Refurbished Phone – Buying a mobile device, what is it for you? Usually, to purchase a cellular device, a consumer goes to an offline store or orders new gadgets online. This is a familiar and understandable case, don’t you agree?
For some, buying a used phone is a more acceptable option. The used phone is a gadget that another person has been using for a while and then sold.
However, there is another way to buy a smartphone, which many do not come across often. So, we are speaking of purchasing a refurbished gadget.
Apple has popularized this by offering refurbished iPhones, iPods, iPads, and Macs. Today, buying refurbished phones is becoming more and more popular. Why is that?
Read the article and find out the details!
Short statistics
According to the latest information from CounterPoint Research, the global market for refurbished smartphones currently stands at about $20 billion. It is predicted to double by 2025.
In Europe and the USA, refurbished devices are in high demand among buyers. The average sales of such devices are up to 150 million units annually! This is about 10% of the market for all smartphones.
Refurbished smartphones are popular in the States. One in five mobiles sold to Americans in 2018 are gadgets that have been restored.
What is a refurbished smartphone?
Well, a refurbished mobile is a gadget that was returned to the manufacturer by its former owner and prepared for further use.
Is a refurbished phone used? It can be a smartphone returned under the trade-in program or a device that has worked for only a few hours or days and the owner did not like it. It may also be a broken gadget.
If we are talking about an officially restored smartphone, then it is mandatory to clean it and perform total testing. If there are any scuffs, the phone case is replaced. Sometimes, the user may discover a new battery or display in the restored gadget. In short, by purchasing such a device, you can get a product that is no different from the new one.
The grading system for refurbished devices
What Is Refurbishing? All refurbished gadgets receive a certain assessment that characterizes and describes their condition. There are no clear standards here. Each store can rate the device on its scale.
However, it is still possible to determine the most common denominators for evaluating a restored device. Here they are:
- Perfect condition, as a new device. Such smartphones are returned to the store before the 30-day deadline.
- Almost perfect, but with a scratch or scuff. Perhaps the battery lasts for half an hour less than the new device.
- A few minor drawbacks. You can see that such a phone was used.
- There is some kind of breakdown, or the device looks worn out by at least 50%. For example, a selfie camera or some other detail does not work. Such a phone is not recommended for purchase.
Things to Consider Before Buying a Refurbished Device
The main problem with any restored smartphone is that you will never know why it was returned. However, such gadgets can become the best solution in many cases. You must understand why buy refurbished devices and get things to consider.
Therefore, when buying such a product, follow these recommendations:
- Choose refurbished gadgets from a manufacturer or a major retailer. Such companies carefully test and repair devices.
- Consider the warranty period. Some manufacturers offer a full warranty on refurbished phones, while many third-party companies do not.
- Read the “fine print”. In some cases, smartphones are not fully restored and retain several disadvantages, which are indicated in the accompanying documents.
- Find out what year the device was manufactured. The older the smartphone model, the more worn out its components are.
- Don’t be fooled by the low price and buy only certified and protected phones. Remember that no reliable company will work to its detriment. Therefore, if the cost of a refurbished smartphone seems too low, most likely it is not as good as you think.
Is It Worth Buying a Refurbished Item
If the device is officially restored and sold in a large retail chain, you can count on stable operation and accessories of the same quality as new devices.
If you purchase a refurbished smartphone, you lose an additional year of warranty, and the percentage of defects is slightly higher. However, there may be problems with the new gadget as well. If you buy a refurbished model, before doing this, carefully check the display for spots and test the quality of communication, Wi-Fi, camera, and other modules.
