When you are in the market for a new phone, tablet, or computer, you usually have the choice between 3 options: buy brand new, buy used, or buy refurbished. Used and refurbished devices are both great options to buy tech products at a significant discount compared to buying brand new, but while the difference between brand new and the other two options is clear, the differences between used and refurbished can be less obvious and sometimes confusing.
Used Phones
Used phones are second hand devices that have already been used by another person. They will have varying degrees of wear and tear depending on how long it has been used and whether the phone had a screen protector and a case or not. Scratches and dents are the most common cosmetic marks on used phones, and the battery is the component most affected by usage. Used phones will generally still have all original components from the manufacturer and are sold "as is". When buying a used phone, it is important to check all the functionalities including the cameras (main and selfie), flash, vibrator, speakers (loudspeaker and earpiece), wifi and bluetooth, in addition to carrier lock and iCloud / Google lock before committing to the purchase.
Refurbished Phones
Refurbished phones are used phones that have gone through a renovation process. Refurbished phones go through a thorough control process where all the functionalities are tested and damaged / malfunctioning parts are replaced with new ones. This results in a fully functioning device that is free from defects. Refurbished phones will usually have a mix of original and aftermarket components. Reputable shops will only use genuine and high quality aftermarket replacements parts to offer devices in top condition.
Warranty
Whether you decide to buy used or refurbished, it is important to choose a store that offers a warranty of at least 90 days. This will ensure that you are covered in case the phone has any hidden defects that will require you to spend additional money to get fixed.
At Phone Fact, all our used and refurbished phones come with 1 year of warranty. We are able to offer this warranty because all our devices go through extensive quality testing and all necessary repairs are performed using only genuine or high quality aftermarket parts.