Do’s and Don’ts When Buying a Refurbished Smartphone
Prices for flagship smartphones continue to rise. At this stage, if you want to buy the newest and best, you need to shell out over a thousand dollars. But before you do that, it’s a good idea to take a look at refurbished smartphones. Refurbished smartphones – especially those sold directly from the manufacturer – offer you the same flagship device (not even a year old) at a discount.
Read on to find out what refurbished smartphones are, what you need to know before buying a refurbished iPhone or Android smartphone, and to learn about trusted sources for shopping.
What is a “refurbished” smartphone?
Although there is no official definition of a “refurbished” product, it usually refers to a smartphone that has been used (even if it just took it out of the box) and then returned to the company (manufacturer, carrier or retailer), which then performed some checks and corrected what needed to be fixed (if any).
This is why it is important to note that the words “refurbished”, “certified refurbished” and “refurbished” are used synonymously. “Refurbished by the manufacturer” means that repairs or upgrades have been performed by the manufacturer itself (which is better than being done by third parties).
Otherwise, there is no fundamental difference between a new and a refurbished smartphone.
Things to check before buying a refurbished phone
Now that you know what a refurbished smartphone is, here are a few things you need to know before purchasing to avoid defective devices.
- Check for warranty availability. The fact that you are buying a refurbished device does not mean that you are not receiving a warranty. In fact, some devices come with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty (with the option to extend the warranty). Make sure your device has at least a couple of months warranty before purchasing.
- Buy from the manufacturer. While you won’t get the most bang for your buck, it’s safest to buy refurbished devices directly from the manufacturer. Many popular companies like Apple and Samsung have their own certified refurbished programs. These devices will be tested and repaired directly by the manufacturer, making them a safer option for long term use.
- Read the fine print. Please make sure everything is in order before purchasing. Check the warranty details, device condition and year of manufacture. Most refurbished smartphones are unlocked, but this is what you should check before purchasing.
- Don’t buy a device that is too old. Selling a discount on what used to be a flagship device sounds very tempting. But it is better to buy a smartphone that is one year old (or at most two). Older devices, even if they’ve been refurbished, won’t be a good investment in the long run (especially since most Android smartphones get about two years of updates , if you’re lucky).
- Skip the lowball offers. If you see a refurbished smartphone selling for less than half its MSRP, there is probably a catch. While refurbished phones are cheaper compared to newer models, good ones won’t be that cheap.
Where to Buy Refurbished iPhones or Android Smartphones
You should buy a refurbished smartphone from a trusted and trusted source – this means staying away from places like Craigslist for this purchase. Fortunately, there are many reliable and trusted sources for buying refurbished devices, including locations offering warranty and extended support.
Gazelle
Gazelle is one of the most popular places to sell used smartphones. They make the process very simple – a used device goes through a lengthy certification process to make sure it’s not defective. In this process, any glaring problems are fixed with the help of replacement parts.
Gazelle also has a 30-day return policy, so if something goes wrong with your phone, you can always get a replacement.
Back market
The Back Market shines with its transparency. It has a transparent rating system for each device, both in terms of appearance and technical condition. Each device is rigorously tested, and if there are any problems, they are eliminated.
Back Market offers a 1 year warranty and a 30 day return policy.
Apple
Unsurprisingly, the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone is from Apple itself . Their “Certified Refurbished” program offers the same one-year warranty (upgradeable to AppleCare + for extended warranty), a new battery, and all accessories. All repairs are performed by Apple.
You won’t save a lot of money because of this (there isn’t a 50% discount here), but you will get an iPhone that is basically as good as new at around 20% off, which is nothing to laugh at.
Samsung
Samsung has a similar certified Refurbished Smartphone program. These smartphones are updated to a new condition and come with a one-year warranty.
Amazon Renewed
Amazon also has its own repair program. Amazon Renewed provides competitively priced refurbished devices with a 90-day warranty period. Amazon Renewed products are professionally tested and have a capacity of over 80%.
Best buy
Best Buy offers a wide variety of used, opened, and refurbished smartphones. There is a 14-day return policy and even used smartphones (not certified refurbished) come with a 90-day warranty.
Mobile operators
If you have a contract, you should check if your carrier has a device recovery program. Popular carriers like Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T do it all. You get the same flagship device for a lower price with a convenient monthly payment option.