How to Safely Buy a Refurbished Phone

Buying a refurbished or pre-owned phone is a sensible way to get a quality smartphone at a lower price. A refurbished phone is one that was returned, repaired, and inspected — often looking and working like new — but sold for a lot less than the original retail price. A pre-owned phone is one that was used and resold, which may or may not have been professionally inspected.

The key to buying safely is knowing where to buy. The safest sources are manufacturers and major certified resellers.

Apple sells Certified Refurbished iPhones directly through its website at apple.com/shop/refurbished. These phones are fully inspected, come with a new battery and outer shell, include all accessories, and carry the same one-year warranty as a new iPhone. They are visually indistinguishable from new and come in Apple's standard packaging.

Samsung sells Certified Re-Newed devices through its own website. These follow similar standards — inspected, restored, and sold with a warranty.

Major retailers also sell certified refurbished phones: Amazon Renewed, Best Buy's certified refurbished section, and Back Market are well-known options. Back Market is a reputable marketplace specializing in refurbished electronics with a grading system (Excellent, Good, Fair) so you know the cosmetic condition before buying.

Buying from individual sellers on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace carries more risk and requires more caution. If you go this route, look for sellers with high ratings and many reviews, ask whether the phone is carrier unlocked, confirm the IMEI number is clean (not reported lost or stolen), and meet in a safe public place.

When evaluating any refurbished phone, check: the battery health percentage (for iPhones, this is under Settings > Battery > Battery Health; for Android, some phones show it in settings), whether the phone is carrier unlocked (meaning it works with any carrier's SIM card), the cosmetic grade or condition description, and the return policy.

A good refurbished phone from a reputable source can provide years of reliable use at a fraction of the new price. A poorly vetted one from an unknown source can cost you more in frustration and repair costs than buying new would have.