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has introduced a legal definition as of 2022). This means that different electronics resellers will have different definitions of what counts as a refurbished device. In theory, a smartphone could be sold as 'refurbished' with no repairs or testing whatsoever. However, most refurbished devices have
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In the UK, the refurbished electronics marketplace Back Market claims that "refurbished" devices are distinct from "used" devices, where a "used" device is one where no repairs or testing have taken place. However other specialist retailers, like The Big Phone Store, define refurbished phones as a
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Global demand for refurbished electronic devices has steadily risen since 2014. According to a 2024 report by GfK, this is primarily driven by cost, as well as the increasing necessity of owning digital devices. According to the same report, another contributing factor is increased environmental
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Usually, a refurbished electronic device is one that has been previously returned or re-sold to a retailer for any reason. They are then tested, and if necessary, repaired by a specialist refurbisher (or sometimes by the original manufacturer). Refurbished electronics may also be referred to as
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in the UK, sell both new and refurbished electronics. These are usually sourced from an independent refurbisher. Cellular network providers have begun to offer refurbished devices on contract. These are often devices that have been traded in to a network provider as part of a contract upgrade.
305:: The device has no visible signs of use of any kind. These devices have usually never been used. Often, the only difference between a brand-new smartphone and a like-new refurbished phone is that the tamper-seal has been broken.
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Many independent electronics refurbishers operate their own online retail store. In the USA, refurbished electronics retailers include
Gazelle, while in the UK, specialist retailers include The Big Phone Store and Envirofone.
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The 'Grade' or 'Condition' of a refurbished device describes how much wear and tear there is on the device. Some refurbished phone retailers will simply describe these with letter grades (i.e.
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In particular, the UK has seen steady growth in the refurbished phone market, with research showing that refurbished phones accounted for 1 in 4 smartphones sold in 2023.
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increasingly operate trade-in programs when buying a new device through their online store, which allows them to easily sell their own refurbished products.
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sold as Apple
Certified Refurbished will always come with a brand-new battery and brand-new "outer shell". Because of this, these devices may be considered
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329:: The device shows heavy signs of use, such as deep scratches or even cracks. These devices may also feature other flaws such as reduced battery health.
313:: The device may exhibit minor signs of use, such as micro-scratches. These should not be visible from a normal viewing distance (more than 12 inches).
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While in most countries there is no set legal definition, devices sold as "refurbished" tend to also come with the following assurances.
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etc.), while others use their own naming convention. It is important to note that these grades are usually cosmetic descriptions only.
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Refurbished phone retailers also often sell standard accessories such as phone cases, screen protectors, headphones, and chargers.
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Devices with heavier signs of use are priced lower, and on average may be less durable, than devices in perfect condition.
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Network compatibility testing: the device is the correct country specification and is not blocked on any network.
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Back Market and
Mozillion are examples of online marketplaces specialising in pre-owned electronics. Meanwhile
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597:"Decoding the Refurbished Device Market: How to Navigate Between New, Refurbished, and Re-used Devices"
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Often, the testing process is fully automated. Commonly used testing certification providers include
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Refurbished electronic devices are sold by a number of different kinds of retailer. These include:
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653:"One-quarter of all mobile phones sold in the UK in 2023 were bought secondhand or refurbished"
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Battery health testing: the device has a reasonably high battery health (usually at least 80%).
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Full data destruction and factory reset: the device retains no data from any previous owner.
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awareness, as both smartphone manufacture and electronic waste are sources of pollution.
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Functionality testing: the device is fully functional and has not been tampered with.
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Optional upgrades (such as replacing a partially used battery with a brand-new one).
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A clearly explained cosmetic grade (also referred to as the device's "condition").
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In many countries, the word "refurbished" is not legally protected (although
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451:"Assessment of the environmental impact of a set of refurbished products"
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Restoration and testing of pre-owned electronic devices prior to resale
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Background checks: the device is not blacklisted or reported stolen.
525:"ᐅ Buy Cheap Refurbished Phones & Second Hand Mobiles - TBPS"
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A transparent returns policy, with a 14-day "cooling-off" period.
625:"Refurbished phones: a guide to buying second-hand phones - MSE"
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Specialist retailers of refurbished devices typically provide:
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Software testing: the device has not been jailbroken or rooted.
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500:"Refurbished vs Used and Pre-Owned: What's the Difference?"
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been rigorously tested to ensure they are fully working.
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differ from most other refurbished devices. For example,
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are therefore pre-owned electronic devices (usually
147:The sale of refurbished electronics is part of the
372:A number of large electronics retailers, such as
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266:Basic accessories (such as a USB charging cable).
321:: The device shows clear visible signs of use.
220:Authenticity checks: the device is not a fake.
177:specific type of used or second-hand device.
92:electronic device so that it can be re-sold.
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88:is the practice of restoring and testing a
368:Electronics Retailers and Mobile Networks.
339:Types of Refurbished Electronics Retailer
68:Learn how and when to remove this message
476:"Finally a definition of refurbishment"
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623:Knight, Chris (14 June 2024).
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181:Apple Certified Refurbished
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39:to meet Knowledge (XXG)'s
682:Electronics manufacturing
260:Secure, insured shipping.
601:www.blackbeltdefence.com
94:Refurbished electronics
279:Conditions and Grades
159:Competing Definitions
692:Sustainable business
504:www.backmarket.co.uk
356:Device Manufacturers
310:Pristine / Excellent
172:Used vs. Refurbished
50:improve this article
629:Money Saving Expert
529:The Big Phone Store
385:Online Marketplaces
294:Common conditions:
687:Recycling industry
577:www.phonecheck.com
455:La librairie ADEME
549:"Why Refurbished"
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110:smartwatches
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58:October 2017
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48:Please help
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657:www.gfk.com
457:(in French)
399:TikTok Shop
326:Fair / Poor
191:iOS devices
187:Apple store
138:recertified
98:smartphones
82:electronics
52:if you can.
45:formatting.
676:Categories
662:2024-06-18
606:2024-06-18
582:2024-06-18
558:2024-06-18
553:Apple (UK)
534:2024-06-18
509:2024-06-18
485:2024-06-18
461:2024-06-18
438:References
244:Blackbelt.
240:Phonecheck
90:pre-owned
421:See also
302:Like New
142:like new
134:recycled
34:require
634:18 June
374:BestBuy
362:Samsung
289:Grade B
285:Grade A
126:renewed
118:cameras
106:laptops
102:tablets
36:cleanup
395:Amazon
391:Swappa
378:Currys
165:France
140:, or "
116:, and
104:, or
636:2024
403:eBay
242:and
80:In
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Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. Additional terms may apply.