Ever scrolled through a marketplace and seen a listing for an other box iPhone 13? It’s a weird phrase. Honestly, if you're confused, you're not the only one. It sounds like some secret industry jargon, but it’s basically just a fancy way of saying "this isn't the original retail packaging."
Buying a phone in 2026 is already a headache. You’ve got to dodge scams, check battery health, and make sure the screen isn't a cheap third-party replacement. Then someone throws the term "other box" at you.
Is it a scam? Usually no. But it does mean the phone has a bit of a history. Let's get into what’s actually happening when a seller lists a phone this way and why it might be a better (or worse) deal than you think.
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What is an other box iPhone 13 anyway?
Basically, an other box iPhone 13 is a device sold in a plain white box or a generic cardboard container rather than the slim, colorful Apple box you see at the mall.
There are three main reasons this happens.
First, the phone might be a Replacement Device. If someone took their broken iPhone 13 to an Apple Store and got a replacement under AppleCare+, that replacement phone arrives at the store in a plain white "service box." It’s a brand-new or "like-new" phone, but it never touched a retail shelf.
Second, it could be Refurbished. When companies like Back Market or Gazelle fix up a phone, they don’t have stacks of original Apple boxes lying around. They use their own sturdy, branded (or unbranded) packaging.
Third—and this is the one to watch—the original owner just lost the box. They’re selling the phone, they want it to look professional, so they bought a "replacement box" off eBay for five bucks.
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The Model Number Trick
You can actually find out the "birth certificate" of your phone in about ten seconds. This is the most important thing you can do if you're looking at an other box iPhone 13.
- Open Settings.
- Tap General.
- Tap About.
- Look at the Model Number.
The first letter tells you everything.
If it starts with M, it was originally a retail unit. If that phone is in an "other box," it’s likely a used phone where the owner lost the packaging.
If it starts with N, it’s a replacement device from Apple. This is the "gold standard" of other box phones. It means the hardware was handled by Apple technicians.
If it starts with F, it was officially refurbished by Apple. These are rare in the "other box" world because Apple Refurbished units usually come in their own specific white "Apple Certified Refurbished" boxes.
Why people actually buy these
Price. Obviously.
An iPhone 13 in its original, sealed box is a collector’s item or a high-end used product. It commands a premium. But an other box iPhone 13? That’s for the pragmatists. You can often shave 10% to 15% off the price just because the cardboard is different.
The phone inside is the same A15 Bionic chip. It has the same dual-camera system. It still supports MagSafe.
But there is a catch with the accessories.
Apple stopped including chargers with the iPhone 12. So, an original box iPhone 13 only comes with a USB-C to Lightning cable. With an "other box" listing, you’re lucky if you get a cable at all. Often, it’s just the "slab" (the phone itself).
Spotting the Red Flags
Don't get blinded by a low price. I've seen too many people buy a "new" other box iPhone 13 only to realize it’s a Frankenstein phone.
What’s a Frankenstein phone? It’s a device where a third-party shop took a cracked screen from one phone, a dying battery from another, and a logic board from a third, and shoved them all into a new shell.
Watch out for:
- Display Warnings: If you see "Important Display Message" in the settings, the screen was replaced with a non-genuine part. FaceID might not work.
- Battery Health: Anything under 85% is going to feel sluggish. If it's an "other box" unit claiming to be "new" but the battery is at 90%, someone is lying to you.
- The IMEI Check: Always ask the seller for the IMEI before you meet. Run it through a free checker to ensure it isn't blacklisted or reported stolen.
How to buy an other box iPhone 13 safely
If you're going the "other box" route, I’d personally skip the random person on a street corner and look at reputable refurbishers.
The iPhone 13 is a tank. It’s arguably one of the best-valued iPhones right now because the jump to the iPhone 14 wasn't that massive. But you want a warranty.
A "service unit" (Model N) from a seller with a 99% rating is a fantastic find. It’s basically a fresh phone without the retail tax.
If you are buying in person, bring a power bank and a cable. Plug it in. Make sure it actually charges. Test the cameras. Switch between the wide and ultra-wide lenses. Check the speakers.
The "Other Box" Bottom Line
An other box iPhone 13 isn't a specific model of phone; it's just a logistical reality of the second-hand market. It represents a device that has been detached from its original retail journey.
If you're a person who throws the box in the recycling bin the second you get home, then "other box" is your best friend. You're paying for the silicon and the glass, not the paper.
Just do your homework. Check the model letter. Verify the IMEI. If the deal feels too good to be true—like an iPhone 13 for the price of a tank of gas—it’s probably a brick in a box.
Next Steps for You:
Check the "About" section of your current phone right now. See which letter your model starts with. It’s a great way to practice identifying a phone's origin before you head out to buy your next one. Once you're comfortable with that, look up the current trade-in values for an iPhone 13 on sites like Swappa or Back Market to see what the "no box" price floor looks like today.