With more and more people making an effort to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, refurbished smartphone handsets are on the rise. If you are considering buying a new smartphone, you might have already seen some tempting refurbished deals that are available at much cheaper prices compared to the sky-high brand-new smartphone costs today. With smartphone technology constantly improving, it’s no surprise that the price tags are also on the rise, with the latest models often setting customers back by over a thousand pounds. But with new models released multiple times a year, it’s not really worth paying the price for a smartphone that will go out of fashion and drop in value in less than a year’s time. So, what are some of the main reasons behind the growth in popularity of refurbished handsets?
Reduce the Upfront Cost
With more and more monthly smartphone plans now requiring quite a heavy upfront cost alongside a monthly expense, the overall cost savings are one of the main reasons why more and more people are turning to refurbished handsets. And with a lot of manufacturers and retailers also offering credit plans and buy now pay later options for customers, it’s still possible to spread the cost but for a lot less. Despite the fact that refurbished smartphones have been used in the past, as long as you buy from the manufacturer or a trusted retailer, you can expect them to come in perfect condition, clean and boxed up just like a new one ready for you to open and set up.
Lower Ongoing Costs
With smartphones becoming more and more of a necessity in our lives today, it’s an ongoing cost that many people want to reduce as much as possible without compromising on the quality and features of the handset that they use. The best thing about buying a refurbished handset is that they come SIM-free. As a result, this gives you much more freedom regarding the network that you want to use and how much you want to pay each month for your smartphone allowance. Rather than factoring in the cost of the handset at its value at the time you purchased it, you can go for a SIM-only plan like the ones offered by Lebara that don’t require any ongoing payments and are very affordable starting from just £5 for a month. You can compare SIM only deals online at the Lebara website to find an option that works best with your needs and budget. Compare SIM only deals here for an option with no credit checks and complete flexibility.
Eco-Friendliness
Today’s consumers are becoming more and more eco-friendly and this is reflected in the purchases that they make. More and more people are actively paying more to buy from brands that make an effort to be kinder to the planet while those that do not are being left behind. In addition, buying things second-hand and pre-loved is becoming increasingly popular as people realise that there’s a lot to be said for not just getting a bargain but also for saving items from landfill and allowing them to have a longer useful lifespan. Often, the refurbished phones that are perfectly usable and in great condition would end up in the trash, contributing to pollution levels.
Great Quality
You might be a little worried about buying a phone that has been used before, but there are plenty of reasons why there is nothing to worry about. As long as you purchase a handset that is manufacturer-refurbished or has been refurbished to a high standard by a reputable retailer, you can expect to get a high-quality handset option that you can trust to work just as well as a brand-new phone. Refurbished handsets are not always phone that have broken in the past and have been repaired. In some cases, the only reason that they are classed as refurbished and sold for a lower price is because the box has been opened and it can no longer be sold as brand new.
Warranties
Compared to other second-hand and preloved smartphone buying options, refurbished handsets are often more attractive to budget-conscious buyers as they will come with a warranty that will protect your purchase if anything goes wrong. As a result, you have peace of mind that even if your phone does end up showing any signs of damage or breaking down, you will be able to have it repaired or replaced free of charge for as long as the warranty is valid. In most cases, refurbished handsets will come with a 12-month warranty as standard, but you may be able to get an extended warranty from some companies.
Different Grades
Some people are more concerned than others about how their phone looks, and one of the best things about refurbished phones is that there are different phones to choose from. If scuffs and small marks on the bodywork do not bother you as you plan to just cover them up with a case, you can get a lower grade of refurbished phone at an even cheaper price. On the other hand, you can also find refurbished phones in pristine condition with no differences between them and the brand-new handsets, although you will pay more for this. However, you won’t find any with serious damage like a smashed screen.
More Handset Options
As more and more new handsets are released, many companies that sell smartphones brand new will only sell the newer ones, which can be frustrating for anybody who would prefer to save money by going for an older handset model. The best thing about refurbished handsets is that you can find a range of handset models that are no longer being sold by other retailers giving you a wider range of options to choose from when it comes to getting the phone that you need at the right price for you.
With more shoppers becoming budget-conscious and eco-friendly, it’s no surprise that the popularity of refurbished smartphone handsets has shot up in recent times.
