Smartphones can be considered as one of the best technological inventions
today. Who would have thought that there will come a time when we will no
longer rely on a payphone to call our loved ones when we are out and about?
The beauty of this gadget is that it is not only for communicating, but it is also
functional in various ways. And as with any technological advancements,
newer and better mobile phones are being developed every year.
However, not everyone is able to get the latest model because of their hefty
price tag. Although this may be frustrating to some, there is an alternative
solution to this and that is getting a refurbished phone instead.
What is a Refurbished Phone?
Any refurbished gadgets are items that were sent back to the manufacturer
or retailer because an issue was detected in them. They are then repaired
first before they are sold again. However, it is important to take note that
refurbished doesn’t automatically indicate that there was something wrong
with the item. Some of these gadgets are simply returned by their owners
because they didn’t like it, or they wanted an upgrade. These phones are
typically sent back to the seller or manufacturer before a month is done.
All smartphones that have been returned undergo a thorough checking and
testing before they are put up for sale. This way, consumers are guaranteed
that the devices are in the best condition before being sold again. Among the
tests required to be performed cover the buttons, the display, the cameras,
and battery too just to name a few. Also, any existing content will be removed
prior to selling to protect the privacy of the previous owner.
What are the Benefits of a Refurbished Phone?
It is understandable that you are a little hesitant to invest in mobile devices
that have undergone refurbishing. But purchasing from reputable sellers like
Qwikfone can mean being guaranteed by the company that all products have
been checked and vetted for selling. As a matter of fact, refurbished phones
do have several benefits linked to them. Here are some that are worth
mentioning:
● Better savings. A mobile phone that has been through the
refurbishing process is usually cheaper because it is no longer
considered as brand-new. Even the latest models, when they have
been returned, will be sold a few hundred pounds cheaper compared
to the newer ones which can provide you with a significant amount of
savings.
● Warranty. If you purchase from a reputable retailer, the warranty will
be the same as that of a brand-new device. This is much better
compared to those who are selling refurbished smartphones with just
a few months warranty in place.
● A few accessories included. Although it is not possible for you to get
the entire set of accessories when buying a refurbished smartphone, it
will usually come with a way to charge the device.
● Good for Mother Nature. Another benefit that is often associated with
refurbished mobile phones is that they are safe for the environment.
This is because they aren’t simply disposed of but rather repaired and
restored to be used by someone else. They won’t be adding to the
already filled landfills today.
● Open network. Most refurbished smartphones are sold as unlocked
devices. Basically the device will be compatible with whatever network
you are using. You won’t even have to worry about being locked to a
specific network. This means that your newly bought phone can be
used with your current carrier.
● Works smoothly like brand-new. What other benefits will you enjoy
with this type of smartphone? Some refurbished smartphones work as
if they are brand-new, especially those that have been returned just a
few months after its release or being used. Even when compared to
the new ones, it will be difficult to tell which one is refurbished because
those who will refurbish the returned item will make it happen.
These are just a few examples why it’s worth considering getting a
refurbished mobile phone compared to buying a brand-new one.
Differences Between New and Refurbished Phone
Understanding how new and refurbished smartphones differ is crucial to
making the right decision when it comes to buying this gadget. Here’s what
you need to know about the two.
When purchasing new smartphones, you will receive a phone that is sealed
in its original box. When unboxed, aside from the mobile phone, it will come
with its complete set of accessories, from charger to charging cable, to
earphones and other essentials. You will get a warranty for the device for a
full year which means that it can be repaired within the given time without
paying anything. Based on the brand, its model, and features included, you
will pay a high price for new mobile phones. Although they can be sold at
discounted prices, they are still expensive. The best part is that since it is
brand-new, the battery life is at 100 percent, the cameras are free from
scratches, and there are no damages to the body.
Refurbished smartphones, on the other hand, are those that were given back
to the seller possibly because of an issue or a defect, or the previous owner
wants to change his or her device for a better model. These gadgets undergo
strict testing to ensure that all parts are working properly. Afterwards, any
existing content will be erased before it is put up for sale. Another thing worth
noting when purchasing refurbished phones is that they will come in an
unmarked box with only a charger or perhaps it’s charging cable included.
You will spend extra to get the right accessories for it.
Should I Buy a Refurbished iPhone?
