Should You Buy a Refurbished Phone?
A pre-owned model can save you hundreds of dollars and work just as well—as long as you know what to look for
Buying refurbished can shave hundreds of dollars off the cost of your next phone.
This is even more true today, as flagship models can easily exceed $1,000 and rapidly evolving tariffs threaten to sharply raise the price of consumer electronics.
At the online retailer Back Market, for example, you can snag an iPhone 15 with 128 gigabytes of storage for about $500. You’d pay $200 more if you purchased the device new from Apple.
Check How the Phone Was Refurbished
Not everyone defines “refurbished” the same way, which makes it important to buy a pre-owned phone from a company you trust.
“You can’t judge the health of a phone by its outward appearance,” explains Lauren Benton, the general manager of Back Market’s U.S. office.
Certified refurbishing programs often use robotics to put pre-owned phones through dozens of diagnostics tests. They confirm that everything from the phone’s speakers and screen to its buttons and charging port are fully functional. In some cases, the device comes with a fresh battery, too.
Check for information on the inspection and restoration process before making a purchase—specifically testing, battery replacement, the standard accessories, and parts supplied by the manufacturer. If they don’t state the policy outright, you should ask.
The refurbished iPhones sold directly by Apple—online and in its stores—are restored with the same replacement parts used in new models, the company says, as opposed to aftermarket parts. They come with a new battery, a new outer shell, new cables and accessories, and even a fresh box, similar to what you’d get with a new phone. Refurbished iPhones are backed by a one-year warranty, too. However, Apple’s stock of refurbished phones appears prone to dipping; not every model is available in every region on Apple’s website.
Samsung uses similar standards for the refurbished phones it sells, promising restoration to “like new” condition, with a new battery and a one-year warranty.
The standards from third-party sellers will vary. Amazon’s Renewed program, for example, sells pre-owned phones that come professionally inspected and tested, either by Amazon’s techs or the techs of a third-party seller. They include accessories that are equivalent to those you’d get with a new device, Amazon says, which means they’re compatible with the device, but not necessarily the very same cords or plugs supplied by the manufacturer.
In some cases, refurbished phones are sold in tiers—such as “like new” or “very good”—with the highest tier having less visible wear and tear or a higher battery threshold relative to its original capacity.
(You can check an iPhone’s battery threshold by going to Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging. On a Samsung Galaxy phone, go to Settings → Battery & Device Care.)
Beware of Individual Sellers
Buying a phone from an individual on a marketplace like eBay, Craigslist, or Facebook Marketplace is far riskier—especially if the device is being sold at a price that seems too good to be true.
Defects can be difficult to spot in a photo or video and the purchase isn’t always protected by a warranty or a refund policy. (eBay does offer money-back guarantees, but the return process may force you to go without a phone for days.)
And, as mentioned, even if the phone appears to turn on and to be free of visible damage, like cracks on the screen, that doesn’t mean it’s fully functional. It could have malware, which poses a security and privacy threat, could be locked to a specific wireless carrier, because it’s not yet paid off, and could even be masquerading as a whole different model. Who wants a Samsung Galaxy S25 when you paid for the S25+?
Look for a Warranty
Avoid refurbished products that don’t offer a warranty. Apple, Back Market, Google, and Samsung guarantee their refurbished phones for a full year. At Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, the warranty lasts only 90 days.
It’s worth checking your credit card company’s policies, too. Many will extend coverage on refurbished goods as long as they come with a warranty.
Ask About the Return Policy
If there’s a technical problem with the phone, it may take time to show up. When you receive the device, be sure to test it thoroughly, including looking for cosmetic flaws.
We also recommend going with a retailer that gives you at least a month to return the item.
Amazon’s Renewed Guarantee offers up to 90 days to return the product for a refund or replacement. Apple and Best Buy give you only two weeks to change your mind. Just like with warranties, though, your credit card company might help you out here if a retailer refuses to accept your return.
Jamison Hermann, a video producer for Consumer Reports, has purchased various refurbished phones for his family over the years. In most cases, he has noticed only a few superficial scratches, but he did once receive a device with a malfunctioning screen. Thanks to a good return policy, he was able to quickly swap it out for a working phone at no extra cost.
“I definitely plan to continue buying refurbished,” he says. “It’s significantly cheaper—especially if you’re okay with a phone that’s a year or two older.”
