Many people opt for phone contracts to avoid paying a large upfront cost for a new phone, but it often works out to be more expensive in the long run, when compared to buying a phone outright and pairing it with a SIM-only deal.
However, not everyone can afford an upfront payment on a brand new flagship phone or other tech device. Buying used tech from platforms like eBay or Gumtree can save a significant amount compared to purchasing new.
Another option is refurbished devices, offered by a number of retailers and manufacturers looking to meet the demand for affordable and eco-friendly purchases. But what exactly does “refurbished” mean?
Here’s everything you need to know to make an informed decision for your next upgrade.
What’s the difference between refurbished and used devices?
It’s not always easy to tell if a phone is refurbished or new. Traditionally, refurbishing involves enhancing an item’s appearance and functionality. However, in the realm of technology, “refurbished” can vary depending on the seller.
It may denote a pre-owned device that’s been cleaned, had previous data erased, graded for condition, and packaged with accessories. It doesn’t necessarily mean that actual refurbishment, beyond cleaning, has taken place.
However, there are some retailers (and manufacturers) that carry out refurbishment on phones and other devices. They’ll replace batteries, defective components and – sometimes – even the screen and case so you can’t tell it apart from a new device.
Apple and Samsung offer refurbished phones like these, but they can be quite expensive compared to ‘graded’ devices. There are also independent companies, such as Aznu, which will refurbish phones (although currently it only has Samsung devices and iPhones).
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
Talking of grading, when purchasing a refurbished phone from retailers like SmartFoneStore, Music Magpie, Back Market or 4Gadgets, you’ll see this vary, making it crucial to carefully read descriptions to understand the phone’s condition.
Unfortunately, retailers don’t all use a standard, comparable system. One retailer’s ‘very good’ might be different from another’s, or they might use A, B, C to represent “Pristine”, “Excellent” and “Good”.
This means you need to read the description carefully to see what each means, so you can be certain of the condition of the phone you want to buy. Most sellers will also disclose battery health if not replaced, typically guaranteeing a minimum of 80%.
Dominik Tomaszewski / Foundry
The main difference is that refurbished phones should come with a warranty, providing coverage for faults, unlike private sales. The retailers mentioned above all offer a 12-month warranty, so you’re covered if the item you buy develops a fault.
While refurbished devices may cost more than those from private sellers on eBay or Craigslist, the warranty safeguards against issues post-purchase. Purchasing privately lacks this protection, leaving buyers responsible for any problems that arise.
Although PayPal offers some protection for eBay purchases, none exists for transactions on Gumtree or similar platforms.
Mark Hachman / IDG
The last thing is that refurbished devices tend to be a little more expensive than secondhand ones: this is due to the cost of supplying a warranty, and any cleaning and repairs carried out.
Obviously, the price will also be reflected in the grade you choose: pristine devices will cost more than those with cosmetic defects.
Where can I buy refurbished devices?
But where can you find these refurbished treasures? Those looking to save money without compromising on quality should check our round-up of the best refurbished phone deals or read our article on where to buy a refurbished phone.
If you want to browse, we’ve rounded up some of the best retailers below, with information on what to expect if you buy from them.
Refurbished Apple Products
When purchasing a refurbished iPhone, iPad, MacBook, or other device from the Apple Refurbished Store, it will appear brand new. As a manufacturer, Apple can seamlessly replace parts, resulting in a ‘like new’ device with genuine components and new batteries.
These devices are indistinguishable from brand new ones and come with the same warranty, making them a secure option for buying at a discount. However, the discount offered is typically only around 15% off the retail price, which may not be as significant as the savings on graded used devices.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Amazon Renewed Store
Amazon also operates its Renewed store, where refurbished products like smartphones, laptops, tablets, consoles, and desktop PCs are sold.
However, unlike Apple, Amazon doesn’t directly participate in this process. Instead, qualified suppliers inspect and test these products to ensure they function and appear like new.
These renewed devices may not be identical to new ones, but the listing provides details on their condition. For example, descriptions might include statements like these: “This product is in excellent condition” or “This product will have a battery that exceeds 80% capacity relative to new”. Accessories may not be original but they’ll be fully functional.
It’s important to carefully review these details to assess the condition and battery health of the device. You can read more about Amazon Renewed.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
It’s worth considering Amazon Warehouse deals as well.
These deals often feature unused customer returns, which may have damaged packaging but are otherwise new. Items are graded, allowing you to choose whether you’re comfortable with potential scratches or damage, or if you’ll only accept items with damaged or plain packaging.
You can find Warehouse deals here or use the drop-down menu to the left of the search bar on Amazon’s website and choose Amazon Warehouse, then type in whatever you’re searching for and press Enter.
Samsung Certified Re-Newed
Samsung operates a refurbished store called Samsung Certified Re-Newed, offering some of the best Galaxy phones from previous years, restored to original condition by engineers and backed by a 1-year warranty.
In the UK, Samsung is offering 2021 flagships – the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
However, in the US, in addition to the Galaxy S21 series, the Galaxy S22, Galaxy S22+ and Galaxy S22 Ultra models are also available.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Microsoft Certified Refurbished
Microsoft also has a Certified Refurbished Surface store where you can find Surface Laptop 5, Surface Laptop Go 2 and other best Microsoft Surface products.
Artur Tomala / Foundry
Should I buy a refurbished or used phone?
There are pros and cons for both. For example, Apple’s refurbished store provides essentially new devices at a slightly lower price, although the discounts may not be significant. These devices are typically from previous generations, rather than the latest models.
On the other hand, Amazon’s Renewed scheme offers larger savings on a wider range of products but doesn’t restore devices to ‘as new’ condition the way Apple does. However, those products still come with a warranty and have been tested for full functionality.
The most significant savings are often found via private sellers on platforms like eBay and Craigslist, but buying this way comes with higher risk and you’ll need to be more cautious.
Additionally, there are often sales and discounts available on new devices, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for these as well. Checking for the best tech deals can help you find the best offers available.
