What to Check When Buying a Refurbished Phone

Buying a refurbished phone can be a great way to save money compared with buying new, but not all refurbished devices are prepared or sold to the same standard.

Before choosing a refurbished smartphone, it's worth checking how the device has been tested, its battery health, cosmetic condition, warranty and whether it will continue to receive software and security updates.

Here's what to look for before you buy.

1. Check how the phone has been tested

A refurbished phone should have been properly inspected and tested before being offered for sale.

Testing should cover important functions such as the display, touchscreen, cameras, speakers, microphones, charging, buttons and connectivity. Any faults identified during refurbishment should be repaired before the device is sold.

At Want a New Gadget, our refurbished phones are professionally tested before sale so you can buy with confidence.

2. Check the battery health

Battery condition is particularly important when buying a refurbished phone because rechargeable batteries naturally lose capacity as they age.

Our refurbished phones are supplied with a minimum 80% battery health.

If you'd like to understand what that means in everyday use, read our Refurbished Phone Battery Health Explained guide.

3. Understand the cosmetic grade

A refurbished phone doesn't necessarily look brand new. Cosmetic condition can vary depending on the device and the grade being sold.

At Want a New Gadget, we use three grades:

Premium – our best cosmetic condition.

Great – a good overall cosmetic condition with some signs of previous use.

Fair – more noticeable cosmetic wear while remaining fully functional.

The grade relates primarily to the cosmetic condition of the device rather than whether its core functions work.

See our Refurbished Phone Grading Guide for a full explanation of each grade.

4. Check the warranty

Always check what warranty is supplied with a refurbished phone and what it covers.

A meaningful warranty gives you protection if a hardware fault develops after purchase, subject to the warranty terms and exclusions.

Want a New Gadget refurbished phones are supplied with a 12-month warranty.

5. Check the returns policy

It's worth checking the retailer's returns policy before ordering, particularly when buying a refurbished device online.

This gives you an opportunity to inspect the phone when it arrives and make sure you're happy with your purchase.

Want a New Gadget offers a 30-day returns period, subject to our Refund & Returns Policy.

6. Check software and security support

Older smartphones can continue working perfectly well for years, but manufacturers eventually stop providing operating-system or security updates for older models.

Before buying an older refurbished phone, consider how long you intend to keep it and whether the model is still supported with appropriate software and security updates.

This can be particularly important if you're choosing an older device primarily because of its lower price.

7. Choose enough storage

Think about how much storage you'll need before choosing your phone.

Photos, videos, apps, games and downloaded media can consume a significant amount of space, and many modern smartphones don't allow their internal storage to be expanded later.

If you're likely to keep the phone for several years, choosing more storage than you currently need can be worthwhile.

8. Buy from a retailer you can contact

Price shouldn't be the only consideration when comparing refurbished phones.

Check that you're buying from an established retailer with clear contact information, grading standards, warranty terms and returns information.

Knowing who has refurbished or supplied the device and who to contact if something goes wrong provides additional reassurance when buying refurbished technology.

Is a refurbished phone right for you?

For many people, a professionally refurbished smartphone provides an excellent balance between price, performance and sustainability.

The key is knowing what you're buying. Look for clear information about testing, battery health, cosmetic grading, warranty, returns and ongoing software support rather than choosing solely on price.

You can browse our refurbished mobile phones, including refurbished Apple iPhones and Samsung Galaxy phones, or learn more in our guides to what a refurbished phone is, refurbished vs used phones, and whether refurbished phones are worth it.