Complete Guide to Buying a Refurbished Phone in 2022

With the next-generation Apple phones retailing at over £1,000, it’s evident that high-end smartphones have gotten more expensive than ever.

Because of this steep increase in price, people are increasingly looking for alternatives to cutting costs and saving money on their devices.

One alternative is buying refurbished smartphones. Often, these phones are available for a discount of 30-50% off retail prices, which makes them attractive to those looking to save some cash while still getting a great phone.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to buy a refurbished smartphone. Furthermore, we will provide you with tips on how to get your hands on one of these devices without breaking the bank.

But first, let’s look at what exactly a refurbished phone is. 

What is a Refurbished Smartphone?

• A Refurbished smartphone is a pre-owned device that the manufacturer or sellers have restored to its original functionality and then resold at a discounted price.
• The refurbished phone undergoes a thorough inspection, cleaning, and repair to ensure the highest quality possible before being sold to the customer.
• The process usually involves removing the old parts from the phone and replacing them with new ones. This ensures that the phone functions like new when you buy it.
• The outcome is a device that looks brand new and functions perfectly. All refurbished phones come with a 1-year warranty when you purchase with The Big Phone Store.

Benefits of Buying a Refurbished Phone 

There are many benefits associated with buying a refurbished smartphone. Some of these include:

Helps the Environment:

• A new smartphone emits 85%-95% of its CO2 emissions in its first two years. That means if you buy a used smartphone, you could cut your carbon footprint in half!
• The production of new smartphones also contributes to the usage of precious metals and produces a significant amount of e-waste.
• Buying used phones is an eco-friendly choice. You can reduce e-waste, CO2 emissions, save energy, and help the environment simultaneously.

Spend Less Money:

• One of the best things about buying a refurbished smartphone is that you can save up to 50% on the cost of purchasing a new model.
• They can make it much easier to afford a higher-quality phone instead of spending hundreds of dollars on a new model.

Certified Quality:

• When you buy a second hand phone from The Big Phone Store, you know that it has undergone a rigorous testing process that guarantees its quality.
• These phones are tested both inside and outside the box, ensuring they meet the standards set forth by the company.
• The result is that you are guaranteed a certified product that meets industry standards.

Access to Premium Phones:

• Refurbished phones give access to premium models that would otherwise be out of reach because of their high price tag.
• It enables people to have a chance at owning a device that provides superior performance for their money. 

Unlocked Phone:

• Refurbished phones are usually unlocked so that you can use them with any network provider. This eliminates the inconvenience of re-purchasing your SIM card every time you travel abroad.
• You can switch networks any time you want, and no need to activate international roaming.

Warranty Protection:

• Another benefit of buying a refurbished phone is receiving a full year of warranty protection.
• If anything happens to your device during that period, you have nothing to worry about because the warranty covers any technical defects from the time of purchasing the device.

Great Starter Gift!

• If you’re looking to buy a phone for your kids, second hand phones are the perfect gift. They provide significant value for the money and ensure that they get the most out of their devices.
• It’s a great way to introduce them to the world of technology. A refurbished phone can also make an excellent gift for the elderly.

How to Buy a Refurbished Phone?

Buying refurbished phones is a great way to save money, but it’s important to make sure you’re making a smart decision when you buy a used phone. 

Here are some things to consider before you buy.

Research The Refurbished Market

There are many refurbished retailers available online. It’s important to look for those who specialize in selling refurbished devices. Ensure that the retailer offers better prices, has a wide choice of models, guarantees quality, and has excellent customer service.

For your convenience, we have made a comprehensive analysis where you can compare how different retailers rank against The Big Phone Store.

• The Big Phone Store vs. Music Magpie
• The Big Phone Store vs. Mazuma
• The Big Phone Store vs. Handtec
• The Big Phone Store vs. 4gadgets
• The Big Phone Store vs. Quick Mobile Fix
• The Big Phone Store vs. GiffGaff

Look At Customer Feedback

It’s always a good idea to view reviews from previous customers before making any purchases. That way, you’ll know how reliable the seller is and if the products sold are genuine.

