Which is better, Refurbished Phones or Second-Hand Phones?

We all want to buy the latest high-end phones available in the market. However, our budget does not always allow us to buy them. Even though EMIs are available, choosing them may not be the best decision as you will still be spending a significant amount. And, there are additional charges when you choose EMIs. Luckily, there are smart ways to get your hands on a great phone without breaking the bank. You can either buy a refurbished phone or a second-hand phone. In both cases, you will get huge discounts on the phone. 

Both refurbished and second-hand phones are used phones, but they are not the same. These categories are completely different from each other. Keep reading to find out what they are and which one you should choose.

What are Refurbished Phones?

What are Second-Hand Phones?

Difference Between Refurbished Phones and Second-Hand Phones

Should You Choose Refurbished Phones or Second-Hand Phones?

What to Consider When Buying a Refurbished Phone?

• Warranty and Return Policy
• Grade
• Battery Health
• Seller Reputation
• Price Comparison
• Included Accessories
• Software Updates
• Customer Support

Buy Refurbished Phones Online at Mobilegoo

FAQs

• Is a refurbished phone better than a used phone?
• Is it worth buying refurbished phones?
• What are the disadvantages of refurbished phones?
• What is the lifespan of refurbished phones?

What are Refurbished Phones?

 

Many people will still fumble if you ask them what refurbished phones mean. This is because it is still not very common in India. Refurbished phones are basically pre-owned devices that have been returned by the user. There could be multiple reasons why the device was returned. Once returned, the device is thoroughly inspected by professional refurbishers. They perform various quality checks, repair or replace all defective parts, and restore the device to good working condition. Phones that appear new and work fine are categorised as Grade A phones. In case there are minor scratches and visible dents, they are categorised as Grade B phones. Finally, there are Grade C phones that have prominent signs of damage and may not perform like new phones. The price of the device depends on the condition of the refurbished phone. If you are buying a refurbished phone for self-use, it is better to choose a Grade A phone.

• Comes with a warranty.
• Minor cosmetic imperfections.
• Updated with the latest software.
• Environmentally friendly choice.

What are Second-Hand Phones?

We do not have to explain second-hand phones in detail. These are pre-owned devices sold by previous owners. Since you buy them directly from the owner, additional inspections are not performed to check the quality. The buyer has to use the phone to check the performance before buying. However, if you are buying a second-hand phone from a trusted seller, you do not have to worry about the condition. Trusted sellers always inspect the phone and ensure its performance is not significantly compromised. In most cases, you will find deep discounts on these phones. They are widely available on platforms like OLX, Mobilegoo, etc. If you are planning to buy one, here are a few basic things you must know before buying second-hand phones online. 

• Sold by owners and certified sellers
• Prices vary widely depending on the condition.
• No additional warranty is available if purchased directly from owners. Certified sellers offer a seller warranty.

Difference Between Refurbished Phones and Second-Hand Phones

Should You Choose Refurbished Phones or Second-Hand Phones?

Now that you are fully informed about both options, it will be easier for you to make the decision. Carefully assess your requirements and then choose an option. In case you know the previous owner personally, you can buy a second-hand phone from that person. Otherwise, it is always better to buy second-hand phones from trusted sellers. However, a refurbished phone is always considered a better option when compared to a second-hand phone. There are more benefits of buying refurbished phones online. Not only are the phones thoroughly tested but also come with a 1-year warranty. Second-hand phones do not have such a long warranty period. Therefore, choosing a refurbished phone is always a safer option if you want a long-lasting phone. 

What to Consider When Buying a Refurbished Phone?

Warranty and Return Policy

All trusted sellers offer a warranty on refurbished mobiles. This warranty period is mostly 6 months to 1 year. During this period, if any issue arises, the seller will repair your phone without any additional charges. Also, many sellers have a returnable or replacement policy. In the initial few days, the device can be returned or replaced if necessary. Always read the return or replacement policy before making the purchase.

Grade

As mentioned earlier, all refurbished products come with a grade. Grades A, B, and C indicate how much wear and tear the phone has. If you are looking for deep discounts and do not mind minor scratches, a Grade B phone will be better. Otherwise, we recommend choosing Grade A phones for personal use. They appear new and will not hang during use. 

Battery Health

Once you receive a refurbished phone, the first thing you must check is the battery life. Old phones often have poor battery health. However, most refurbishers completely replace the battery to ensure the refurbished phone lasts as long as a new phone. When you charge the phone for the first time, let it charge fully and then pay attention to how long it lasts. In case it discharges too quickly, you can opt for a return or replacement.

