Whether you consider buying a refurbished phone, but still haven’t decided on it yet, or you want to learn what this is and how it works – in this article, we will find out if buying a renewed smartphone is the best solution for you.
What is a refurbished phone?
A refurbished smartphone is one that has been used, sold, renewed, and then once again put on for a sale. During the process of reconditioning, the reseller makes sure that the phone is fully operating. This means verifying all the buttons, camera quality, battery life, and overall functionality of the device. The difference between a usual second hand-phone, and a refurbished one is that the latter is being sold by a network or retailer who had repaired and restored the phone to its best condition. Usually, such vendors are experts in phone repair, so they will ensure that the cell phone is working at its best capacity. They will also provide you with a warranty to verify that you are getting a fully-working device.
Is buying a used phone safe?
Contrary to popular belief, buying refurbished smartphones is safer than it may sound, especially if you are getting them from a trusted vendor. Such places offer you up to a year of a warranty period, so in case of an unexpected issue with the device, you can get a refund.
If the phone is graded A (which means the highest rank in regards to condition; we will cover the grades below), it could be very preserved, and almost no different from a new phone. In such a case, you may save hundreds of dollars, just because you are buying a device that has been slightly used. This might be the case if the previous owner simply wanted to upgrade his phone. So he sold it to a network of refurbishment, to save on expenses for the newest model. Another benefit that draws people into buying a refurbished phone is its sustainability. Knowing that the production of more and more smartphones includes using finite natural resources, it’s eco-friendly to get a used one. Research shows us that around ⅓ of the produced phones are becoming waste. This means that in supporting the refurbished structure, you also support our planet.
What about the battery?
You may also wonder about the battery life of a previously used phone. It’s normal that with time, the battery power and durability of a device decrease. The resellers of refurbished phones always test them to make sure they are working properly. In some cases, we even replace it. Most of the time, we will make sure to restore the original battery to its full capacity. You can always see the battery’s health condition in the settings of the phone:
If the Maximum Capacity percentage is below 80-70%, this probably means that your battery needs to be changed. Unless you don’t use your phone that often or have no issue charging it at any time. Nonetheless, we recommend that you check out the battery health of the refurbished phone that you are planning to buy.
The conditions of refurbished phones
When it comes to determining the condition of a refurbished smartphone, there is a grading system. Most people rate these devices from A to D – from least to most used:
– Grade A means the smartphone is almost like a new one. You might find such devices a few weeks before the release of the newest iPhone.
– Grade B indicates that the phone might have a few barely visible signs of usage, like a scratch or something similar.
– Grade C hints that the device looks like it has been used and has a few signs of
damage, but it should still work properly.
– Grade D means the phone is visibly worn-off or broken, and it needs repair. Most resellers don’t sell grade D phones, but you might see such devices being sold by people on eBay or another widespread marketplace.
Price comparison
Getting a deal for a cheaper smartphone might make a huge difference in your budget. You can save up to 300$ when buying a refurbished phone. This makes it possible to get the newest model for less money, if for example the person is not happy with the latest release, and decides to sell it. And the older the model, the more cash you can save when buying it second-hand.
However, it’s good to keep in mind that smartphones that are too old might no longer support their newest OS version and other features or apps. For example – you can’t run the latest iOS on an iPhone 8, because the two are not compatible. The device is probably not strong enough to handle it.
What to do with your old phone?
There are a couple of ways to make use of your old phone. You can give it to a relative or a family member; You can donate it to an organization that will share it with a person in need; Or if you’d like to earn money, you can sell it for refurbishment.
DV Wireless buys old phones and broken phones.
Where to sell or repair your phone in Port St Lucie?
Whether you are looking for the “smartphone repair near me” options or just want to sell your old phone, we can help. With over 10 years of experience in the field, we are trusted with providing quality phone screen repair in Port St Lucie.
Even if you have a water-damaged phone, we have the expertise to bring life back into your device. We value your time and know how important your smartphone is to you, so 99% of the time we can provide a same-day repair. Connect with us, and let’s discuss the solution that you need.
