Refurbished phones in July 2022

There are two good reasons to buy a refurbished phone over a new one. First, it’s better for the environment. Creating new phones means increasing carbon emissions (among other things), and while many companies are aiming for carbon neutrality, they haven’t achieved it yet.

Secondly, and probably the reason why you are reading this article, is that refurbished phones are significantly cheaper than new ones.

Why buy a refurbished phone?

In addition to costing less than a new one, a refurbished phone poses less of a risk than buying a used one from ebay, Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace, or even from a friend.

This is because refurbished phones almost always come with a warranty, so you have the option to seek help if something goes wrong after you’ve bought it.

Secondly, the companies that sell refurbished phones (usually) make sure everything works as it should so you don’t end up in disrepair.

It is important to note that “refurbished” does not always mean that the parts have been replaced or repaired. Instead, most sellers simply clean and sort used phones into different categories such as “Pure” and “Very Good.” You may also see “Class A” and “Class B”, but it’s important that you read what each of these means to know what you’re getting.

However, there are companies that do real repairs. One of the obvious ones is Apple, and you won’t be able to tell an iPhone from a Refurbished Apple Store from a brand new one. But because of this, refurbished iPhones are not much cheaper than new ones. The other one is Samsung. Samsung Certified Used Car Store states that its refurbished phones are “completely rebuilt from the ground up by the same engineers who create [its] new devices,

Another phone repair company in the UK is Aznu. It currently only offers iPhone and Samsung phones, but provides a 12-month warranty and a 12-month Norton 360 Deluxe subscription. You can buy phones on the Aznu website, but they are also sold through Argos.

Where do refurbished phones come from in the first place? They usually come from owners who are upgrading to a new phone and have traded in or sold their old perfectly working phone. But it could also be brand new phones that have been returned to the seller and they could be fine. In some cases, you can even find brand new devices with damaged boxes or missing accessories at bargain prices.

When buying a refurbished phone, be sure to check if the phone is tied to a specific network. Most of them are not, but you should choose one that is unlocked as you will be able to insert any SIM card into it and use it on any mobile network.

Where to Find Refurbished Phone Deals – Without a SIM Card

Here are the best places we have found to buy a refurbished phone. Some retailers are currently running special promotions for the anniversary weekend:

Where to buy refurbished phones under contract

You can also pick up refurbished phones at major chain stores, including:

Listed below are some of the best deals and sales we are currently seeing on refurbished phones, on contract and without a SIM.

Best Phone Repair Deals

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (128GB Refurbished)

one

From: Amazon

Was: £1,099

Currently:
£667
(rebate £432)

The iPhone 13 Pro Max replaced it last fall, but this massive discount on a refurbished 12 Pro Max is pretty enticing. You can also get a 256GB model for £799.

Apple iPhone 12 (64 GB) – refurbished

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From: Refurbished Apple Store

Was: £679

Currently:
£489
(discounted £190)

Apple’s refurbished iPhone 12 costs £190 less than when it was new.

Apple iPhone 12 mini (64 GB) – refurbished

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From: GiffGaff

Was: £579

Currently:
From £399
(discounted £180)

This price saves £180 over the iPhone 12 mini’s original MSRP.

Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (128GB) – Amazon update

four

From: Amazon

Was: £679

Currently:
£386.99
(off £220)

The price of last year’s Galaxy S21 dropped significantly when the S22 range arrived, and you can save even more by buying refurbished devices on Amazon.

The cheapest option was Phantom Violet when we checked.

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus 5G (128GB) – Refurbished

5

From: Amazon updated

Was: £999

Currently:
£299.58
(discounted £699.42)

Grab the 2019 S20 Plus 5G for nearly £700 less than the original starting price.

Apple iPhone 11 (64 GB)

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Location: Back Market

Was: £729

Currently:
£256.31
(discounted £472.69)

Back Market is one of the newest entrants in the revamped retail market. The company offers a 30-day money-back policy if you change your mind, as well as a 12-month warranty.

Its price for a refurbished iPhone 11 in ‘fair’ condition is a solid deal if you don’t mind minor signs of wear, although the slightly more expensive ‘excellent’ option also offers big savings, around £305.

Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max (64 GB, Unlocked) – Refurbished

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From: MusicMagpie

Was: £839

Currently:
£414
(additional 10% discount with SAVE10)

The iPhone 11 Pro Max is no longer available from Apple, but costs £1,049 at release, meaning this deal will save you over £600 on an unlocked, refurbished phone in ‘good’ condition.

MusicMagpie also offers free shipping and a free 12 month warranty.

Amazon updated

Amazon Renewed is Amazon’s marketplace for refurbished phones. Devices there are meticulously “checked, tested, and cleaned by qualified Amazon vendors” and come with a one-year warranty.

The benefits of buying from third party sellers (versus buying refurbished from the manufacturer) include a wider range and more competitive prices, but watch out for quality!

What does refurbished class A mean?

If you’re buying from a third-party seller, you’ll often see A, B, and C grades in stock – this indicates the condition of the device. Other resellers like MusicMagpie are more direct with labels like Intact, Excellent as well as Good. But you can also see A1, A2, A3 grades representing excellent, good and average.

Grades are not controlled by any regulatory body, so the standard of what qualifies as Grade A or Pristine will vary from retailer to retailer. In a nutshell, however, here’s what these scores mean:

• Excellent rating / Pristine – Looks like new and shows virtually no signs of wear
• Grade B / Excellent – Expect minor scratches or signs of wear
• class C / Good – Looks used and has obvious marks and scratches

Whatever system the seller uses, be sure to check how they determine their ratings. Higher class means higher prices. Most resellers that offer refurbished phones also offer a one-year warranty on their devices.

Refurbished, used or used – what’s the difference?

There is a difference between buying refurbished and just buying used. Although refurbished units are technically used, they are repaired and refurbished to work like new. However, buying a used phone means you get the device as is, which means the lifespan may not be as long.

Refurbished phones often carry a one-year warranty, no matter where you buy them. In fact, we strongly recommend that you read the warranty policy before purchasing. Make sure it’s there!

Read our guide to refurbished and used where we’ll go over which is best and why.

If you still prefer to buy new but are on a budget, check out our roundup of the best budget phones.