Seller Reputation

There are plenty of sellers available in the market. When buying your refurbished mobile online, make sure you only buy from a trusted seller. Reputed sellers like Mobilegoo provide up to 1-year warranty. This means the seller stands by the quality of the product. Additionally, always check the reviews posted by previous sellers. It will help you to get a clearer understanding of the quality of the refurbished phones. 

Price Comparison

Before you make the purchase, we suggest checking multiple websites. Just search refurbished ‘model name’, and you will get plenty of options. Check the prices offered by each seller to compare them. This will help you to get a better deal. However, we do not recommend choosing the seller solely based on the price. Always ensure that the seller is reputed before making the purchase. At Mobilegoo, you will find many cheap refurbished phones.

Included Accessories

You must check the accessories provided before making the purchase. In most cases, sellers do not provide any additional accessories with the refurbished phone online. Even if the seller provides accessories, they may be third-party replacements. You will have to check the product description for details. In some cases, sellers may provide the original accessories with the refurbished phones. However, you will rarely find such sellers.

Software Updates

Refurbished phones also include old phones that cannot support the latest software. Using outdated tech can impact system performance and compromise security. Therefore, it is always wise to buy refurbished phones that can be updated. This is not a problem for most customers as they buy the latest refurbished devices. However, if you are buying an old phone, always confirm that the phone can be updated. 

Customer Support

Even if you buy from a reputed seller, your product may turn out to be defective. To return or replace it, you will have to connect with customer support. If the seller offers poor customer service, you may experience a lot of difficulty in finding a resolution. One of the easiest ways to find out if a seller has good customer support is by checking the social media pages. When customers are unsatisfied with the quality of service, they often post about it on social media. You can check the comments left by other customers.

Buy Refurbished Phones Online at Mobilegoo

Mobilegoo is one of the biggest online refurbished phone sellers in India. We have the largest inventory that includes the latest refurbished iPhones, Samsung phones, and many other brands. These phones are carefully refurbished and come with a 1-year warranty. Also, we offer deep discounts. If you are looking for cheap refurbished phones, check out our refurbished phones under 15000. They are in perfectly good condition and run smoothly. In case you no longer require the old phone, you can sell your phone online to us as well.

You can also check out our unboxed phones. Unlike refurbished phones, these are not exactly used phones. Unboxed phones are the ones that were returned by the owner just after a few days of use. Therefore, these are just new phones in unsealed boxes. As a result, sellers cannot sell them as new phones and have to provide huge discounts. Order today and get your refurbished phone or unboxed phone delivered in 3-5 business days.

FAQs

Is a refurbished phone better than a used phone?

In most cases, yes! A refurbished phone is better than a used phone because it has been professionally inspected, repaired, and tested. Therefore, there is no chance of any defects in these devices. You may notice scratches or dents though. The best part is that you get a longer warranty period. Even though second-hand phones from trusted sellers come with a warranty, it is generally 3 months. Also, they are not well tested like refurbished mobiles. This is why you only buy second-hand phones from a renowned seller or if you know the owner personally.

Is it worth buying refurbished phones?

We have already established the fact that there are plenty of advantages to buying a refurbished phone. You are basically buying a high-end device at a much lower price. So, Yes! Buying a refurbished phone is worth it. Just make sure that the seller is trustworthy. If technicians do not follow standard protocols during the refurbishment process, you may experience issues in the future. 

What are the disadvantages of refurbished phones?

We have discussed the advantages of refurbished mobiles throughout the blog. Now, let us explore the disadvantages:

• Minor Cosmetic Imperfections: Grade A and Grade B refurbished phones may have small scratches or dents. Even if they are visible, they will not affect the functionality.
• Limited Availability: Some models may not be available in the market.
• Battery Life: Batteries are tested and often replaced. However, the battery life might not be as long-lasting as that of a brand-new phone.
• Warranty Limitations: Refurbished phones come with a warranty. The maximum warranty period is 1 year. New phones come with a longer warranty period.
• Potential for Previous Issues: Even though refurbished phones are repaired and tested, there is a small chance that some issues might resurface.

What is the lifespan of refurbished phones?

If you are buying a Grade A refurbished phone, it will last as long as a new phone. The latest Grade A phones will support software updates and function smoothly. Also, all worn-out and damaged parts are repaired in a refurbished mobile. This means they do not have any defects. If you can maintain it properly, you can expect it to last 3 years or even longer.