If you’re looking to save money on your next phone, you’ll probably come across the terms refurbished, used, and second-hand. They’re often lumped together, but they mean different things. And if you care about quality, reliability, and value—refurbished phones are your best bet.
What is a Refurbished Phone?
A refurbished phone is a pre-owned device that’s been inspected, tested and restored before being sold.
- Usually sourced from trade-ins, returns, or unwanted gifts
- Professionally cleaned and repaired if needed- roughly less than 5% of the phones we get need repairing!
- All key parts (battery, screen, buttons, camera) are tested and thoroughly sanitised!
- Comes with a 12-month warranty (extendable to 24 months at The Big Phone Store)
Refurbished phones can cost up to 60% less than new phones. You get the same model, same features, but without the high price tag.
What is a Used Phone?
A used phone is sold exactly as the previous owner left it.
- Sold as-is with no repairs or checks
- May have damage, battery issues, or hidden faults
- Often sold privately or by sellers who don’t test devices
- No warranty or guarantee
Used phones might be cheaper, but they’re a gamble. You don’t know what condition they’re in or how long they’ll last.
We’ve heard the horror stories of people who have bought used phones online and not heard anything back from the seller, or even worse, cases where the phones faultiness has caused harm or injury in the form of leaking/ exploded batteries, data risks and overheating.
Don’t put yourself at risk! always buy from a reputable refurbisher.
What Does Second-Hand Mean?
“Second-hand” is a general term for any phone that’s had a previous owner.
- Can refer to both used and refurbished phones
- Doesn’t tell you anything about the phone’s condition
- You’ll need to dig deeper to know what you’re getting
Why Refurbished is the Smart Choice
Refurbished phones are the middle ground between new and used—offering:
- Better value than buying new
- More reliability than buying used
- Less waste than throwing away old tech
At The Big Phone Store, every refurbished phone is fully tested and guaranteed. You’re getting a device that works like new, with protection if anything goes wrong.
Summary Table
| Refurbished | Used | Second-Hand | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-owned | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Inspected | ✅ Fully tested | ❌ Not tested | ❓ Varies |
| Repaired | ✅ Faults fixed | ❌ Sold as-is | ❓ Varies |
| Warranty | ✅ 12-month (extendable) | ❌ None | ❓ Not guaranteed |
| Risk level | Low | High | Medium to high |
Refurbished phones offer the best mix of quality, cost, and security. You know what you’re getting. You’re covered if anything goes wrong. And you’re helping reduce electronic waste.
If you want a phone that’s affordable and reliable, choose refurbished.
Shop reliably, safely and cheaply with The Big Phone Store
