There’s no denying the expense of forking out money for a brand new phone. This is why many people turn to used or refurbished phones in an effort to save a little money on a device that, for all purposes, works just as well. If you’re looking to invest in a used or refurbished phone, you may be confused about the difference between the two and which would be better to purchase. In this latest article, we look into the differences between used and refurbished phones, plus the pros and cons of each to help you make an informed decision about your next purchase.
A refurbished phone is a device that has already had one or multiple previous owners. Refurbished phones tend to be sold by individuals to networks or manufacturers to be fixed or repaired. Multiple checks and tests are then run on the phone to make sure it functions effectively and performs as well as a brand new phone would. These refurbished devices are then sold on to the public at discounted prices to what you might find for a fresh new device.
When refurbishing phones and devices, networks and manufacturers take the phone through an initial rigorous inspection and testing process. This is to asses how much repair the phone will need. Every necessary step is then taken to refurbish and repair the phone back to the standard of a brand new device. This can include repairs to cosmetic damage or cracks, as well as resolving battery and internal issues. It is only after this process that the phone can then be sold on to the public.
The difference between seller and manufacturer refurbishment depends on whether the company who made the phone is making the repairs. This means that anyone other than the original company who made and sold the device and is refurbishing the phone would be classified as a seller. An individual seller can also refer to a private individual who works on and sells refurbished phones, but typically this term applies to third-party companies with expert refurbishers. To ensure you purchase a high-quality refurbished phone, it always comes recommended to stick to well-known third-party refurbishers with a good reputation for putting out quality products, just like we offer here at Mozillion.
Condition ratings are catetgoies that refurbished phones are placed in when being sold, according to their current condition. Each condition rating is priced differently, with phones in optimum condition costing more and those with more visible use made more affordable. Here at Mozillion, we offer refurbished phones with three separate categories of condition:
Brand new
Completely brand new, boxed and unopened, with no previous use.
Battery health: 100%
Good as New
Refurbished and fully tested to look and work just like new, with no marks visible.
Battery health: 90% or higher
Excellent
In excellent condition, with only minor signs of use that are hard to spot at an arm’s length away.
Battery health: 85% or higher
A used phone refers to a device that has had one or more previous owners. With a used phone you are typically getting what you see, with no repairs or refurbishment being carried out on the device prior to selling. Often used phones are sold by private or individual sellers who don’t have the access to phone repairs or lack the adequate skill to refurbish the phone themselves. Used phones are easily accessed and sold by thousands of private sellers online.
You get a device that has been professionally serviced
When buying a refurbished phone, you can take peace of mind in the fact that it has been repaired and refurbished to work to an optimum standard by a third-party expert company.
Warranties
With refurbished phones from respected third-party repairers, you will often have the option of a warranty. This means if your phone stops working or develops issues within a given time frame, repairs can be made or a replacement issued with no extra cost to you as the buyer.
As good as a new phone at a lower price
If you’re not overly concerned about having a brand new phone directly from the manufacturer, a refurbished phone is a great option to save money. These devices are often as good as a brand new model and allow you to save often a huge chunk of money.
Will most likely have had a previous owner
The downside of a refurbished phone is that it will always have had at least one previous owner unless the sales advert specifically says it is brand new and has never been used. Some buyers may want to be the only person who has ever owned the phone, which would be a con with refurbished devices.
Reduced warranties
While many refurbished phones come with warranties from third-party repairers, these are often much shorter than the warranties you get when purchasing a new phone directly from a manufacturer. This means if you have any issues with your phone, you have a shorter period where you are covered for cost-free repairs or replacements.
Might be harder to insure
Although many insurers offer cover for refurbished mobile phones, many don’t and it can be a trickier process overall. This can make the option of buying a refurbished phone less convenient in the long run.
Easily accessible
One of the primary benefits of used phones is they are accessible and available from just about anywhere in the world. With a quick search online or scroll through your social media, you are likely to find countless posts or adverts for people looking to sell their used mobile devices, which gives you lots of options and phones to choose from.
A good way to save money
Phones that are used and being sold on with no additional repair or refurbish costs are a great way to save money. Typically these used devices are sold by private sellers for a significant discount than the original manufacturer would sell the phone for brand new. If you have budget concerns, a used phone may be a good way to go.
You may be able to get a good deal with friends/family
While used phones are more affordable than brand new devices, you may be able to save even more money when buying through friends or family. By asking around your social circle to see who has a used device to sell, you may even get a better or more discounted deal than buying with a separate private seller.
You risk the condition of the device
The biggest potential downside of buying a used phone is that you’re buying a device that you can only take at face value. While the phone may have no cosmetic damage, that doesn’t mean it will perform at the best level or not have any internal damage. Private sellers will not refurbish or perform repairs so it quite literally comes down to how honest they choose to be about the overall condition of the phone.
Risks of purchasing from private sellers
You can buy used phones from any individual that wants to sell them, which comes with potential risks surrounding quality and authenticity. When buying a used phone it is best to purchase from someone you trust to avoid being scammed and paying money for a subpar used device.
No warranty
With private sellers, there is absolutely no binding warranty. This means if you buy a used phone from someone and the next day it stops working, they have no legal obligation to pay for repairs or replace the phone.
To conclude, for a service and device you can trust, we always recommend opting for refurbished phones. This allows you not only to save money but also to have faith in a third-party repairer to provide you with a quality mobile phone. Here at Mozillion, we have some excellent refurbished phone deals on our website. For example, you could pick up a refurbished iPhone 15 or Google Pixel 10 and still pay far less than you would for the newest flagships. Take a browse through some of the best Apple, Samsung and Google phones today with countless options for a new iPhone, refurbished iPhone or new and refurbished androids.
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