Top 10 Platforms for Buying Refurbished Phones

Market-leading phones such as the new iPhone 12 Pro Max, Galaxy S21 Ultra, and One Plus 9 Pro may come with the latest technology and the best reviews but they also come at the highest prices! 

It can be extremely difficult to find a trusted website when it comes to looking for a refurbished phone.

This guide outlines the best and most trusted websites where you can get a good quality refurbished phone at an even better price.

Used Versus Refurbished Phones

Before diving into the list of platforms, it is important to first understand what exactly a ‘refurbished phone’ is compared to buying a ‘used’ or ‘second-hand’ one instead.

A used phone or a second-hand phone is comparatively cheaper than a refurbished phone.

However, the cheaper price comes at a cost as used phones usually come with no warranty and fewer guarantees.

On the other hand, a refurbished phone, which comes at a higher price but is still extremely affordable is repaired by a certified technician and often comes with a degree of protection in terms of its warranty.

Therefore, it's important to not get confused between the two as a refurbished phone has gone through various inspections and testing before which also explains the higher price compared to a used phone.

You can also get lucky and get a refurbished phone that was simply bought and returned or one that has been very slightly used.

What are the different types of refurbished phones?

Here is a general overview of how refurbished phones are categorized:

Grade A - ‘Like New’

Grade A phones appear new and only have very minor signs of damage.

Usually, new phones are ones that have just been bought and have been returned and only the box has been opened.

Grade B - ‘Very Good’

Grade B phones in most cases have some scratches and light cosmetic damage but have still not been heavily used previously.

Grade C - ‘Good’

If you decide to buy a Grade C phone you should expect a certain degree of damage as they are known to look used and have signs of wear.

1. eBay

eBay is a well-known platform for buying and selling goods and services, especially mobile phones.

You can find a huge variety of phones being sold by different sellers at different price points.

These sellers are usually refurbishing companies or simply regular people looking to sell their old phones once they get a new one. 

Therefore, it is important to check exactly who you are buying your phone from when you use eBay.

There are also many sellers who provide refurbished phones at a good rate with no extra shipping cost - Make sure you lookout for those! 

Lastly, eBay has a Money Back Guarantee policy in place which allows customers to shop hassle-free.

The Money-Back Guarantee applies to most items sold on eBay with no extra coverage fee or shipping costs on eligible purchases.

2. Amazon

Like eBay, the Amazon website also has ‘Amazon Renewed’ within its electronics department where you can find refurbished products.

Here, you can find a wide variety of refurbished phones at a good price listed by sellers who have good reviews and high rates. 

All of the phones listed under this heading are ones sold by sellers you can trust.

The phones are inspected and tested to ensure that they work properly and to guarantee that you are getting exactly what is described online.

The most important part is that all phones are insured for one year by Amazon Renewed. 

Additionally, Amazon also provides an A-Z Guarantee which protects customers when they buy items sold by third-party sellers.

This guarantee covers aspects like delivery time, condition of items, any issues with exchanges and returns.

3. O2

Another platform great for purchasing refurbished phones is O2.

Here, every refurbished or ‘like new’ phone sold on their website through a 5 point check which includes ensuring:

• There are no cracks on the screen
• There are only a few superficial scratches on the phone
• There are no more than 5 deep scratches/chips up to 2mm in length
• All data has been wiped
• There is a 12-month warranty included

The website also outlines different payment plans for purchasing a refurbished phone which makes the entire process much easier and affordable.

4. Argos

Argos is a recognized retailer that sells refurbished phones.

Not only do you have the option to place an order online but you also have the option to visit the store in person and get your phone immediately! 

Most importantly, Argos has a one-year manufacturer warranty which gives you a great degree of protection, a 30-day policy, and a 48-hour free courier service.

You can also buy other refurbished electronics from Argos such as handsets and benefit from their year-round sales!

5. Giff Gaff

If you decide to buy a refurbished phone from GiffGaff, you have the choice between four different categories; new, excellent, very good, and good.

You can learn more about these categories here.

