10
Jan
Apple’s iPhones are undoubtedly the number one smartphone choice on the market, and it’s no wonder at all. Not only are these phones exceptionally durable, but they also offer a bunch of unique features that you aren’t getting with some other brands. However, as much as iPhones offer a plethora of features and functionalities, you know that they’re also very pricey. On top of that, Apple releases new lines of iPhones regularly, which rounds down their life-cycle with people constantly upgrading to the newest models. But luckily, you can always have the newest iPhone model without paying an entire fortune for it. Wondering how? As simple as it sounds, refurbished iPhones are always a good idea. Let’s find out something more about these devices.
One of the most common mistakes people tend to do is confusing refurbished phones for used ones. The truth is that these two types are significantly different, as refurbished phones are closer to new, rather than used devices. As you probably know and as their name implies, used phones were previously used and most likely exposed to everyday wear and tear. But this doesn’t mean that used phones aren’t sold on the market, as a simple factory reset will do the job perfectly fine.
On the other hand, refurbished phones are much more than used phones. These devices have also been previously used, with the difference that they go through various processes of testing and repairing before they end up on the shelves again. For instance, if a particular service received a used iPhone 11 with a broken display, they’re going to replace the screen and run a diagnostic checkup to verify that the software is working excellently. Once this is done, the refurbished iPhone 11 will find its way on the market for a lower price than the original one.
In fact, to help buyers understand the quality of their refurbished iPhones, a lot of retailers use grading systems by which the specific device is rated. And as much as these grading systems can vary from one seller to another, they typically fall into a couple of general categories:
The price of the specific device will vary depending on its rating- the more damaged it is, the less money you’ll pay.
Wondering what makes buying second-hand iPhones a good idea? Well, there’re a bunch of reasons for it.
First of all, one of the greatest reasons that people buy refurbished phones is that they’re a cheap investment that spares you money. As these devices have been previously used and can’t be labelled as new, they’re always sold at discounted prices. Hence, getting a refurbished iPhone can be a great alternative if your phone was stolen, lost or you suddenly dropped and damaged it.
But whether you decide to get the recent iPhone 13 or an iPhone 11 refurbished device, know that you aren’t only saving money, but you’re also contributing to the environment’s well being. Refurbished phones are kind of recycled products that instead of ending up in landfills they continue serving another customer.
On top of that, retail stores selling refurbished phones also offer warranties so you can choose to get your refurbished phone repaired or exchanged if it starts malfunctioning.
Visiting a second-hand smartphone store and picking up a refurbished iPhone isn’t as easy as it sounds. In fact, there’re a couple of factors you need to consider so you can get the most out of the refurbished device you choose. Let’s see what kinds of factors are we talking about.
First things first, have in mind that the market is overflowed with different iPhone models you can choose from- from the most recent iPhone 13 mini to the iPhone 11 refurbished devices for sale, and even older models that aren’t up-to-date.
However, this doesn’t mean that you should always opt for the most recent model just because it costs less than unused ones. In fact, it’s always recommended to do a thorough reality check on your needs and choose something that fits your lifestyle and doesn’t exceed your budget. Spending all your savings on a smartphone has never been a good idea, even when it’s about refurbished ones.
Regardless of what specific model you decided to go for, know that buying from the first seller that pops up on your social media feed is the worst thing you can do. Instead, there are a lot of licensed services that will spend their time thoroughly inspecting, checking and repairing the device before they put it on sale again.
Hence, to prevent yourself from wasting your money on a device with functional defects and physical damages, you can always do a little research and check specific retailers. For instance, you can check out the terms by which they offer their refurbished devices as well as look for any certifications they acquired. On the other hand, reviews on social media have always been a great indicator of a retailer’s quality, so make sure you see what other customers think before you entrust any specific store.
As we already mentioned, retailers typically offer warranties along with their refurbished devices. Hence, a warranty makes for one of the most important considerations, as it’ll give you protection if the iPhone suddenly starts developing any faults. However, not all the retailers offer warranties, as some of them may give accessories and gadgets such as headphones or phone cases instead.
And as much as many people will decide to get a device that goes with a warranty instead of a cheap pair of headphones, it’s best to consider the price you’re paying for the specific iPhone. If you decided to get one of the most recent models, then you might want to look for a proper warranty that will get you covered if anything goes wrong. But on the other hand, if you’re about to get a cheaper model to replace your malfunctioning phone temporarily, the warranty mustn’t be among the top considerations once you start exploring the market.
An IMEI is the unique number of the specific device that identifies it among all the phones in the world. If a phone gets stolen or lost, people typically report their IMEI numbers to their carriers so the phone can get locked.
Hence, it’s best to check the IMEI number and see if you’re paying for a stolen phone that won’t let your SIM card work. You can do so by contacting your service provider or by using apps on the internet.
Except for the IMEI number, you might also want to check that there isn’t an iCloud account on the specific iPhone, as it’s a real hassle to get it removed without a password. Keep in mind that a lot of stolen iPhones are sold for a lower price, but with an existing iCloud account. So, it’s best to turn on the iPhone and make sure that it’s ICloud free before you purchase it, regardless of where you decided to buy it.
Finally, keep in mind that picking the right timing can change the entire experience with your refurbished phone. Hence, it’s best to wait for the season when Apple starts releasing new iPhone generations and models, as this is the time when a lot of iPhone users will start trading with their current devices to get the newest ones. And as Apple tends to release new models after Apple events held in the fall, September to December is great timing to search for a refurbished iPhone, as this is the period when the market experiences a great influx of refurbished devices.
Now that you know the most important aspects, you can start searching for the perfect refurbished iPhone for yourself.
