Around the globe, 1.4 billion smartphones were sold in the preceding year, which is a phenomenal increase of 1 billion units from 2010 to 2020. Such massive usage has led to the increasing acceptance of refurbished phones. They are pre-owned handsets returned by owners, repaired and tested by manufacturers, and then sold to new customers. This article enlists five factors that will make your decision to buy a refurbished product easier.
Cost
As the pandemic has hit the economy hard, it has squeezed the pockets of many. Refurbished smartphones offer significant cost savings for strained wallets, sometimes over 50%. For newer models, the discount may not be so steep. Manufacturer refurbished phones have their undeniable merits, but they remain quite expensive. If you are struggling with the budget, you may opt for a third-party refurbished phone, only in case the seller ensures a good warranty and return policy.
Environmental Impact
The term E-waste refers to discarded electronics, including laptops, TVs, mobile phones, and other such devices. This is the world’s fastest-growing solid-waste stream, and a reason of concern as its ecological impacts is overwhelming. Thus e-waste requires recycling in a safe and standardized way. Processes of repairing and refurbishing contribute to lesser production of phones, hence reducing e-waste and its environmental effects. You can contribute towards a better world by opting for them.
Technical Usage
Refurbishing does not mean older technology. Some phones are returned during the 30 days cooling-off period because of minor technical faults or customer’s change of mind. Few others are sent back on the grounds of opened or damaged boxes. After fixing errors and re-testing, manufacturers sell these virtually new phones again, with a refurb tag under the Grade-A category. Such handsets may provide you with the latest technology and a 15% lower price tag than a new one.
Warranty
You can enjoy maximum peace of mind if you buy directly from manufacturers like Apple and Samsung. They guarantee the same quality, warranty, and tech support as their box-packed items. Most of the established sellers including eBay, Amazon, Smart Cellular, The Big Phone Store, Music Magpie, and Mobile Phones Direct also provide a one-year warranty and return policy as new sets. But some products by other sellers are covered with only a short warranty period of 15 to 90 days. People might not want to rely on it because what was reconditioned or fixed is unknown.
Experiencing the ‘New’
Apple and Samsung equip their refurbished handsets with new batteries, outer shells, and accessories to give them that fresh-from-the-factory feeling. But in third-party refurbs, you may find some scratches and dents on the products. This might not give you a feel of having a new phone. Also, you aren’t likely to get genuine accessories with the product. This lowers the overall user experience considerably.
All in all, buying a refurbished phone is a smart choice, as long as you buy it from a trusted seller within their warranty. You can enjoy all the latest technologies at a much lower price while playing your part in conserving the environment.