All refurbished phones sold by GiffGaff have gone through the necessary checks to ensure they are secure.

Additionally, if there are any issues all refurbished phones are covered by a 12-month warranty.

With your refurbished phone you will get a standard charging cable and a sim as well.

6. Reboxed

All refurbished phones sold at Reboxed are scored and priced individually based on the phone's condition and quality as opposed to the more ‘general’ grading criteria other platforms adopt.

All phones sold at Reboxed come with a 12-month guarantee once you register your phone. 

You also get more accessories compared to other refurbished phone retailers such as a charging cable, microfibre cloth, and a special biodegradable eco phone case.

Additionally, all phones come unlocked so you don’t have to worry about switching your provider and are free to choose your own. 

You can learn more about what Reboxed has to offer here.

7. Carphone Warehouse

If you buy a phone from Carphone Warehouse, you are guaranteed good quality.

At Carphone Warehouse, every phone on sale has been previously returned by someone simply because they changed their mind after purchasing the phone. 

That makes the only difference between the refurbished phone and a brand new one only being that the box has already been opened!

Additionally, every refurbished phone comes with a 12-month warranty and is classified as ‘Grade A’. 

8. Verizon

Refurbished or Certified Pre-Owned devices sold at Verizon have passed Verizon’s Total Quality Insepection which guarantees that all phones come with:

• Functioning batteries with working battery charge indicators
• Functioning ports and card slots
• Working pixels on display and clear and bright image display
• Functioning wireless connectivity
• Working audio such as speakers, microphones, and Bluetooth audio.
• Working keyboard/keypad
• Updated software

All Verizon Certified Pre-Owned devices have a 90-day limited warranty which protects consumers from any defects in the manufacturing of the phone.

Additionally, all refurbished phones come under Total Mobile Protection insurance which provides further protection in terms of loss, theft, and damage.

9. Newegg

Newegg is one of the newer and upcoming stores to buy refurbished phones from.

Firstly, it offers a location-specific service and gives its customers access to the best deals from within their location.

Newegg is one of the largest IT digital online retailers in the US guarantees reliable shopping across many electronic products and devices.

All products include a factory warranty for at least a minimum of 90 days to one year.

10. Gazelle

Gazelle is a well-known recommerce company that sells high-quality refurbished phones at an affordable and discounted price.

They have a wide range of refurbished phones which include devices from Apple, Google, and Samsung.

In addition to refurbished phones, Gazelle also sells refurbished tablets. 

All pre-woned devices at Gazelle go through the certification process, rigorous inspection, and light refurbishment.

Buying refurbished phones directly from manufacturers

You can also buy refurbished phones directly from the manufacturers themselves.

Phone manufacturers who now provide this service include Apple and Samsung. 

1. Apple Certified Refurbished

Apple’s Certified Refurbished Phones service allows you to buy like-new products that are supported by a one-year warranty.

You have the option to pay over 24 months at 0% APR with monthly installments.

You can save up to 15% by buying a refurbished phone directly from apple.

Here, you are guaranteed that all the replacement parts of the phone are all from Apple ensuring that your device is of good quality.

Additionally, all refurbished devices come with all accessories, a new battery, and a new outer shell.

2. Samsung Certified Pre-Owned Phones

All Samsung Certified Pre-Owned Phones have been completely remade by Samsung engineers.

Each device goes through nearly 400 quality assurance tests to make sure all requirements and standards are met to ensure that the product is ready for customer use. 

Additionally, when you buy a refurbished phone directly from Samsung you get all the accessories, free next-day delivery, free returns, a 28-day trial, and a year-long warranty as well!

Final words

Here is what you should keep in mind when buying a refurbished phone:

• Always do your research to ensure that you are buying from a trusted seller.
• Make sure to always read the small print when buying refurbished phones online to understand exactly what the item is.
• Make sure to compare prices across various platforms and websites to ensure you get a good deal.
• Make sure to read up on reviews and make your decisions based on personal recommendations when buying electronics online to avoid any scams.

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