Buying a refurbished phone is a great way to save money and may be more sustainable than if you were to buy a brand new one. But are refurbished phones good? Read on to learn more about whether refurbished phones are worth the money.
On this page:
- What is a refurbished phone?
- Are refurbished phones good?
- Are refurbished phones good for the environment?
- Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?
- What are the downsides to getting a refurbished phone?
- SIM-only plans for refurbished phones
- Is there a difference between used and refurbished phones?
- What should I look out for when buying a refurbished phone?
- Should I buy a refurbished phone?
- FAQs about refurbished phones
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What is a refurbished phone?
A refurbished phone is a smartphone that has been restored to full working condition after either being pre-owned, returned or used as a display model. This can include replacing parts such as the battery, screen or charging port. You can usually save quite a bit of money by opting for a refurbished phone, depending on how old the phone is and where you’re sourcing the device from.
Are refurbished phones good?
There are many benefits to buying a refurbished phone, which are detailed below:
Affordability
The amount you can save on the original price of a phone will vary depending on its age and condition, but Circles.Life advises buyers to expect a discount of as much as 50% and possibly even more.
Tried and tested
Refurbished phones from reputable sellers and telcos, such as Boost Mobile and Numobile, put the phones through multiple stages of testing and replace parts if necessary. This process typically involves ensuring the phone you’re buying isn’t stolen and that the previous owner’s data has been completely wiped.
Are refurbished phones good for the environment?
In addition, buying a refurbished phone extends the lifespan of the device, keeping it out of landfill for at least a little bit longer. According to the World Health Organisation, electronic waste, also known as e-waste, is the fastest growing form of solid waste in the world. So supporting a “circular economy” by giving the phone another life is more environmentally friendly than buying a brand new one.
Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?
Refurbished phones usually come with a warranty, often up to 12 months, so you can expect the phone to function normally and if it doesn’t, you may be eligible for a replacement. It’s important to read the warranty’s fine print to understand what it covers.
What are the downsides to getting a refurbished phone?
While there are many benefits to getting a refurbished phone, there are downsides as well, which are included below:
Shortened battery life
Refurbished phones might not have the same battery life as a new one if the battery has not been replaced.
Limited speed and features
Older phones may be slower due to having an older processor; the processor dictates the performance of a phone, such as how quickly it can undertake functions and run applications. You may also miss out on some of the features in newer phones, such as better cameras or 5G connectivity.
Longevity
When phones get to a certain age, they are no longer compatible with the newest software updates, which can cause issues when downloading some apps. Missing out on software updates can also mean you don’t get the latest security updates. You may be better off investing in technology that you know will last, rather than going through cheaper phones more quickly.
Physical appearance
A refurbished phone may also not be as pristine as a new phone and it wouldn’t be uncommon for it to have some minor defects such as scratches or dents.
SIM-only plans for refurbished phones
If you have a refurbished phone, you can use it with any SIM-only postpaid or prepaid mobile plan. This gives you a chance to shop around for the cheapest plans and avoid being stuck on a lengthy contract while you pay off a new smartphone.
Here is a selection of postpaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use Canstar Blue’s phone plan comparison tool to see a wide range of plans on offer from mobile providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Here is a selection of prepaid plans from Canstar Blue’s database with a minimum of 10GB of data, listed in order of standard cost, lowest to highest, then by data allowance, largest to smallest. Use our comparison tool to see a wide range of plans from other providers. This table includes products with links to referral partners.
Is there a difference between used and refurbished phones?
The main difference between used and refurbished phones is that there is no guarantee that a ‘used’ phone is going to be fully functional. In comparison, a refurbished phone generally has been repaired and tested to ensure it’s in wording order, and will also come with a warranty. Used phones are more of a gamble because there may be no warranty and obtaining a refund for a malfunctioning phone could be difficult.
What should I look out for when buying a refurbished phone?
While it’s largely safe to buy a refurbished phone, you should ensure you’re buying from a trusted seller. Check whether there is a warranty and what it covers. Look for other buyers’ feedback on the seller, such as online reviews. Ensure you carefully read the warranty and returns information before making your purchase.
Finally, once you receive the phone, check it thoroughly for any issues so you can report them immediately to the seller.
Should I buy a refurbished phone?
Whether you should buy a refurbished phone comes down to whether you’re willing to get slightly older tech to save some money. Ideally, there’s not going to be anything wrong with a refurbished phone aside from some minor scratches or dents.
If you’re worried about software or security updates, you might be better off with a new phone; unfortunately, there will come a point where the refurbished phone’s software will no longer be compatible with operating system updates. However, the same also applies with new smartphones, you’ll just get a longer window before software updates cease.
It’s also worth considering whether you’d prefer to buy a new, but cheaper, smartphone. If your heart isn’t set on one of the fancier phone makes, such as Samsung or iPhone, there are plenty more affordable options that will also do the job! To find out more, check out our guide to cheap phones.
FAQs about refurbished phones
- iPhones have a simple process to find out whether the phone has been refurbished. Go to Settings > General > About > Model Number.
- If the first letter of the model number is M, it’s a new device, meaning it hasn’t been refurbished. If the first letter is F, the phone has been refurbished. If the first letter is N, the phone was a replacement for a faulty iPhone, and if the model number begins with a P it means the device has a special engraving on it.
- Retailers typically sell refurbished phones without a SIM card. so you can either use a SIM you already have or sign up to a SIM-only phone plan. However, if you’re buying a refurbished phone as a phone-on-a-plan, this will most likely include a SIM card.
- If you’re after a new SIM-only plan to go with your refurbished phone, you can compare a wide range of SIM-only plans with our free phone plan comparison tool.
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