A refurbished phone is a used handset that a seller has tested, cleaned and repaired, then sold with a warranty. Done well, it gives you last year’s flagship for far less than a new one. Done badly, you end up with a worn battery or a phone that cannot be used. This guide covers what the grades mean, which checks matter, and what the law gives you.
Refurbished phones are growing in popularity. Market research firm NIQ says they now make up nearly one in ten smartphone sales in the UK, while new phone sales have fallen. Higher memory costs have pushed up new phone prices, which is one reason more people are looking at used models.
What the grades mean
There is no single national grading standard. Each seller sets its own, and the grades mostly describe appearance, not how well the phone works.
| Grade (names vary) | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Premium, Excellent or Like New | Little or no sign of use, with at most light micro scratches |
| Great, Good or Very Good | Clear but light marks on the body or screen |
| Fair | Visible scratches or scuffs. Heavier wear, though the phone should still work fully. |
A phone in any grade should work in full. The grade tells you how it looks, so a Fair phone with marks that were described in the listing is not a fault. Compare the grading notes of two sellers before you compare prices.
Battery health matters more than looks
A worn battery is the most common reason people regret a refurbished purchase. Sellers set their own minimum, with figures from 75% to 85% of original capacity common. A phone with a higher battery figure and a scuffed body usually beats a pristine one with a tired battery.
Ask for the figure in writing, and check it when the phone arrives. On an iPhone, look under Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health. Some warranties do not cover the battery, or cover it for a shorter time, so use your returns window if the reading is below what was promised.
Where to buy
| Source | Typical warranty | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer scheme, such as Apple Certified Refurbished | One year limited warranty on Apple’s scheme | Trusted, but a narrow choice of models |
| Specialist refurbisher | Usually 12 months, and some offer 18 or 24 | Clear grades and battery minimums. Read the exclusions. |
| High street or network retailer | Varies | Easier to return in person |
| Online marketplace | Set by the seller | Check whether the platform stands behind the seller |
| Private sale | None | Weakest protection |
Twelve months is the usual minimum from a reputable seller. Treat anything shorter, or “no returns”, as a warning.
Checks before you pay
- IMEI. Dial *#06# to show the phone’s IMEI. A blocked IMEI means the phone was reported lost or stolen and will not register on a UK network. A paid check service can look this up, and trusted refurbishers should have done it already.
- Account locks. An iPhone with Activation Lock on, or an Android phone with Factory Reset Protection, will demand the old owner’s login. Make sure the seller has removed the previous account.
- Network lock. Providers can no longer sell locked handsets, but an older phone may still be locked. Ask for it unlocked, so it takes any SIM.
- Software support. Count the update years from the model’s launch date, not from today. A phone launched with seven years of updates in 2023 has until 2030, but a model launched with three has far less left. Our guide to recent flagships worth finding second hand lists the support periods that matter.
- Returns. Check the window and who pays for postage.
Your rights
Buying from a business, you are covered by the Consumer Rights Act, just as for a new phone. Goods must be of satisfactory quality, fit for purpose and as described, though quality is judged against the age and condition of a used item. The usual timings apply: a right to reject a faulty phone within 30 days, and a repair or replacement if it fails within six months. The seller’s warranty comes on top of that, and does not replace it.
A private seller has far fewer duties, usually limited to describing the phone honestly. If you pay by credit card on a purchase between £100 and £30,000, the card provider can also be liable. Our guide on protection when you pay by card explains how.
After it arrives
- Check the IMEI on the box matches the phone.
- Test the screen, cameras, speakers, charging and Wi-Fi.
- Read the battery health figure against what you were promised.
- Put in your SIM, and test calls and data on your network.
- Do all of this within the returns window.
Choose SIM only plans that need no new handset to go with it, and look at cover for a phone you bought used if the handset is worth protecting. If you are replacing your own phone, see what to do with your old phone when you upgrade.
When refurbished is not the right choice
If you want the lowest cost and a long update life, a new cheaper phone can be better. See a cheaper new phone instead of a used one. Once you know the model, you can filter by condition and compare deals.
FAQs
Is refurbished the same as second hand?
Not quite. A refurbished phone has been tested and repaired by a seller, and normally has a warranty. A phone bought from a private seller is simply used, with no testing or warranty.
Does the warranty cover the battery?
Often not, or only for a shorter period. Read the exclusions and use the returns window to check the battery.
Will refurbished prices rise?
They may. Analysts say the shortage of memory chips could last until 2028, and a shortage of used phones to refurbish is already pushing refurbished prices up gradually.