Considering how expensive the best smartphones are today, buying a refurbished phone might allow you to enjoy the newest apps, features, and phone models at a discounted rate. This works out to be a win-win opportunity because, along with getting a great deal for your new cell phone, you’re also doing good for the environment by reducing waste.
Not sure what a refurbished phone is and whether it’s a wise choice to buy one? You’re in the right place. Through this article, we give you some tips and tricks to keep in mind before buying a refurbished phone. We will also tell you where and how you can get the best phone deal.
Refurbished phones are previously used phones that have been returned to the manufacturer or official seller. A lot of times, these mobile phones have no damage. The previous owner just chose to upgrade their phone from an old iPhone 6s to a new Apple iPhone XS Max, or they may have bought the Apple iPhone XR, but before opening the box, they realized they preferred the Samsung Galaxy S9.
The manufacturer then runs checks on the cell phone and repairs any damages before selling it at a discounted price as a ‘refurbished phone.’
These phones have as-good-as-new functionality but may have a scratch or two on the external body. Either way, it’s well worth it if you can get an Apple iPhone SE for the price of an iPhone 7 Plus.
Well, yes, refurbished phones are used phones, but they’re not the same thing.
When you’re buying a pre-owned phone, you’re buying the phone just as it was returned or sold by its previous user, without any repairs or checks. Of course, it is possible for such phones to also be in excellent working condition, but there’s no assurance of that.
On the other hand, a refurbished phone was sold by the previous user to the manufacturer or a certified reseller, where it was evaluated, repaired, and reconditioned by technicians before re-selling.
Ideally, you want to buy your refurbished phone from the manufacturer directly or from a trusted source, so you know that it's an unlocked phone that has been thoroughly checked. A refurbished phone should work and look like a new one, with optimal battery life and a good response time.
When buying a refurbished iPhone or an Android phone, you might have a few questions: What if it’s not in good condition? What if it starts giving you problems in just a few weeks?
Well, here are some things you can check for when buying a refurbished phone to prevent yourself from entering into a bad deal.
Here are some of the best refurbished phones that are available as of June 2022, along with the prices.
This smartphone is 5G compatible and is equipped with a versatile quad lens camera and a 6.7” Super AMOLED+ Infinity Display.
Some of its other features include:
A big pro with Samsung phones is that you can buy a certified renewed phone straight off the official Samsung website. This phone is professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by Samsung technicians and sold on their website for $275, down from the $924.99 a new model would cost.
This smartphone is compatible with carrier choices like Straight Talk and has an ultrawide mode to capture photos and videos.
Some of its other features include:
This refurbished phone is available on the official Apple website and has had analytical tests and repairs performed by the Apple team. You can buy this refurbished phone from Apple for $739, reduced from the $999 that a new phone would cost you. However, keep in mind that earphones are not included with this phone.
This smartphone comes with a 12MP dual-pixel rear camera and has a battery life of up to 24 hours. In addition, this phone has a voice command feature that lets you send messages, get directions, and perform other functions using your voice.
Some other features include:
You can buy this refurbished Google Pixel phone for $329.95 on Amazon or $138.98 on eBay. The original website does not sell refurbished phones. Also, note that the sim card and headphones are not provided in this package.
Many websites sell refurbished phones, and you can look at a couple to find the best deal for yourself. These websites include wireless carriers like Straight Talk, smartphone companies like Apple, Motorola, and Samsung, and other retailers like Amazon. Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) like Tracfone and Straight Talk are well-known prepaid smartphone brands that utilize AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile networks and offer lucrative phone plans for 4G LTE, 5G, and GSM unlocked phones to users.
Here is a list of some well-known websites where you can buy your refurbished phone:
The Straight Talk returns policy states that if you find any damage on delivery or discrepancy in the device order, you must claim this within 48 hours of delivery, after which your claims won’t be accepted.
If the phone you ordered was not defective, but you want to return it anyway, you can do so within seven days of delivery for a full refund. Note here that the package should be in the same condition as when you received it, with all original parts and manuals, and only then will you qualify for a refund. The fine print also states that the phone should not have been used and should have a cumulative talk time of fewer than 25 minutes if you wish to return it within the first seven days.
However, you are expected to bear any return shipping costs. In addition, all accepted returns will be subjected to a 20% restocking fee even if they are in like-new condition.
The devices sold on Straight Talk come with a 60-day warranty. To learn more about the conditions for a warranty claim and other conditions for returns, you can read the fine print on the returns page.
If you have made it to the end of this article, you’re probably leaning towards giving refurbished phones a try. We have some tips to make sure you’re getting a good deal when buying a refurbished phone.
The primary reason you’re looking into refurbished phones is so you can save money. So, make sure you’re getting a good deal when buying the refurbished phone.
Your refurbished phone will always be considerably cheaper than a new phone, and you can look at different websites to find the best possible deal.
You don’t want to spend money on a refurbished phone, receive a damaged product, and then realize that your seller doesn’t take returns and your money went down the drain. Always double-check that your seller will take returns if you aren’t happy with your purchase.
Warranty is super important, especially with refurbished phones. Sometimes, the phone may work fine the week you buy it, and soon after, it might start giving you problems. This can happen if your phone was refurbished using duplicate parts or if an unknown company refurbished it. So double-check the warranty on the phone before your purchase to protect yourself from future phone repair expenses.
As we’ve stated, you want to ensure that your phone has been refurbished by a reputable company that wouldn’t cheat you. The only way to verify this is to buy from a reputable vendor. If you purchase it from an unknown site, read the fine print about who refurbished the phone.
In addition, avoid costly hidden problems by purchasing a history report on Phonecheck for about the cost of a cup of coffee. This is a detailed scan that will check for problems with your phone.
When buying a used phone, the trust between the seller and the buyer plays a crucial role in a smooth transaction. Phonecheck is an enterprise that helps you certify used devices to buy a quality refurbished phone. So if you’re buying a used device, make sure to first get a Phonecheck certified history report!
