You may have bought a smartphone before, but never heard of refurbished smartphones? They combine many of the best qualities of used and new smartphones and are often the best choice for those who appreciate high quality at a lower price. Here you will find answers to some frequently asked questions about refurbished smartphones and information on how to best choose the device you want.
What exactly is a refurbished smartphone?
A refurbished iPhone is not just used. Rather, it is completely overhauled and is then as good as new. So it is not 100% new, but it is pretty close to being new. The smartphone is restored to the condition it was in when it was brand new.
The repair process returns the iPhone to its factory condition, so even though it has been used by someone else, it will be in the same condition it was in when it left the factory. The phone should then be functionally equivalent to a brand new one in every way. As long as you get your refurbished iPhone from a trusted source that also offers warranties, a refurbished phone will give you virtually all the benefits of a new one – for significantly less money. It should be just as fast, just as reliable in terms of data and connections, and offer the same storage capacity, responsiveness, operating system and features as a brand new device straight out of the box.
Why should you consider buying a refurbished iPhone?
A refurbished smartphone offers a few unique advantages. Firstly, you are helping to create a more climate- and environmentally-friendly world. There is no reason to encourage companies to produce more and more when there are so many perfectly usable smartphones.
By buying a new smartphone instead of a used one, you encourage companies to use fewer resources. According to some statistics, 151 million smartphones are thrown away in America every year. Many of these are Apple smartphones.
If more refurbished smartphones were purchased, fewer raw materials would have to be mined and less electronic waste would be generated. That would be a good thing for everyone.
You’ll also save money. A refurbished smartphone is simply cheaper than a new one. So you’re contributing to a more sustainable, environmentally friendly world, paying less and still getting a smartphone that essentially works like a new one. In terms of how the iPhone works, you shouldn’t even really notice a difference.
Is it safe to buy a refurbished smartphone?
As long as you buy a refurbished iPhone from a trustworthy provider, you can’t really go wrong. There are several ways to check whether a company is a safe choice. First, check whether the testing and refurbishment process takes place entirely in-house. If a company outsources these processes, this can affect the quality. Only if all processes are in the hands of the company can it control the quality.
Buying a refurbished smartphone from a private seller or reseller is much riskier. For example, you may not receive a guarantee from a reseller that the smartphone will work as advertised.
However, if a company refurbishes the devices in-house and offers a guarantee and a right of return, you can buy a refurbished iPhone without worry. After all, you can always return the smartphone thanks to the guarantee.
What do you need to check when buying a refurbished iPhone?
If you want to buy a refurbished smartphone, you should definitely pay attention to a few things to be on the safe side. For example, find out whether the company offers a guarantee on the smartphones it sells. The guarantee should be at least as comprehensive as Apple’s. An even better guarantee is of course an advantage.
Also check whether the company you are buying from offers a return policy. Ideally, you will receive a return envelope with every smartphone you buy, in which you can send the device back if there is a problem. A return policy of 7 days is good, a return policy of 14 days is better.
Also pay attention to how long you have to wait for your smartphone. This is especially important if you are buying it as a gift or need a timely delivery for another reason. Ideally, the delivery time should not be more than a few days. A short delivery time of 1 to 3 days is a good thing.
Reviews on websites like Trustpilot are also useful. Naturally, you have to be able to trust the company you are buying a refurbished smartphone from. Using a website like Trustpilot with thousands of reviews from other buyers, you can easily find out whether the company you have chosen is sufficiently trustworthy. It is best to stick to companies with over 90% positive reviews.
You should also check whether a company that sells refurbished smartphones also has a physical location with a physical address. There should be a phone number you can call, and the company should offer trustworthy payment methods such as credit cards, direct debit, and installment payments. It should be possible to reach the company via email, chat, or phone, and inquiries should be answered within a day or two. These points can also help you check whether the company is legitimate.
