Smartphones are getting bigger, faster, better – and more expensive. Anyone who can no longer afford a new cell phone that costs almost as much as a used small car is switching to completely overhauled branded devices. But what exactly does the label “refurbished” actually mean?
In the sense of the second-hand manner, more and more online retailers are following the trend of selling used smartphones. The devices are checked and cleaned in advance, reconditioned and sometimes also repaired if a part is defective. Afterwards, the refurbished cell phones are available at a bargain price, even though they are fully functional and optically (almost) look like new. But do consumers really benefit from the significantly lower prices or do they take a risk with the purchase? After all, shops like Amazon advertise that the devices can be replaced or reimbursed within a year should possible defects become noticeable. Other providers even guarantee a 24-month guarantee. The statutory return guarantee also applies. Quality control is still essential.
Refurbished offers: what to look out for
- Buying refurbished phones is all about saving money. To find out how big the savings are compared to new goods, compare the prices – here is an example: That with 64 GB costs around 490 euros new and just over 300 euros when refurbished. The difference is enormous.
- Once you have decided on and ordered a cell phone, you should examine it thoroughly on the day of delivery. Check the operating system (version) and warranty. If you discover the first visual defects that were not disclosed in advance, the device must be returned immediately.
- Refurbished cell phones are sometimes offered up to 70 percent cheaper. Be aware of this: the cheaper the price, the worse the condition. According to experts, used smartphones that are almost as good as new cannot be sold more than 20 percent cheaper. Otherwise the dealer would not earn anything from it.
- Original parts are not always used when replacing defective parts (including the display or the battery). It is all the more important that the provider makes as transparent as possible what details he exchanged on the cell phone. The less that is disclosed, the closer you have to look.
- One of the most well-known weaknesses of refurbished cell phones is the display: Pay attention to possible pixel errors, scratches or the brightness. But the home and power buttons should also be tested, and the same applies to the cable and USB connection. It is best to check the battery after 24 hours of operation.
- Before starting up, you should reset the cell phone to the factory settings. This is the only way you can be sure that there is no private content of the previous owner on the smartphone – this also applies to possible programs that could spy on your smartphone. In addition, the cell phone can no longer be located by its old owner.
One more tip at the end: You can save even more money by buying a smartphone from the previous year. All models that have just hit the market automatically cost more – even the refurbished cell phones. If you are looking for a previous model like this decide you pay a lot less. By way of comparison: the new cell phone costs around 600 euros, while it costs around 480 euros when used.
David William is a talented author who has made a name for himself in the world of writing. He is a professional author who writes on a wide range of topics, from general interest to opinion news. David is currently working as a writer at 24 hours worlds where he brings his unique perspective and in-depth research to his articles, making them both informative and engaging.
