Should You Buy a Refurbished Phone?

Not everyone defines “refurbished” the same way, which makes it important to buy a pre-owned phone from a company you trust. 

“You can’t judge the health of a phone by its outward appearance,” explains Lauren Benton, the general manager of Back Market’s U.S. office. 

Certified refurbishing programs often use robotics to put pre-owned phones through dozens of diagnostics tests. They confirm that everything from the phone’s speakers and screen to its buttons and charging port are fully functional. In some cases, the device comes with a fresh battery, too. 

Check for information on the inspection and restoration process before making a purchase—specifically testing, battery replacement, the standard accessories, and parts supplied by the manufacturer. If they don’t state the policy outright, you should ask. 

The refurbished iPhones sold directly by Apple—online and in its stores—are restored with the same replacement parts used in new models, the company says, as opposed to aftermarket parts. They come with a new battery, a new outer shell, new cables and accessories, and even a fresh box, similar to what you’d get with a new phone. Refurbished iPhones are backed by a one-year warranty, too. However, Apple’s stock of refurbished phones appears prone to dipping; not every model is available in every region on Apple’s website.  

Samsung uses similar standards for the refurbished phones it sells, promising restoration to “like new” condition, with a new battery and a one-year warranty. 

The standards from third-party sellers will vary. Amazon’s Renewed program, for example, sells pre-owned phones that come professionally inspected and tested, either by Amazon’s techs or the techs of a third-party seller. They include accessories that are equivalent to those you’d get with a new device, Amazon says, which means they’re compatible with the device, but not necessarily the very same cords or plugs supplied by the manufacturer. 

In some cases, refurbished phones are sold in tiers—such as “like new” or “very good”—with the highest tier having less visible wear and tear or a higher battery threshold relative to its original capacity. 

(You can check an iPhone’s battery threshold by going to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings → Battery & Device Care.)