Trustpilot is a great resource for reading feedback from real users. 

However, it would help if you also took note of the average rating given to retailers by consumers. If that rating is high, then the chances are that they provide top-notch products.

Know The Retailer Grade System

Each retailer has a specific grading system that determines the cosmetic quality of a phone.

Refurbished grades are used to understand the condition of the device. Each grade is assigned according to the cosmetic state of the unit. 

At The Big Phone Store, the devices are graded in four states; however, some retailers may grade their units differently than others.

• Pristine condition is the highest possible grade and reflects that the product is fully tested and in an excellent state. The item shows no sign of usage.
• Very Good indicates only light signs of usage, but it is in perfect working order. It might show minor scratches or scuffs and other small wear.
• Good has moderate signs of usage. It has minor wear and tears. They are fully tested and perform as above grades.
• Fair has significant signs of usage. However, this does not affect functionality. There might be cracks or dents on the screen and body of the device. They are fully tested and perform as above grades.

Check For Return Policies

It’s important to know that a retailer has a return policy within which you can return or get a refund if you don’t like it. This will help you avoid getting stuck with a product that doesn’t meet your expectations.

You can get a 14-day money-back guarantee when purchasing with The Big Phone Store. Read more about our returns here.

Find Warranty Details

When buying a refurbished smartphone, ensure that the seller provides a warranty for every product. This helps you protect yourself in case anything goes wrong.

Warranties vary between sellers. Some offer warranties while others do not. If a seller does not provide a warranty, you need to check out the manufacturer’s warranty terms.

The Big Phone Store offers a FREE 12 Month Warranty. You get covered for up to one year from the date of purchase. Learn more about our warranty policies here. 

How To Save Money on Refurbished Phones?

Buying refurbished phones is a great way to save money. However, in the case of a tight budget, you might be looking for other ways to make the most of your money.

If you’re in a hurry and need to buy a phone quickly and at the lowest price, here are some tips to follow:

Choose a Lower Grade: 

• The grading system for refurbished phones depends on external conditions such as the dents or scrapes present on the device.
• The lower-grade phone performs just as well as the higher-grade phone. Their functionality and performance are almost identical.
• However, they have less value because of their appearance. Therefore, choose a lower-grade phone if you want to save money.

Trade-ins:

• Another option is to trade in your old phone. This means that you can sell your old phone and use the funds for purchasing a new phone.
• You can get better deals when trading in your old phone. You can even sell if your phone is broken or damaged.

Watch for Deals:

• If you are not in a rush, you can wait for the next holiday sale to see if the price for a refurbished phone drops.
• You can get refurbished phones at a discounted rate during holidays. These sales are usually available for a limited period. So, keep checking back regularly.

Save Money With The Big Phone Store

• Our second hand phones are available at affordable prices. From smartphones to tablets, we offer high-quality products from all major brands.
• If you do not have the cash to pay upfront, we offer interest-free financing through Klarna. This allows you to spread the cost over a longer time.
• All refurbished mobile phones come with free shipping as well as next-day delivery, making it easy to get your phone promptly.

How Long Do Refurbished Phones Last?

Every phone listed on The Big Phone Store has been subjected to 70+ quality checks. We also conduct regular inspections to ensure the highest standards of quality.

We only list phones that meet our strict criteria. All of our refurbished phones are tested thoroughly and inspected for any damage.

You can expect the device’s full functionality with the pre-owned models. This means you will receive the same level of performance as when the device was new.

Buying a refurbished phone can be beneficial in many aspects. It provides you with the reassurance of quality performance at a lower price. It’s worth considering if you’re budget-constrained or just not happy with what you’re currently using.

We hope this article was helpful! If you want to read more, check out our how-to guides.

Shop our website to find out the new models of refurbished phones! If you are looking to save money and have an old device, you can sell your phone to us.