Refurbished Phone Purchase Experiences

[insanelupus]

My old phone needs replaced. I'm am Android user, Apple will not be a consideration. I will likely be going with a Samsung product.

If you have purchased refurbished phones in the past, what was your experience? Do you have a preferred vendor?

New prices are crazy. I value a very good camera, battery life, large storage capacity, and would prefer a smaller screen (but I'm willing to sacrifice that trait for the other three).

Durability is an issue as I keep them a long time, but plan to use an Otterbox and 9H screen protector.

Refurbished is looking to be the most appealing and most economical for what I want.

Thoughts and experiences? Thanks!

 

[Pgohil]

We use about eight Android phones in our business. And I will not buy new ones. I buy refurbished ones usually off of eBay and we've not had a problem yet. Their functional, few years old and the savings are well worth it. Good luck!!

 

[engineer78]

The only refurb phone I've had an issue with was a Galaxy Fold 5 a while back. After 6 months, wifi stopped working when display opened, seemed to be a known issue with the connection between the 2 halves of the phone. Warranty repaired without issue but it was annoying to need to purchase another phone to use for the few days it was at the repair center. For any phone that has a good track record of reliability, purchase from a reputable store and it should be fine.

 

[Mighty Mouse]

I've been buying refurbished/renewed phones from Amazon for the past 10+ years. They've all been Android except for one Apple digression (iPhone 12 Mini) that reminded me how much I hate iOS. I usually choose a model that's 2-3 generations old at a price around 1/3 of a comparable new model. I'm currently using a Samsung Galaxy S23. Most Amazon sellers offer a 90 day free return window so you get some time to test drive the phone before you decide whether or not to keep it. I've used the return option once, on a refurbished Google Pixel ordered for my wife that developed a discolored vertical stripe across the display. Otherwise my experience with refurbished phones has been very positive.

 

[R boar]

I have a refurb Pixel 9 pro i got from Backmarket a year or so ago. It's been fine. Before that I had a galaxy s21 I bought from Amazon refurbished. It was fine too.

After a few years the galaxy started randomly crashing and dying, like a motherboard failure or something so I had to replace it. My current pixel has randomly shut itself down twice now.

Sample size is way too small to conclude the refurbished phones are less reliable though. They are a lot cheaper. I'll probably buy a refurb next time too. I can't come to terms with spending $1000+ on a phone, but I really appreciate having a good camera and they keep getting better.

I do like the Pixel better than the Galaxy overall, but there were a couple things I preferred about the Galaxy.

 

[MuleyFever]

Ive bought year old Motorola models for my last 2 phones for about $125. They have both been great and lasted years.

 

[wyosteve]

I'm a Verizon customer and they often have promotions where I get a new phone at no cost, basically just agree to remain with them for 3 years (which is not an issue for me). This has been for iPhones, but you might check with them to see if they offer similar with Android phones.

 

[txtransplant]

I’ve bought a couple of phones off Backmarket over the years. They’re perfectly fine. That said, the price savings and nearer term obsolescence should be factored in. If you’re saving $200, but the phone is 4 years older (and support would likely cease 4 years sooner), it may not be worth it.

 

[fmyth]

I wouldn't buy a refurb or open box phone if you plan to use it for any banking, investment or crypto transactions. I just checked T-mobile and can buy a new Samsung Galaxy A17 (starlink capable) for $229 with no contract or adding any lines/services.

 

[go_deep]

I bought a S23 off ebay, it would have been about 2 years old. It came with a no questions asked full refund or exchange for up to 90 days after purchase, been probably a year, no problems. The seller did have a few people comment that they had an issue shortly after getting their phone, but they sent a replacement quickly.

Buying used electronics is extremely overlooked.

 

[SuperDUECE22]

Amazon renewed store, They also have a trade in program where your old phone may be worth some money. They also offer 90 day guarantee for standard renewed devices or 1 year for renewed premium and some of phones also come with an additional 11 month Asurion warranty for a total of 1 year of coverage.