There are plenty of people out there wondering whether it is worth it to buy
refurbished Apple iPhone these days. The answer here is yes, provided that
you know where you can get professionally refurbished iPhones. Apple’s
iPhone is one of the most sought-after brands of mobile phones today
because of its rich user interface, better quality cameras, and secured
operating system. Its streamlined design is elegant to look at too. But when
it comes to pricing, this is where things get tricky. Their latest models typically
come with a steep price which may not work with everyone’s budget. This is
why checking out refurbished versions of iPhones is worth a shot.
One of the best reasons why investing on a refurbished iPhone is worth it is
because it is usually cheaper compared to newer ones since they are slightly
used. Compared to buying an iPhone that is new, you can invest on a
refurbished hands-on device at least half the price depending on its
condition. If you are not into the latest models and would do with previous
editions, you can be an iPhone user without spending too much on one.
Another reason why buying a refurbished version of iPhone is worth
considering is because those who will be refurbishing it are often skilled in
this process. That is if you will get a refurbished one from a reputable retailer.
Those who are tasked to refurbish an iPhone will test all its parts and its
software to determine if everything is in order. If there are any parts that are
broken or are defective, they will be replaced. Any existing data will be wiped
prior to re-selling.
Why buy refurbished iPhone in UK? If owning an iPhone is your goal but
don’t want to spend a lot, you will still be able to purchase one that will work
smoothly and efficiently like the brand new from a reputable site. Of course,
it pays to do your homework too because you don’t want to spend for a
device that is not giving you any value at all. Among the factors that you need
to take into consideration are the buttons, battery life, camera, charging port,
as well as the user interface. Talking to the seller to inquire more about the
product will give you better insight on the item that you are interested in.
Where Can I Buy a Refurbished iPhone?
For those who want to purchase a refurbished iPhone, there are several
places that you can look into. Although Apple does have a shop for iPhones
which were sent back, they might not be available most of the time. This is
because the tech giant may use the returned models as replacements for
those whose devices malfunctioned and such. If this is the case, where else
can you buy refurbished iPhones?
You can start by shopping in brick-and-mortar shops for mobile phones
because they may also sell this type of device. Refurbished phones should
not be considered as used because they are not sold as is, meaning that
they undergo strict testing and restoration to make them work as if they were
new. Since you are able to hold the device, you can go over it thoroughly to
see if there are scratches, dents, or damage on the hardware before testing
the user interface.
Aside from that, another place where you can purchase a refurbished iPhone
is online. The good news is that you will be spoiled for choices when it comes
to online sellers but it is important to keep in mind that not all of them are
reliable. Do some background checking on them to know if they are
legitimate or not.
Third-party sellers like eBay and Amazon are also good places to find
gadgets that have been refurbished at cheap prices. However, make sure
that you read the fine print especially when it comes to the description of the
device. You don’t want to end up with the wrong choice because you did not
do a thorough read.
Where else can you get your hands on refurbished handsets like the iPhone?
Do not overlook your carrier as they may have been selling refurbished Apple
products at a decent price. Talk to your provider if they have any because
there is a guarantee that they will sell you a professionally refurbished model.
Do Refurbished Phones Come with a Warranty?
Consumers often buy brand-new phones not only because they will be the
first ones to use it, but because of the warranty as well. Most brand-new
smartphones come with a 12 months warranty which means that, if your
device breaks down during this period, it is possible for you to return the
device within the given time frame and won’t pay for any repairs at all.
But what about mobile devices that were refurbished? Do they have some
sort of warranty for a consumer’s protection? This depends mostly where the
item will be bought from. Purchasing from a legitimate seller means that the
warranty of 12-months will remain. Most of the time the warranty just runs for
three to six months, which is not bad at all. Unfortunately, there are some
sellers that will draw out the refund process which is why it is best that you
stick with reputable companies instead.
Conclusion
Refurbished phones often receive a bad rep because many assumed that
they are considered as used. Unfortunately, this is not true. The two are not
the same since the former means being fixed and then restored to factory
settings by a professional prior to being sold. Used mobile phones, on the
other hand, are these devices that are practically sold just the way they are.
This means that there is no restoration being done and that what you see is
what you get. Although it is possible to see a used device being sold at half
its original price, unless the owner took care of their phone properly, you
might be better off investing on a new one.
If budget is the main problem, instead of pushing through with getting a new
smartphone, investing on a refurbished one may be the best course to take.
This is because most of them have been restored and repaired like brand-
new although they won’t come with all their accessories. This shouldn’t be
much trouble since these items can be bought online. Just make sure that if
you will buy a refurbished phone, choose a legitimate retailer to get the
guarantee that the phone you will be purchasing is in good condition.