Pros and Cons of Buying a Refurbished Mobile Phone

Pros and Cons of Buying a Refurbished Mobile Phone

If you’re debating the pros and cons of buying a refurbished phone, this guide can help you make an informed decision. When you know what to look for in a refurbished purchase, you’ll feel more confident about your choice.

A refurbished smartphone can be a great deal. Brand-new iPhone prices range between just over $1,000 to approximately $2,499. With a refurbished device, you have the opportunity to own a newer model phone at a reduced price. Often, the savings are significantly lower than the list price of a new smartphone.

Beyond being budget-friendly, a refurbished phone has several more advantages over buying brand-new phones or used phones directly from an individual. Once you discover the pros and cons, you’ll learn that the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.

What is the difference between used and refurbished phones?

The labels “used” and “refurbished” mistakenly get referred to interchangeably. While it’s true that a previous owner once owned a refurbished phone, making it essentially "used," there are definitive differences between the two labels.

A used phone may be referred to as a second-hand phone. An individual has decided to sell their phone directly to a consumer. Any faults, issues, or damages incurred by the previous owner remain in place unless otherwise specified. As a consumer, you place your trust in the information provided by the original owner. In essence, you have no verifiable way of knowing the history of the phone you’re buying.

A refurbished phone, by contrast, is a phone traded in or returned by an individual to a retailer, manufacturer, or network. The company then runs the phone through a series of diagnostic tests, makes the necessary repairs, and certifies that it functions properly and up to a set standard.

What does a refurbished phone mean?

A refurbished phone refers to any phone that a customer returns to the manufacturer or company for one of several reasons. Perhaps the person tried out their new phone for a brief time period and decided that it didn’t meet their needs or expectations.

In some cases, the phone had issues and needed repairs which led to the customer receiving a replacement model. The original faulty phone undergoes needed repairs. Reputable companies ensure the smartphone’s battery, buttons, cameras, and overall functions are in proper working order before placing the phone for sale again.

Often, phones are returned for an upgrade. Certain customers prefer owning the newest model on the market. In exchange, the company buys back the older model and refurbishes it. This process involves assessing the returned device for damage, confirming that the phone is in good working order, and removing all stored data from the previous customer.

In each case, after going through the refurbishing process, the phone may be labelled with a level of quality before going on sale. The level of care taken in refurbishment varies from company to company. Reputable companies provide the most comprehensive screening and repair processes before releasing the phone onto the market.

Buying a refurbished smartphone: the pros and cons

It’s critical to understand the benefits and drawbacks of buying a refurbished smartphone. Knowing what to expect can help you decide if a refurbished device is right for you.

Refurbished phones are not brand-new phones. Odds are high that you won’t receive your smartphone in its original box. This means that it may not come with the special accessories included in the initial packaging. Also, special paperwork or instructions may be missing. However, pertinent information about your phone often can be found online.

Refurbished phones tend to be higher in price than used phones. The time and energy required to refurbish a phone will factor into the cost. However, the price increase reflects the guarantee that you’re purchasing a phone in high-quality condition and in good working order.

Some wear and tear from the previous owner may still be present and noticeable. Often these imperfections affect the phone's cosmetic appearance and do not impact the device’s functionality. Unfortunately, unless you buy a brand-new phone, you can’t ensure you’re receiving a phone in pristine condition.

You won’t be able to buy the newest, just-released phone or one only available for pre-sale. As the second owner, you’ll have to wait for the process of the initial purchase and subsequent return to occur before you get a chance to see it on sale.

It’s budget-friendly. The amount you’ll save by purchasing a refurbished phone over a new phone can be up to and may exceed 50 percent off the retail price. And, while you may have to wait a short time period after the release of the newest models, you can still own the latest tech. Only, in this case, you’ll have paid significantly less for essentially the same phone.

You’re not locked into a contract with big telco. When you buy a new phone, you often sign a contract that lasts between 12 and 24 months. In that time, you may be paying off the high price tag through financing options. However, with a refurbished phone, there’s generally no contract to sign and much less to finance. As a result, you have greater freedom to replace your phone whenever it suits your needs and to choose a SIM-only plan that fits your budget.

Save yourself worry and stress by knowing the refurbished phone you purchased is in good working order. As opposed to buying a used phone, you can rest assured that your refurbished phone has gone through a cycle of checks and tests to ensure its quality. With a used phone, you’re taking a gamble that the seller is being honest with you or that there’s not a hidden issue waiting to surface until after it’s in your possession.

It’s environmentally friendly to buy refurbished phones. By re-using a phone rather than opting for brand new, you’re extending the life of these devices and reducing the amount of electronic waste. In addition to keeping devices from becoming trash as quickly, you’ll help the planet’s well-being by reducing the demand for new phones. As a result, factories produce fewer pollutants and carbon emissions.

What are SIM-only plans for refurbished phones?

With a refurbished phone you have more flexibility with how you pay your bill as compared to buying a new device. With a new smartphone, you’d most likely enter into a lengthy contract that locks you into a set monthly payment. If you decide to leave the contract, you may pay more in fees than the original amount.

Refurbished phones often use SIM-only postpaid and prepaid mobile plans which give you the option of paying only for the amount of data you need. SIM-only means that you’re only paying for phone purchases and not the lease or financing the purchase.

4 Tips for buying a refurbished phone

Buying a pre-owned model can be a great deal - as long as you’re a smart consumer. Save time and money when buying a refurbished mobile phone by following these tips.

Check that it's factory restored with no evidence of the previous owner

Look for a manufacturer warranty and a risk-free return policy

Only accept a price lower than a brand-new phone

“Carrier unlocked” is listed in the description

Check the factory settings. You don’t want to buy a phone that still includes the previous owner’s information. When a mobile phone is properly refurbished, it is factory restored, meaning you will find no evidence of the former owner. In the event the used or so-called refurbished phone you purchased has not undergone a factory reset, consider it a red flag that it may have been stolen. Be under the advisement that such a phone is not safe to use.

You should be offered a manufacturer's warranty. A reputable retailer will offer a warranty that may last up to a year. Also, look for a set amount of time for making returns without fees or repercussions. Without these safeguards in place, you may be dealing with an untrustworthy company and may get stuck with a poorly functioning phone.

The price of a refurbished phone should be lower than buying a brand-new one. Once a phone is returned and placed through the refurbishing process, it loses its value. There are no exceptions to this point, even for Apple phones.

If you buy a refurbished phone from a foreign country, double-check the description for the phrase “carrier unlocked.” Otherwise, you may receive a locked phone creating headaches you could have avoided.

Where can you buy a refurbished iPhone in Australia?

Now that you can answer “What are the pros of buying a refurbished phone?” you can make a more informed purchasing decision. The most important takeaway is to make sure you’re buying a refurbished device from a reputable retailer.

Circles.Life is proud to have partnered with Ozmobiles. Ozmobiles works hard to ensure your refurbished phone is in top-quality condition by testing all phones through a 72-point check process. And it provides a twelve-month warranty with a 30-day risk-free return policy.