Buying refurbished iPhones and Oneplus is a great way to get the latest iPhone and Oneplus model at a fraction of the cost. What’s more, if you want to upgrade your iPhone or another smartphone in a few years, you can easily do so thanks to all the money you’ve saved. So, are refurbished phones worth the savings? We detail everything you need to know about buying refurbished smartphones below so that you’re able to get the smartphone you want.
What is a refurbished phone?
A refurbished phone is a phone that was sold as new but then returned to the store or manufacturer. While there may have been nothing wrong with the phone, the manufacturer will have tested, and if necessary, repaired the device to ensure it meets a certain standard before selling it at a fraction of the cost.
Misconceptions about refurbished phones
One of the main concerns with refurbished phones is that they are returned to a store or the manufacturer because of being defective. Another misconception is that the refurbished phone is used and then sold as-is. In reality, there are many reasons why people would return their previously purchased phone.
Sometimes a phone may have had a hardware problem like a cracked screen and then returned. In other instances, the customer simply doesn’t want the phone and decides to return it to the store within the 30-day cooling period.
In either case, the manufacturer or store would have taken the phone back and have it inspected and tested for any faults. Any issues with the phone would have been repaired or resolved at this stage. The data on the phone would have also been securely wiped according to the Data Protection Act. Since laws state that a phone can’t be classified as new the moment it is taken out of the box, the phone has to be labeled as “refurbished” to be resold.
Benefits of buying a refurbished phone
While cost is the primary reason many consumers buy refurbished phones, there are many other advantages to owning a refurbished phone beyond price concerns. Here are three benefits that may convince you to buy a refurbished phone the next time you’re looking to upgrade.
1. Lessen your environmental impact
Globally, it is estimated that more than 5 billion people own a smartphone. These smartphones are typically in use for 20 months before being discarded for a new one. In the U.S. alone, over 150 million smartphones end up in a landfill.Buying refurbished electronic goods such as smartphones reduces the amount of electronic waste ending up in landfills.
2. Better quality assurance
Buying a refurbished phone from a reputable store or manufacturer means purchasing a phone with a lower defect rate. This is because manufacturers and certified dealers impose stringent testing processes to ensure any and all errors are identified and resolved in returned units before being putting these back on sale.
3. Warranty protection
If you buy your refurbished phone from a certified reseller or manufacturer, you’ll end up getting additional warranty coverage. This additional coverage can give you peace of mind and ensure that if any issues arise with your phone, it can be repaired at no extra cost. Manufacturers typically offer refurbished phones with a one-year warranty, the same as new phone units.
