Refurbished phones: how to get a cheap iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, Sony Xperia, HTC and more

With new iPhone 7 set to be unveiled today, a lot of older models about to get cheaper. Here's how to save even more on your next phone.

Let’s not kid ourselves: tech is expensive, especially when it comes to smartphones, with these devices costing the best part of a month’s salary.

But if you don’t mind buying nearly new, you can grab some hi-spec handsets for around a third off its original price.

So here’s everything you need to know about buying a refurbished smartphone.

What to look for

Refurbished smartphones are those that have been sent back to the manufacturer either because they were faulty or the customer has renewed their contract early and no longer needs the phone.

If the phone has been sent back with a fault, this will be fully repaired before it goes back on sale, and in all cases a basic refurbishment should involve replacing the case and battery.

Once the refurb is complete, the handset will typically be given one of the following grades (be aware these grades are set independently, so quality can vary):

• Grade A – Handset will appear as new, with very minor signs of wear, if any.
• Grade B – Handset will have slight signs of cosmetic damage, such as chips or scratches.
• Grade C – Handset will appear used with obvious signs of wear and tear.

There’s a good chance the phone won’t come in any of its original packaging, and might not come with all of the original accessories, but it will be a fully functional, and potentially factory-fresh, handset.

All handsets should come with a warranty, so make sure you check the terms, conditions and length of any manufacturer or retailer guarantee before you buy.

Need a laptop instead? Read our guide to buying refurbished laptops

How much can you save?

 O2 is currently selling a refurbished 128GB iPhone 6 for £490, a saving of £209 on a brand new model.

Over on eBay, you can pick up a retailer refurbished Samsung Galaxy S6 for £276, a saving of £123 on the price of a new one, or you can get an HTC One M8 for just £120, saving yourself £160.

Where to buy refurbished smartphones

If possible, always try to buy a refurbished smartphone direct from the manufacturer as the quality of the refurbishment is usually better and the work should be covered by a comprehensive warranty.

Otherwise, always buy from a reputable retailer, or if you’re buying from an auction site, always check the feedback score, conditions of sale and whether any warranty is included.

And don’t just go for the cheapest you can find - if something appears too good to be true, it probably is.

Finding the best SIM-only deal

Once you’ve got your nearly new handset you should shop around for a decent SIM-only deal.

You can compare deals on Recombu and take a look at the cheapest 4G SIM-only mobile deals for our top picks.

Compare 0% credit cards offering interest-free purchases for up to 27 months

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