Buying Refurbished/Used Phones? Check 5 Tips While Making Your Decision

When it comes to buying a new phone, it’s easy to feel quickly overwhelmed by the options available. Whether it’s trying to keep up with constantly updating devices or finding a way to afford them, the smartphone arena is rapidly developing and unleashing new, exciting features.

Make better decisions to buy used/refurbished phones —
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For instance, consider Apple’s recent releases, the iPhone 8 and the iPhoneX (pronounced iPhone 10). The iPhone 8 is fairly similar to the previous iPhone 7 while the iPhone X is an almost entirely new playing field. It’s more futuristic, sleek, has gotten rid of some key iPhone staples, such as the center home button, and is experimenting with a facial recognition feature for the first time. However, the new device also costs anywhere from $999 to over $1,500. That’s a lot of cash to drop on a smartphone, especially if you aren’t necessarily interested in having a more futuristic-type phone.

Buying a refurbished phone can dramatically cut the cost of your brand new mobile phone, but is the essential phone any good? Have you made your mind to buy used, refurbished mobile phone? Have you considered a reconditioned cell phones or second-hand mobile rather than brand new? If you’re finding yourself feeling distressed while researching the best product for you or a loved one, then this page will definitely help you as because the refurbished smartphone might be the best option.

In the previous post I was talking about; Why iPhone is the Best Than Android? 25 Reasons | iPhone Vs. Android and today, I'm going to outline the quick things that you need to consider while buying used or refurbished mobile phones online or offline. Just keed reading to learn about refurbished devices.

So, what exactly is a refurbished phone? Why you should choose as a new device?

What does refurbished mean — This is a device that is typically used and was returned to either a manufacturer or a third-party seller due to some type of issue or impairment. The phone is then reconditioned and repaired as needed, returning it to a like-new condition. Often you’ll find a grading system in place that categorizes the refurbished phones based on how much exterior damage or signs of use they have.

Refurbished products also aren’t usually sold in original packaging or with original accessories, such as headphones. Since these phones are considerably tested, repaired, cleaned, reset and repackage items that'll only ever and less expensive reselling devices which are free from any noticeable damages.

Moreover, almost all the refurbished mobiles come with the manufacturer warranty so you may think to choose these phones as your new device.

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5 Tips to Keep in Mind While Buying Used or Refurbished Mobile Phones

Depending on your needs, refurbished devices might make the most sense for you. Here are some tips to keep in mind before you embark on finding the right phone.

5 Tips to Keep in Mind While Buying Used or Refurbished Mobile Phones:

1. Do your research.

Before you make any final decisions, proper research is an integral first step.

You’ll want to first research the types of used or refurbished phones that catch your interest. For example, you may want to find out if there were common defects found within certain used iPhone models before you pull the trigger on purchasing one. If so, that could heavily impact your final purchasing decision.

On top of that, you then want to research who is refurbishing the product: the manufacturer or a third-party retailer? There isn’t much of a difference between the end results—both third-party companies and manufacturers hire skilled expert technicians to repair the used phones. But you’ll need to look into the reputation of the company you plan to buy from. It may be helpful to narrow your search down to a few companies and then compare and contrast different features, such as cost, warranty arrangements, and reviews.

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2. Evaluate your reasons for buying a refurbished product.

There are many enticing reasons to consider buying a refurbished phone, and once you evaluate your main motivation behind doing so, it’ll make your decision of which device and company to move forward with a lot easier.

For example, if you’re planning to purchase a phone for a child, then a lower graded refurbished phone might be best. Unfortunately, kids don’t always have the best track record of keeping their phones looking new, and they might even be prone to losing their electronics. With that in mind, a slightly damaged phone will save you the heartache of watching your child scuff or scratch their new device.

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3. Keep an eye on that price.

By definition, a refurbished product is cheaper than its counterpart sold directly from the manufacturer or a newer model. This is because it’s been used and, while it’s been restored to its factory settings and will be in full-functioning working order, there’s a chance it has been subjected to surface damage or could be closer to the end of its lifespan (most phones last on average approximately a year and a half). If you find that the refurbished items you’re looking at are more expensive than new products directly from the manufacturer, you may want to keep searching.

On the other hand, the cheapest product isn’t always going to be the best deal. While saving money on electronic gadgets may seem like a rare occasion to take advantage of, you’ll again want to put in your due diligence to ensure that you’re actually getting a quality device. A cheaper phone might have more surface damage than others, and if that isn’t something you’re particularly interested in, you’ll want to remain alert and continue browsing.

Additionally, if there are specific features that you’d like to have on your refurbished iPhone or Android, then you may want to look further than the price tag again. The less expensive products are typically the oldest models available, so if you’re looking for features found in specific models, stay aware of what you’re looking at and don’t just consider its cheap price. Some new models do away with outdated features that you might prefer while, with other phones, it’s hard to tell the difference between the two models released around the same time. It all depends on which technological features you find to be a necessity in your device.

4. Figure out if you want an unlocked phone or want to stay within your network.

Certain phones may not work with your carrier if you’re already on a phone plan, which is a very important consideration to keep in mind while you’re looking for a phone. If you’re unwilling to leave your plan, then your choices may be limited. In this instance, it may also be an opportunity to buy directly from the manufacturer or find a certified pre-owned or refurbished product.

It also depends on if your phone is a CDMA (code division multiple access) or GSM (global system for mobiles) devices. CDMA phones use networked-based lists to verify subscribers, meaning you can only change your phone if you have a carrier’s permission. GSM phones, however, make it a bit easier to change your data to different devices because information is kept on a removable SIM card.

However, if you’re not devoted to staying on your phone plan, then an unlocked smartphone could be the route to take.

An unlocked phone is not tied to a specific network and will work with multiple service providers. You may have heard the term “jailbreaking” before, which refers to an unlocked iPhone. With an unlocked phone, you’ll still need a SIM card to get it working. If you go with an unlocked phone, you have to ensure that the phone is able to work with any carrier (again, GSM versus CDMA phone capabilities come into play here). There’s a lot of freedom behind using an unlocked phone, which is why some prefer it to the alternative of being confined to a specific carrier, but you have to be willing to put in the effort to make sure you have a working end result.

5. Make note of warranty and return policies.

No one wants to have to return their device, however, it’s important to make note of all policies in case something happens. Don’t be surprised if the return or warranty policies are not the same as those on new devices. Each company will have a different policy too, so make sure you’re comparing and contrasting this aspect while researching.

For instance, you don’t want to try to return your product if a defect arises or an accident occurs, only to find out that your policy doesn’t allow for that. It’ll also help you stay aware of avoiding certain situations, such as having your phone around water if the company you purchased it through does not allow water-damaged products to be returned.


By following these tips, the process of finding your refurbished smartphone can be a whole lot less stressful. Plus, once you finally get your product, you’ll certainly be satisfied with the outcome since you shopped for something that fits your exact needs.