Smartphones

Why a refurbished phone makes sense

A two or three-year-old smartphone from a higher tier does what a new mid-range one does — often with a better camera and a better screen, because it was built as a flagship of its time.

And there is the obvious point worth stating: a phone that gets reused does not become waste. It is one of the few purchases where saving money and the environmental benefit coincide.

The three things to ask

1. The battery. The critical point with any used phone. A two-year-old battery has lost some of its capacity — ask us about the condition of the specific unit, and if runtime is critical to you, budget for a battery replacement.

2. Software updates. Every manufacturer supports a model for a set number of years. An older phone may no longer receive security updates. Ask us about the specific model — it matters if you bank from your phone.

3. Network and locks. Ask us whether the phone is network unlocked and free of any account lock from a previous owner. It is fundamental and we check it.

Condition, warranty and returns

On some products you will see a condition grade, such as Grade A, as supplied to us. On others there is none — and that does not mean worse condition, it simply means that particular unit came without a grading. If appearance matters to you, ask us about the specific unit before ordering.

For the warranty on a specific unit, see the product specifications or ask us — and beyond it, your statutory consumer rights regarding defects apply.

And because you are buying at a distance, a 14-day right of withdrawal applies, under the terms applicable to distance sales.

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