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Buying a Refurbished Phone in 2023

Buying a Refurbished Phone in 2023. The term ‘refurbished’ may conjure up images of broken, old gadgets.

But with the advancement in technology, buying a refurbished phone could give you a cutting-edge device at an incredibly affordable price.

In this comprehensive guide to buying a refurbished phone in 2023, you'll learn how to shop smartly by understanding:

  • Exactly what you're buying
  • Which grade is best suited for your needs
  • The great value they offer compared to new devices

Continue reading to discover tips on scoring the greatest bargains when purchasing a refurbished phone.

Already convinced? Look no further than ur.co.uk for the best deals on refurbished mobile phones. 12-month warranty. 12-month insurance. £45 worth of accessories included.

5 Important Considerations When Buying a Refurbished Mobile Phone

1. Understanding what you're buying

A woman holding a refurbished phone in her hands pouting her lips

‘Refurbished’ has turned into a buzzword in recent years, but what does a ‘refurbished phone’ actually mean?

The term ‘refurbished phone’ generally refers to a pre-owned phone that has been reconditioned and repaired ready for resale.

All ur refurbished phones are rigorously checked and tested to ensure they work in all the same ways as a new phone would.

These reconditioned handsets are then fully tested and approved for safe use, and if the phone can’t be repaired, it simply won’t be resold. Instead, its parts will be taken and used for spares elsewhere.

2. Deciding on the right phone

A smiling couple wearing sunglasses holding refurbished phones in their hands

Deciding on the right reconditioned phone for you really isn’t any different from deciding on the right new phone for you (minus cosmetic grading, which we’ll come to next).

In the same way you would if you were investing in a brand new model, consider what you personally want out of your phone.

Is it a reconditioned iPhone 13 Pro with a stunning camera ready to capture every moment of your next vacation, or is it a refurbished iPhone 8 – reliable, sturdy, and great value?

All sound too much? Don’t worry - you’ll find an easy-to-follow spec summary next to each refurbished phone listed on our site.

3. Choosing the condition of the phone

Like most things in life, there are different categories in the world of refurbished phones.

However, the grading of used phones only applies to the cosmetic hardware of the device and does not relate to any of the functionality or operational software of the phone. Rest assured that what’s inside is always top-notch. 

At ur we’ve kept it simple whilst also giving our customers options. Grading options start from Premium, where you won’t find a smudge in sight, never mind a scratch. Then we have Excellent and Good – each with varying signs of previous usage.

We also know that reasons for buying a refurbished phone differ for everyone, that’s why we created our Good grading.

These phones may have some light signs of use, but if you’re happy to stick a case on - to us, it’s still better than buying new.

You’ll find every reconditioned phone on our site has its grading clearly indicated so that you can buy in confidence and more about our grading in ur Guide to Grading.

4. Understanding the warranty

smiling woman holding a refurbished phone looking towards the camera

This step feels especially important when buying a refurbished phone, perhaps mostly so because there are so many rumours circulating around the topic of refurbished smartphones.

Every refurbished phone bought from trusted sources comes with a 12-month warranty as standard, the same way it would with any other new product.

If something happens that wasn’t your fault, we’ll ask you to send your phone back to us for assessment, once approved as being covered, we’ll either repair it or replace it. See, just like new.

5. Find a SIM-only contract

The most common way of financing the cost of the brand-new iPhone model is to take out a hefty phone contract from one of the many networks offering monthly rates.

These companies will factor in the cost of the handset, along with the usage tariff, all in order to calculate your monthly (eyewatering) rate.

The secret is these networks also offer SIM-only contracts.

Rarely priced at over £15 per month, these flexible contracts are your way of getting your refurbished phone online.

And make sure you shop around here, too, there are plenty of SIM-only deals to be had.

And for your peace of mind, all ur phones come unlocked as standard, so you won’t have any problem choosing the contract that’s right for you and your budget.

How Good Are Refurbished Phones?

Refurbished phones are a great way to get quality at an affordable price.

Whether you're looking for a premium, excellent, or good condition device, rest assured that all approved used phones from ur come with a minimum battery health of 80%, having undergone a rigorous 90-point check.

So if you're looking for quality without breaking the budget, a refurbished phone could be your perfect answer.

Buying Refurbished Phones in the UK: Why Choose ur?

Looking for a quality phone without the hefty price tag? Look no further than ur.

Our refurbished phones go through a rigorous 90-point check, covering everything from

As if that wasn't enough, you'll also get:

  • 12-month warranty and 12-month insurance
  • 30-day money back guarantee
  • £45 of accessories included

    Peace of mind is exactly what you'll get when you buy a refurbished phone from ur. So why wait? Get your perfect phone today!

    FAQs

    Are refurbished phones still covered by warranty?

    Yes, when you buy a refurbished phone from ur, it will be covered by our standard 12-month warranty and 12 months of insurance! So you can buy a refurbished handset with confidence knowing your device is in safe hands.

    How much cheaper are refurbished phones?

    Refurbished phones can offer you great savings compared to buying new. You get the same quality phone but for a much lower price.

    Plus, when you shop with us, you have extra peace of mind thanks to our 12-month warranty, £45 worth of accessories included, and a 90-point check.

    Choose from a wide range of different models and enjoy amazing savings!

    Are refurbished phones ever ‘used' or ‘second-hand'?

    Refurbished phones are different from used or second-hand phones. All refurbished devices sold by ur are rigorously quality checked using a thorough 90-point check to ensure they meet the strictest diagnostic criteria.

    If they don't pass this stringent process, we won't sell them—guaranteed!

    Is it safe to buy refurbished phones?

    Buying refurbished phones is absolutely safe, especially when you buy from a reliable seller like ur. Refurbished phones come with all the features of a new phone but at a fraction of the cost.

    When buying from ur, not only can you rest assured your device has gone through stringent tests and checks, you'll save money too. It's a win-win!

    What should I keep in mind when buying refurbished mobile phones?

    When buying a refurbished mobile phone, it's important to look for certified devices from reputable sellers.

    At ur, you can purchase with complete peace of mind as all our phones are Phonecheck certified, so you know you're getting a great device that has been rigorously tested and meets the highest standards.

    With hassle-free returns and a 12-month warranty included, ur is the perfect place to buy your next quality refurbished phone.

    Do refurbished phones have new batteries?

    No - refurbished handsets sold by ur do not come with new batteries unless its battery health is below 80%. 

    As part of our rigorous 90-point check, we ensure that the device you buy comes with at least 80% of its original capacity regardless of the grade you chose (Good, Excellent or Premium).

    So no need to worry about being constantly tied to a charger - battery life won't be an issue when purchasing from ur.

    Shop refurbished phones now.

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