Smartphones are essential, but often expensive, so refurbished phones have become an affordable and eco-friendly alternative to buying new. But what exactly does “refurbished” mean, and how do these phones compare to brand-new models? Today we’re breaking down everything you need to know, from how refurbished phones are restored and what to expect when buying one, to their performance, lifespan, and your rights as a consumer.

What is a refurbished phone?

A refurbished phone is a phone that has been previously owned, but has been restored to full working order. The key difference is that a refurbished phone undergoes a thorough process before being resold. Unlike a typical second-hand phone, which is sold as-is by an individual, a refurbished phone is professionally inspected and restored.

Refurbished phones have been thoroughly checked and repaired by technicians so that the company selling it to you (which might be the manufacturer, or might be a retailer) can be sure it is properly working and fit for use.

The meaning of refurbishment explained

A phone being refurbished means it has been returned to a seller, who has then thoroughly inspected, tested and if necessary, repaired it. Rather than being sold to you in its current condition by a private seller, it has been sent back to an appropriate refurbishing company who is equipped to assess it effectively, and can give you peace of mind that it is in full working order.

Are refurbished phones legal?

Refurbished phones are perfectly legal, and are subject to the same legalities that new phones are. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 states that the phone must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described, and we will talk more about this later.

Refurbished phones vs new

Many people question whether refurbished phones are ‘as good’ as new ones (spoiler alert: yes, we certainly think so!), or whether they can be better than buying brand new. Refurbished phones won’t necessarily work better than a new one, but importantly, they won’t work worse either.

When choosing between a refurbished phone and a brand-new one, there are several factors to consider. While a new phone offers the latest out-of-the-box experience, a refurbished phone provides a more budget-friendly and sustainable option without necessarily compromising on quality. Here are some of the other key aspects we tend to get asked about by customers looking to make an informed decision.

Speed

Refurbished phones are not necessarily slower than new ones – they should work similarly.

Of course, a secondhand phone may well be slower, depending on its age, as phones do tend to slow down after several years. However, a refurbished phone is one which has been reviewed, repaired, and confirmed as working well, so you are not buying something which is operating slowly or poorly.

Ultimately, all phones slow down over time, and a refurbished phone will age just like a brand-new one.

Lifespan

The lifespan of a refurbished phone depends on the type, brand and model of phone. Depending on how old any refurbished phone you buy is, you might find that it lasts you slightly less time than a new one would do, but this is because it is already older at the point of purchase, and not because anything to do with refurbishment lowers the lifespan (in fact, it can increase it).

If longevity is important to you, don’t worry; refurbished phones last just as long as new ones. Choosing a newer model ensures you’ll get years of use.

Battery health

Not all refurbished phones have new batteries, because they aren’t always needed! If the battery is still healthy during refurbishment, it won’t be replaced – just as you wouldn’t replace the battery of a phone bought new for no reason. However, phones that are being refurbished that have low battery health will have the battery changed so that it goes to you ready to use.

The battery health is usually judged by capacity, with 100% being full capacity of a brand new battery, but 80% being considered healthy (and the difference between them being very small).

Overheating

Some people wonder if refurbished phones can get hot or overheat. Yes, refurbished phones can get hot—but so can new ones. The reasons for this are mostly the same in both refurbished and new phones; heavy use (such as playing games, running lots of apps simultaneously, and anything else that gets the phone’s processor working very hard), environmental factors like bright sunshine or a warm day, and charging, especially if you are using a fast charger.

Getting a refurbished phone

Buying a refurbished phone is a great way to get a high-quality device at a lower price while reducing electronic waste. If you’ve never bought one before, here are some of the things to keep in mind.

What to consider when getting a refurbished phone

• Ensure that you buy from a reliable, reputable company; remember that second hand and refurbished aren’t the same thing, so buying from a private seller will give you limited protection. If it gives you peace of mind to be able to visit your retailer in person, choose a local provider where you can buy in store. We have stores in Ipswich, Norwich, Colchester and Chelmsford, so do come and see us if you’re in the area!
• Does it come with a warranty? Most reputable retailers will offer a warranty on refurbished phones, and again this can give you peace of mind on your purchase. We offer 12 months warranty.
• Consider the grading: refurbished phones are generally assessed in grade bands which will tell you what condition they are in. Remember that all will be ‘fit for purpose’ and satisfactory quality, but beyond that, think about what is important to you. Is it saving money? Having a particular make or model? Getting something as similar to a new phone as possible? Or something else? You may look to avoid a phone with any visible scratches, for example, or you may not be too bothered about cosmetic elements and more focused on price and usability.
• Check the returns policy to make sure you understand any returns period or terms.
• Not all refurbished phones will come with all of their original accessories, so make sure to note whether the one you are looking at does.

Do you get anything with a refurbished phone?

With a refurbished phone, you’re primarily buying the device itself, which may not include its original packaging or accessories. In most cases you can expect to receive a charger or charging cable, but it may not be the original.

What you should get is exactly what has been sold to you; the phone, in full working order, and as described. Any additions would be mentioned separately at the point of sale, either on the web page where you ordered it or by the person who assisted you in store.

Your rights when buying a refurbished phone

You still have rights when buying a refurbished phone, which is why it is better to buy refurbished than to buy secondhand from a private seller. Buying secondhand does not give you cancellation or refund rights, but when you buy refurbished from a retailer, the same rights as you would have when buying a new phone apply. If there is a fault that wasn’t disclosed at the time of purchase, you can get your money back.

You are protected by the Consumer Rights Act 2015, meaning that the phone must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose, and as described. This means that:

• The phone should not be faulty or damaged when you purchase it
• It should work as intended
• It should match the description provided at the point of sale, so it should be in line with the grade it has been allocated and any imperfections should be made clear prior to purchase
• If these are not the case, you can request a refund within 30 days

If you order your refurbished phone online from a retailer in the UK, you also have consumer rights through the Consumer Contract Regulations, which state that you can cancel your order without penalty within 14 days, and that you are entitled to a full refund within 14 days of sending your goods back.

Should you reset a refurbished phone?

When you’ve got your refurbished phone home and are ready to start using it, you should be able to do so immediately. You should not have to reset a refurbished phone; any refurbishment process should include a total wipe of the device and restoration to factory settings. Effectively, you should be buying a phone that is a ‘clean slate’ for you.

If this isn’t the case, check with the retailer you bought it from – and if it doesn’t seem to have been reset, then certainly do a full reset yourself to ensure all of the previous owner’s data has been erased.

Refurbished phones: advantages and disadvantages

Truthfully, there aren’t many disadvantages to buying refurbished! Of course, you should be aware that you may not get the original accessories and chargers, and you are unlikely to get the original packaging, but how much this matters is very personal.

If you are someone who likes to have the newer models, you won’t have as large a choice as you would when buying new, but you will still have option.

Even the lifespan of refurbished phones isn’t a big drawback, as they do not inherently last less time – it’s just that they’ve already been in use by the time they reach you.

Buying a refurbished phone does come with some key benefits:

• It is an environmentally-friendly choice that helps to reduce electronic waste, contributing to a circular economy
• They save you money on what you would pay for the equivalent new phone
• This in turn can sometimes mean you get a device with a much higher spec than you would have done at the ‘new’ price
• They are a particularly great option for those on a SIM-only contract for this reason

Thinking of trying a refurbished phone for yourself? Visit us in-store in Ipswich, Norwich, Colchester, or Chelmsford to check out our selection of refurbished devices and find the perfect one for you.