been personally handled, inspected, and tested by someone on our team.

What We Sell

We currently stock a wide range of Apple iPhones, from recent flagship models like the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 series, down to reliable workhorse devices like the iPhone 11, iPhone XR, and iPhone SE. Every listing on our catalogue shows the storage options, colour choices, and condition grade available for that specific model.

We deal in two categories of devices:

• New iPhones — Sealed, unused devices sourced through legitimate retail and wholesale channels.
• Certified Pre-Owned iPhones — Devices that have been used previously, but have been fully tested, cleaned, and graded. These are the devices most of our customers buy, because they offer excellent value for money compared to buying brand new.

We do not sell refurbished devices that have been rebuilt with non-Apple parts. We do not sell devices with iCloud locks or activation locks. We do not sell devices with swollen batteries, water damage, or any other hidden defect that would compromise reliability.

How We Test Every iPhone

Every device we acquire goes through the same inspection process before it is listed on our site. This is the part of the business we take most seriously, because it is the part that determines whether our customers stay happy long after purchase.

Our testing checklist includes:

1. Serial number verification — We check the IMEI and serial number against Apple's database to confirm the device is genuine, not reported stolen, and not carrier-blacklisted.
2. iCloud and Activation Lock check — The device must be free of any prior account locks before we accept it.
3. Battery health check — We record the battery's maximum capacity and cycle count. Devices below 80% battery health are rejected unless the battery is replaced with a genuine Apple battery first.
4. Screen and touch test — Full touch responsiveness across the entire display, no dead zones, no ghost touches, no permanent marks or discolouration.
5. Camera test — Both front and rear cameras tested for focus, clarity, and stabilisation. We check for scratches on the lens and any sensor damage.
6. Speaker and microphone test — Earpiece, loudspeaker, and both microphones tested for clarity at various volumes.
7. Button and port test — Power button, volume buttons, mute switch, charging port, and SIM tray.
8. Face ID or Touch ID test — Biometric authentication must work reliably.
9. Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular test — All wireless radios tested with local South African network SIM cards.
10. Full software restore — Device is wiped, restored via iTunes or Finder, and set up as new to confirm there are no software issues.

Only devices that pass every step on this list go into our catalogue. Anything that fails is either repaired with genuine parts or excluded from sale entirely.

Our Warranty Promise

Every iPhone sold by Smile iPhones comes with a warranty. We offer a standard 30-day warranty on all certified pre-owned devices, covering any hardware fault that was not disclosed at the time of sale and is not caused by accidental damage, water damage, or unauthorised repairs.

If a covered fault appears within the warranty period, we will repair or replace the device at no cost to you. If we cannot repair or replace it, we will refund your purchase in full. The warranty is our commitment that we stand behind the condition grade and testing we advertise.

It is important to note what our warranty does not cover: physical damage (cracked screens, dents, bent frames), liquid damage, damage from third-party repairs, or normal battery degradation over time. These are excluded because they are caused by accidents or the natural ageing of lithium-ion batteries, not by any defect present at the time of sale.

For full details, please read our Warranty Returns policy and Return Policy.

How Ordering Works

We deliberately keep the ordering process simple and human. There is no complicated checkout, no account registration, and no confusing payment gateway on the site. Here is what happens when you buy from us:

1. You browse the catalogue — Find the iPhone model you want on our catalogue page. You can filter by series if you already know which generation you are after.
2. You view the product details — Click any product to see available storage options, colour choices, condition grade, and current pricing.
3. You send us an enquiry — Every product page has a WhatsApp button pre-filled with your exact selection. You can also contact us via the contact form or by phone.
4. We confirm availability and price — We respond within 24 hours (usually much faster) to confirm the device is still available and finalise the price and delivery details.
5. Payment and delivery — Once you have confirmed you want the device, we arrange payment and shipping. Delivery is typically 2–5 business days depending on your location.

We prefer WhatsApp because it lets us send photos of the actual device you will receive, answer questions in real time, and keep a written record of the arrangement for your protection.

Where We Deliver

We deliver to all nine provinces in South Africa. Delivery times vary depending on your location:

• Gauteng — 1–2 business days
• Western Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Free State — 2–3 business days
• Eastern Cape, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, North West, Northern Cape — 3–5 business days

All shipments are tracked and insured. You will receive a tracking number as soon as the device is dispatched, and you can follow its progress with the courier until it reaches your door.

If you are in Gauteng or the Western Cape, collection may be possible by prior arrangement. Contact us to discuss collection options if this is preferable to delivery.

What Makes Us Different

The South African pre-owned smartphone market has a reputation problem. Stories of buyers being scammed, receiving devices in worse condition than advertised, or being refused a refund when something goes wrong are unfortunately common. We started Smile iPhones because we believed it was possible to do this business honestly — and we have proven that, thousands of sales later.

Here is what sets us apart from the typical online phone reseller:

• We only sell iPhones. We do not dilute our attention across Android devices, laptops, tablets, or accessories. iPhone expertise is our entire business.
• Every device is tested by a human. We use a written checklist, not an automated test script. Someone physically handles your device before you do.
• We take real photos. The image on the product page is the actual device you will receive (or a device in identical condition from the same batch), not a stock photo from Apple's website.
• We honour our warranty without argument. If something fails within the warranty period that is covered by our policy, we fix it. No delay tactics, no "read the fine print" excuses.
• We respond fast. Most enquiries are answered within an hour during business hours, and always within 24 hours.
• We price transparently. The price you see is the price you pay. No hidden delivery fees, no surprise "administration charges" at checkout.

A Word About Second-Hand iPhones

Buying a pre-owned iPhone is one of the smartest financial decisions you can make in the smartphone market. A two-year-old flagship iPhone — say, an iPhone 13 Pro — typically sells for less than half its original retail price, yet it will still outperform most new mid-range Android phones in photography, gaming, and long-term software support.

The catch is that pre-owned devices vary dramatically in quality. Two iPhone 13 Pro Maxes of the same age can have completely different batteries, screens, and wear levels. This is why buying from a tested, warranted source matters. You are paying a small premium over the "cash-in-hand, sold as-is" private seller price in exchange for knowing that the device has been inspected, cleaned, and is backed by a warranty.

If you are considering buying a used iPhone from a private seller to save money, we respect that decision. But before you do, please read our article on how to check iPhone specifications and make sure you understand what you are looking at. Small red flags — no iCloud removal, no serial number match, "no time wasters" attitude — are usually signals of bigger problems.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Us

We are always happy to hear from customers — whether you are ready to buy, still comparing options, or just have a question about iPhones that you cannot find an answer to elsewhere. You can reach us in any of the following ways:

• WhatsApp: +27 73 387 4514 — fastest response
• Email: info@smileiphones.co.za
• Contact form: Contact page

Thank you for considering Smile iPhones. Whether you end up buying from us or not, we hope the information on this site has helped you make a more informed decision about your next iPhone.