The lifespan of refurbished phones (and how to extend yours!)

If you’re looking into getting a refurbished phone, it’s not uncommon to wonder about how long it might last you. Luckily, the idea that refurbished phones don’t last very long is a big misconception; they’re actually a great option for people who want to make sure they’re buying something that is going to be durable and long-lasting, as well as limiting environmental impact.But how long might you expect them to last, and what can you do to keeping them in good working order for as long as possible? Let’s take a look.

What is the lifespan of refurbished phones?

The short answer to this question is that a refurbished phone should last you years.

The more detailed answer needs to take into consideration a lot of different factors, as it heavily depends on the type, brand and model of phone, just as the question of how long a new phone lasts would do. Larger, more high end and well known brands will usually last longer than smaller brands for both new and refurbished phones.

It also depends on how old the refurbished device is and what grade it is; something that is already several years old may not last as long as a refurbished device that is 18 months old, for example. Refurbished phones last as long as new ones in the context of the device’s full life, as being refurbished isn’t something that will shorten a phone’s lifespan – it will only extend it. However, for obvious reasons, if you were to buy a four year old refurbished phone it may not necessarily outlive a brand new phone purchased at the same time. That said, a refurbished phone in excellent condition with great battery health that is taken care of has every chance of lasting around the same amount of time.

Things like what kind of apps you use on your phone will also influence its lifespan, and of course, it depends on where you have bought it from – whether it has come from a reputable provider who has carefully checked and restored it, plus sold it to you with transparency on what grade it is.

The quality of the refurbishment is something we pride ourselves on at ArmaFone, with a rigorous testing process and any necessary repairs or replacements done using high quality parts and the expertise of our technicians.

Average lifespans of refurbished phones

In general, a refurbished phone can often last you 3-4 years and beyond, despite it being common now for people to upgrade to a new phone every 2-3 years. You should expect:

• 6-9 years of use from an iPhone: so subtract the age of the phone from this number to get your expected refurbished lifespan
• 5-8 years of use from the higher end Android brands like Google Pixel and Samsung phones, so subtract the age of the phone from this number to get your expected refurbished lifespan
• 3-6 years of use from the smaller Android brands, like Oppo and Huawei, so subtract the age of the phone from this number to get your expected refurbished lifespan

Remember that all phones are likely to get slower before they become inoperable. You will generally notice a slowdown around the 6 year mark, but that doesn’t mean you will be left without a phone – you may just notice that it doesn’t function instantaneously as it once did.

Additionally, when the latest software versions stop being available for that device, you will likely see a drop in operating efficiency. For Apple devices, software updates are released to support a given phone for at least five years from its ‘supply date’; for Samsung and Google, it’s at least seven. Again, this does not mean that your phone will stop working, but it won’t work at its peak.

Of course, there are always exceptions, and it’s not impossible for something to go wrong with a refurbished phone – the same is true of new ones. If you are buying from a reputable supplier, it should come with a warranty. All of our refurbished phones come with a 12 month warranty as standard for quality assurance and peace of mind.

How to make your refurbished phone last as long as possible

There are several good habits you can get into to extend the lifespan of your refurbished phone. If you’re generally a careful person, then nothing suggested here will be difficult to do. If you have less of a tendency to look after your possessions, you might need to put a bit more effort in!

Protect the battery life

The battery is one of the most critical elements in how all phones age, and often one of the first parts of a phone that will show signs of wear. To prolong battery life, avoid letting it drain completely – instead, charge it when it gets relatively low (around 20-30%) and stop when it reaches 80-85%. Heat from overcharging is detrimental to your phone’s battery performance over time and will take its toll on the longevity.

Try battery-saving mode

Your phone is likely to have a battery-saving mode that can be enabled manually or automatically. This mode conserves energy by taking measures like lowering your screen brightness, using dark mode, and refreshing apps only when you open them, amongst other things. This can avoid your battery draining entirely and keep you closer to that 20% charge zone for longer.

Keep software updated

Software updates from your operating system aren’t just there to release new features; they also help to optimise the performance and security of your phone. As and when these updates are released, make sure to download and install them (you can set this to happen automatically so that you don’t have to do anything each time) so as not to miss out on any bug fixes or security patches.

Don’t overload it

Some apps or functions can be hugely resource-intensive for your device. Before you go downloading every single app that catches your eye, consider whether you will actually use it and whether your phone is the best place for it.

Manage your storage

The realisation that we have many thousands of images on our phones is a familiar one for lots of people, but to run smoothly, phones need sufficient storage space. If you can ensure you have a proportion of free space available – perhaps 10-15% – then you will extend the lifespan of your phone.

Take care of it

It may sound silly or obvious, but our phones see a lot of daily use and as such they are constantly exposed to dirt. Prevent build up in your phone’s charging ports, microphones and other parts by giving it a regular clean to ensure the functionality stays where you need it to be

Keep on top of your data

Back up regularly, delete unused apps and files, and generally make sure you are keeping on top of things. This can be surprisingly impactful for keeping things running smoothly, particularly as your refurbished phone gets older.

Close nonessential background processes

Your phone is running multiple processes in the background the entire time you have it – you just might not be aware of them! Many of these are essential for keeping it operational, but there are a handful that aren’t strictly necessary, and closing these can help your phone to function faster. These might be things like:

• Notifications for some apps: while you’ll want to receive notifications for things that matter to you, there might be other apps for which notifications are just not important
• Location tracking: depending on your personal situation and preference, this may be something you would prefer only be on when certain apps are in use, rather than constantly
• Other app activity: for apps that you have downloaded for a specific purpose or situation, it might not make sense for these to constantly run in the background

Protective accessories

A simple drop can be detrimental to your phone’s lifespan as well as causing unnecessary hassle for you. A good phone case and screen protector can do wonders for keeping your phone working well for longer, avoiding the need to spend money you didn’t plan on.

Get problems fixed properly

If you do notice an issue with your refurbished phone – whether that is freezing, slower speeds or something else – address it promptly to avoid it turning into more of an issue. Do a quick run through of the points above, but if that doesn’t help, seek the advice of an expert to diagnose any problems. If you’re in East Anglia, you can visit the ArmaFone team in Norwich, Ipswich, Colchester and Chelmsford – we’re always happy to help.

Thinking of trying a refurbished phone for yourself? Browse our selection of refurbished devices in store, or find out more on our website.