What is a refurbished phone and should you buy one?
Before you spend potentially thousands on a brand new phone, we've put together a guide on refurbished mobiles. What are they, how much do they cost and where can you buy one today?
These days, buying a new phone is a struggle. With the current cost of living crisis, a brand new handset isn't always a viable option - but that doesn't mean you have to fall behind the times when it comes to technology. Instead, you can keep up and spend less by buying a refurbished phone.
Not sure what a refurbished phone is? That's OK – the first thing you need to know is that a refurbished phone is not the same as a hand-me-down. Rather, it's a fully-functioning, state-of-the-art handset that's gone through testing and, sometimes, repair.
To explain it in full, the tech team at RadioTimes.com have put together a comprehensive guide on refurbished phones, including what they are, how much they are and where you can get them. We'll also let you know if they're worth buying with a list of pros and cons.
Here's everything you need to know.
Looking for more tech news? Take a look at our guide to the Apple Vision Pro, as well as the best Google Pixel 8a deals. And don't forget to check out when does Amazon Prime Day start?
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Jump to:
- What is a refurbished phone?
- How good is a refurbished phone?
- Pros and cons to buying a refurbished phone
- Where to buy a refurbished phone in the UK
- Best refurbished phone deals
What is a refurbished phone?
A refurbished phone is essentially a second-hand phone that has been tested and restored to good working order.
This means that rather than selling a phone in its existing condition, the previous owner will have sent it back via a returns policy or sold it to a trade-in site.
The retailer will then put the phone through thorough testing and repaired any faults before selling it as refurbished or ‘pre-loved’.
Sellers often carry a wide range of refurbished phones, often up to the most recent model, offering them at prices considerably lower than their initial retail price.
Plus, all data from the previous owner will have been wiped from the device so you and your new phone can start afresh.
How good is a refurbished phone?
Most retailers have a very high standard for their collection of refurbished phones and will make sure they’re fully functioning before selling them.
The tests carried out usually involve checking that the buttons and camera are working and whether the battery charges. The seller will also check the quality of the audio, the touch screen and how well the phone connects to Wi-Fi and 4G/5G.
Moreover, just because a phone is sold as a refurb doesn’t mean it was faulty in the first place. Some phone owners may trade in their old phones for an upgrade, or simply change their mind during a 30-day returns period. In these cases, the refurbished phone is unused and, more or less, brand new.
The only real difference is that most handsets won’t be sold in new packaging and won’t contain the usual phone accessories. If you’re lucky, the retailer may send your phone with a charger and a SIM key, but the box is unlikely to have headphones or any extras.
Should you buy a refurbished phone in 2024?
There is a lot to consider when it comes to a refurbished phone, so we’ve collated a list of pros and cons to help you make your decision.
Pros:
- They’re cheaper – You can save hundreds of pounds by springing for a refurbished phone rather than one that’s brand new.
- They’re fully functioning – All refurbished phones go through several rounds of testing and any faults with the handset are repaired prior to selling.
- There is a warranty period – Most retailers will provide a warranty period in case you come across any problems with the phone.
- They last just as long – Most refurbished phones will last for upwards of three years, especially if they’re newer.
Cons:
- No accessories – Refurbished phones are often sent in a plain box with none of the accessories that accompany a fresh phone. You will probably still get a charger but don’t hold out hope for headphones.
- It’s unlikely you’ll get the newest model – More often than not, it’s unlikely that a retailer or a phone owner will sell a phone that has just come out. If that's what you're after, you might have to wait a few months.
- The warranty will be shorter – Most new phone warranties are between 12 and 24 months, but refurbished phones will usually have a shorter time period.
- There may still be scuff marks – Just because the phone has been repaired doesn’t mean it won’t look pre-owned.
Where should you buy a refurbished phone in the UK?
Not all manufacturers sell refurbished phones. However, mobile network providers Vodafone, O2 and giffgaff are among those who do. These sites offer the phones both for sale and for rent (much like a normal mobile phone contract) and will give you a warranty period while you get used to the new handset.
Speaking of Vodafone, the company have just launched their new Good Grade refurb range, allowing customers to save up to £216 when they buy pre-owned devices. Good Grade refurbished phones are all in excellent working order and have some small signs of use, like small marks or dents in the case and/or screen.
Vodafone's range of Good Grade offerings include brand-new devices such as the Samsung S23, iPhone 13 and iPhone 14. All are 32-point health checked, fully wiped and sanitised to ensure an optimal experience for the next user.
You can also find refurbished phones at more general retailers such as Currys, Argos and JD Williams. The selling site eBay in particular has an entire 'Certified Refurbished' section devoted to products that are in pristine condition and have met the standards of the original manufacturer. If you see a blue tick on the bottom of a product, don't worry - you've not stumbled onto Twitter. It means that the product has been refurbished.
Some of the best deals you can find are on technology trade-in sites like Back Market and musicMagpie, the latter of which employs a 70-step process to ensure their refurbished phones are up to scratch. MusicMagpie also offers out phones to rent for 12- or 24-month contracts and will give you the option of either a free annual upgrade or the chance to renew your contract for 10 per cent less.
Best refurbished phone deals for June 2024
To help you get an idea of how much-refurbished phones usually cost, we've collated a list of some of the most popular phones from recent years. Bear in mind that the cost of a second-hand phone depends on the quality of the refurb – if there are scratches or bumps it's going to be classed as 'Good' or 'Fair' and be cheaper than the ones that are considered 'Like New' or 'Pristine.'
Apple iPhone 12 64GB from £219
Apple's iPhone 12 started at prices of £699 in 2020 and received good reviews for its enhanced camera and extended battery life. After refurbishment, you can get it, in some cases, for half the price, although you may have to expect a few scratches.
Apple iPhone 12 | £249.99 (Good) at musicMagpie
Apple iPhone 12 | £219 (Good) at giffgaff
Apple iPhone 13 128GB from £299
Less than two years old, the iPhone 13 started off with an RRP of £779 and was the first device to include iOS 15. You might still have to pay a bit more for this phone, but compared to the price of a brand-new handset it's better to deal with a few scuff marks!
Apple iPhone 13 | £299 (Good) at giffgaff
Apple iPhone 13 | £21 per month (Good) at Vodafone
Apple iPhone 14 128GB from £499.99
When the iPhone 14 was first released in September 2022, it had an RRP of £849. Nowadays with the release of the iPhone 15, you can get this older model for a little less, but you can save even more by buying a pre-owned device.
Apple iPhone 14 | £499.99 (Good) at musicMagpie
Apple iPhone 14 | £560 (Pristine) at Vodafone
Samsung Galaxy S23 from £434.99
There's never a shortage of exciting new Samsung goods on the market. The S23 came out in, you gussed it, 2023 before being usurped by the S24. The good news is that you can now snag an S23 for a reduced price.
Samsung Galaxy S23 | £349 (Good) at giffgaff
Samsung Galaxy S23 | £434.99 (Pristine) at musicMagpie
Google Pixel 6 128GB from £194.99
Released in late 2021, the Google Pixel 6 was praised for its excellent cameras, superfast 5G speeds and intuitive interface. Originally priced at £599, you can get over £400 off by buying a refurbished version.
Google Pixel 6 | £194.99 (Good) from musicMagpie
Google Pixel 7 from £289.99
October 2022 saw the release of the Google Pixel 7, boasting a built-in VPN, high-quality cameras and a powerful Tensor G2 chip ideal for image processing.
Google Pixel 7 | £289.99 (Very good) from musicMagpie
For more information about mobile phones, check out our best mid-range phone guides and best smartphones for older people to buy.
