The market for refurbished phones is now growing more than twice as fast the market for new devices. However, with dramatic savings—usually 40 to 50% less expensive than their brand-new like types—this choice looks very appealing to many consumers. Simon Bryant, the vice president of research at CCS Insight, warns that buyers must navigate the complexities of grading and age when looking for a reliable refurbished phone.
Additionally, Bryant notes that the grading systems for refurbished devices are often notorious for being unreliable. He characterizes their standards as “all over the map,” creating difficulties in a marketplace for buyers to judge quality among what can be many different platforms. Since each second-hand marketplace has different grading criteria, buyers and sellers can become confused and frustrated.
In his preliminary recommendations, Bryant recommends consumers look for phones that are no older than three generations old. He calls this period, around three to five years post-release, “the sweet spot” for buying refurbished devices. At this stage, phones typically counter with the most advanced features. They undergo hardly any wear and tear, as they haven’t seen heavy use.
“You know it’s going to work. It’s going to have relatively new features and it’s not going to be used so much. So the wear and tear on the device will be less.” – Simon Bryant
Bryant recommends not buying phones older than five or six generations. Support for Android and iOS operating systems Older models do not carry this support. This can lead to usability breaks and leave them vulnerable to security breaches. As technology advances, devices that were once cutting-edge will stop receiving critical updates or any updates at all from their manufacturers.
Perhaps the best sign of how popular refurbished phones have become is the increasing number of added benefits that come bundled with these devices. As opposed to buying their entire collection outright, most refurbished phones come with warranties, flexible financing options and after-sales service boosting their attractiveness to penny-pinching consumers. These added benefits offer each customer even more confidence in quality and reliability, making refurbished phones a perfect choice for many customers.
Buyers need to know what to look for in the fine print as they make their choice. Many refurbished phones have two IMEI numbers assigned, requiring thorough tracking and testing to confirm the device’s authenticity and history. Some platforms will even promise that the battery will always contain at least a set amount of its original capacity—typically 80%. This promise to the user is the linchpin for delivering a rewarding user journey.
Bryant points out that this surging demand for refurbished phones has truly changed the market landscape. Businesses are realizing this and responding with greater transparency and customer care, as more consumers learn about their choices. With this growth comes challenges. As Bryant explains, “When you do that, it really complicates people’s ability to shop around.” This can be particularly frustrating to buyers not well-versed in the nuances between differing platforms and grading scales.
In order to avoid pitfalls in this new and complicated market, buyers need to do their homework before buying one. Understanding the grading system employed by each platform can provide insights into the quality and condition of the device being considered. In following Bryant’s wisdom, buyers should look primarily at models three generations old or newer. That’s how this approach allows them to balance affordability and functionality.
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