Refurbished phones are a great way to save yourself money on an upgrade – and help reduce e-waste – so why not consider a renewed phone when you need a new handset? They don’t have the same pitfalls and concerns as a second-hand phone, where you don’t know the quality of the device. With a manufacturer’s seal of approval, refurbished phones can be almost as good as new
What Is a Refurbished Mobile Phone?
It is a common misconception that a refurbished mobile phone is the same as a second-hand phone. But while both are technically “used” phones, refurbed phones are typically far higher quality than one you buy from an auction site or classified ad.
When a phone is refurbished, it usually has some kind odf imperfection that leads to the original buyer returning it. However, it can also be because it was traded in as part of an upgrade or sent back in a return period because the buyer no longer wanted it. Instead of sending that phone to landfill, though, the manufacturer repaired or “refurbished” the phone and then put it back up for sale as a refurbished model.
Refurbished models may still have cosmetic damage from their original owner, but internally they are typically in nearly the same condition as a brand new phone. In fact, for phones with common defects—such as recalls—often, the manufacturer will have fixed that issue or replaced the problematic component. This means that sometimes a refurbished phone is better and more durable than a new one.
Unlike models sold as “open box,” which can also be available at a reduced price, refurbished phones typically undergo vigorous testing to ensure that they meet manufacturer standards for sale. Although they often don’t come with the same lengthy warranty as new phones, it’s not uncommon for them to have six months or a year of coverage (which you won’t get on second-hand handsets from private sellers).
The process for refurbishing a phone differs depending on the manufacturer, but it has several steps which should be comparable among different companies.
- Assessment: When the phone is first received, it goes through a period of assessment and evaluation to test what’s wrong with the device. This will help determine whether or not it’s worth refurbishing.
- Repair: If it’s affordable to repair the device, it will undergo refurbishment. This will involve repairing or replacing any damaged or faulty components. Software may also be updated during this process.
- Testing: The phone is then thoroughly tested to ensure that it works as intended and that the repair has been successful. It will also undergo quality assurance to ensure that it still meets industry safety standards for sale.
- Repackaging: Before shipping it back to the retailer or storefront, the phone is thoroughly cleaned and repackaged – usually in its original box, even if it’s not in as good condition as the device.
As long as you buy a refurbished phone from the manufacturer or a reputable retailer, it can be very reliable. Any damaged components have been replaced, so many aspects of a refurbished phone will be in “as-new” condition because they are, in fact, new.
That said, the phone will likely have some minor cosmetic damage, and it’s possible that the battery wasn’t replaced, so it may not hold its full charge like it would have when new. But refurbished phones should still be more reliable than your average second-hand device, and will typically come with some form of warranty.
Yes, almost always. Unlocking a phone is entirely legal in the UK. Though some mobile operators will lock phones to their network, you can just ask them to unlock a device for you. It’s possible that because you aren’t the original buyer, they might throw up a few roadblocks, but plenty of phone shops in the UK will unlock your phone for a small fee, if needed.
One of the best places to buy a refurbished phone is straight from the manufacturer. Samsung and Apple both offer robust refurbishment schemes, and you’ll find many of the latest-generation devices at steep discounts in their stores.
Some mobile operators, like O2 and GiffGaff, also offer refurbished phones. You can also go to third parties like MusicMagpie, Envirophone, and Mazuma Mobile, which all offer refurbished models from trade-ins.
Some traders on Ebay and Amazon also offer refurbished models, but those markets aren’t as regulated. If you elect to go this route, it is significantly harder to confirm quality than on a more official store.
Warranty is a huge component of buying a refurbished handset, as it can give you real peace of mind and varies dramatically depending on where and who you buy from.
For example, O2’s “Like New” phones typically come with a year of warranty, though that’s not always the case. GiffGaff offers a year-long retailer warranty as a minimum but can offer up to two years for certain handsets. Fonehouse, on the other hand, only offers a 30-day warranty itself but bundles a one-year warranty from the manufacturer.
Both Samsung and Apple offer a one-year warranty on refurbished phones.
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