Smartphones are becoming more sophisticated and their prices are rising, and the newest phones are clocking up prices well over £1000.
It doesn’t matter if you to pay it off in one go, or spread the cost over a number of moths – it’s still a significant chunk of cash.
You can also buy a second-hand or refurbished phone here at NIX. So let’s look at the the difference between “used” and “refurbished?”
What does it mean to have a “refurbished” phone?
Let’s first define what “refurbished” means. A refurbished phone means one that has been returned by its original owner and then tested and repaired to a good as new standard.
Refurbished phones can be returned for faulty or unusable reasons. However, the owners of some phones will always have their phones fully repaired and ready to go when they are sold again.
All refurbished phones work just like new. However, physical condition of refurbished phones can vary. We use a grading system to classify all phones. These range from phones that are near new to phones that have some signs of wear, such as scratches or marks, to phones that work well but might show minor signs of use.
Refurbished phones come with a charging cable or charger, as well as a 1-year warranty. However, they will not come in the original packaging but that’s no biggie.
What is the difference between a new and used phone?
There is a commonality between used and refurbished phones. They are both second-hand in the sense that someone else previously owned them. Therefore, they cannot be sold as new.
The key difference is that a refurbished smartphone has been thoroughly tested and repaired. This means that it will work as intended.
You can be sure that your phone will work flawlessly, regardless of whether it was purchased through NIX or directly from the manufacturer.
However, a used phone doesn’t offer the same guarantee and there are no guarantees about its history.
You might be a little more uncertain about used phones than you are about new ones. If you do decide to purchase one, make sure you do your research to make sure you understand what you are buying.
A used phone may not have a warranty and you might not get any accessories, such as a charger.
You can expect different levels of assurance depending on where you are buying your used phone. Sites like Amazon and eBay are regulated so that you can be assured of a phone being as good as it is. However, if you buy from someone you have met on social media, it’s down to their word versus your.
Refurbished or used – which is best?
Although the terms may be very similar, there are certain benefits to opting for a refurbished device over one that is simply labelled “used”.
A refurbished phone gives you more security and peace-of-mind because it has been fully tested, cleaned and had the previous owner’s data wiped. It will also be in perfect working order when it arrives.
The term “used” is much more difficult to define so you will be less certain of the condition of your phone.
Although a used phone might be in a like-new condition it may also be damaged or not functional. This means that you are taking a greater risk than with a refurbished model.
You might be tempted, if you get a better deal on a new phone, to buy a used one. But, be mindful of the potential risks.
Remember, for the best price possible, recycle your old phone with NIX and sign-up to our Premium Membership at NIX.
