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How to find out if an iPhone is restored or not? Refurbished (refurbished) phones, what does this mean?

Today, refurbished iPhones and phones from other companies are increasingly being discussed on the Internet. Refurbished (restored, updated) means a smartphone or other device that has been repaired to new condition. That is, a company gets its hands on a batch of phones with various defects, it replaces the parts with new ones, brings them to perfect condition, at least externally, packs them in a brand new box with all the logos and sends them back to the shelves. As a rule, it is very difficult to distinguish an externally restored phone from a new one - the difference may lie inside (damaged circuit boards, etc.). iPhone Refurbished (refurbished smartphones from Apple) are especially popular. The reason for its popularity lies on the surface: a significantly lower price than the original, with the same characteristics.

Refurbished phones: is it worth it?

The question regarding the advisability of buying refurbished iPhones is more popular than ever. In times of crisis, our fellow citizens are forced to look for alternatives to the desired device from Apple or other companies. And here is a restored model, and it’s cheap, and no different from the original! Why not buy it, actually!?

It is worth noting that you can find two variations of refurbished iPhones on the market:

  1. Models that are repaired by Apple itself (or its partners), which ensures excellent quality. As a rule, such iPhones have fixed minor defects that were identified by the previous user. He returns the smartphone to the seller, it is repaired, goes through all the checks again, and is returned to the shelves. Moreover, ordinary offline stores sell such refurbished iPhones, indicating on the box that the device has undergone a repair procedure. Naturally, the price drops a little, but only slightly (1000-2000 rubles). Another plus is the warranty, which also applies to the Refurbished iPhone.
  2. Models that are being restored in the Middle Kingdom. Chinese craftsmen have their own channels through which they receive broken iPhones, Samsung, LG, HTC and other phones. It is also unknown where they get materials to repair them. In addition, you will not guess how well the repairs were carried out. Well, refurbished phones on AliExpress are mostly quite old models. If the Chinese are not so good with guarantees, then the price tag is in perfect order. Do you want an iPhone two or three times cheaper than the original? Please!


We prefer refurbished phones from China, and you probably do too. Therefore, in the article we will rely on them. So, is it worth buying a refurbished iPhone from AliExpress or rebuilding it with the original one? Do you want to save money, and are you generally not used to spending on expensive flagships? Order now. Lots of satisfied users leave excellent reviews about refurbished phones. However, there are also unsuccessful models, which, as a rule, have to change the battery. If you have several thousand rubles lying around, you can buy an old flagship from a well-known brand, just for fun.

So, we hope you get the gist of today’s topic. Let's move on to the smartphones themselves, which we managed to find on AliExpress.

Samsung Galaxy S5

Oh, how they mocked the back cover of the Samsung Galaxy S5, which received a specific coating. The smartphone came out at a time when it was not yet mainstream to install two cameras in every budget smartphone, or make it glass or metal. Only plastic, only hardcore! The Samsung Galaxy S5 looks really poor today, but its main advantages are hidden inside.

The refurbished Samsung Galaxy S5 takes on all the characteristics of the original phone. We have a high-quality display with a diagonal of just over 5 inches, which is presented in FHD resolution. By the way, a SuperAMOLED matrix is ​​used, there is even Gorilla glass, but of the third generation (and there were no later ones at that time). The camera is surprising, despite the age of the phone - this is what a flagship from a famous brand is called. And the performance will not disappoint. The refurbished smartphone is sold with Snapdragon 801 “on board”, which is still able to cope with any tasks with ease. RAM, however, is two gigs, but nowadays it is customary to have four or more. The storage is designed for 16 or 32 gigabytes. But the battery is not impressive - 2800 mAh, knowing the requirements of the chip, looks average.

In addition, the refurbished Samsung Galaxy S5 offers quite modern features: a fingerprint scanner, NFC, heart rate sensor and others. Whether to buy or not is up to you to decide. We’ll just add that the Samsung Galaxy S5 still remains one of the most popular smartphones in Russia.

Apple iPhone 4S

  • It won’t be difficult to find a refurbished iPhone 4S at a price of 5,000 rubles (http://ali.pub/1p27ox – best seller on AliExpress)
  • A stylish smartphone from Apple that managed to win the hearts of not a single million users. Old, but not useless.

Apple iPhone 4S was introduced back in the fall of 2011, becoming a truly flagship device with a premium design. Almost 6 years have passed, the original smartphone has practically disappeared from store shelves. However, refurbished iPhone 4S from China have found a new life, which almost anyone can afford. Interestingly, in some tests, the old man from Apple outperforms the newest budget phones on Android for about the same amount.

Apple iPhone 4S is a so-called sandwich made of glass and a metal frame. Looks stylish. Of course, by today's standards, the screen of the restored phone is small - only 3.5 inches. However, this diagonal may appeal to fans of compact devices. The image still looks good.

If you despise all those tiny displays, then you'll love ours, enjoy.

The iPhone 4S camera takes quite good pictures, if you are not one of the users with too high demands. The hardware, of course, looks ancient - an old Apple A5 processor, which, coupled with 512 MB of RAM, is trying to squeeze out the last. However, do not forget about the powerful optimization of Apple products. But the storage capacity is for every taste, starting with 8 gigabytes, up to 64 gigabytes. Autonomy is ensured by a tiny battery, but the smartphone does not require more.

The iPhone 4S is one of the best-selling refurbished phones on AliExpress, with the vast majority of users completely satisfied with the quality, leaving positive reviews in droves.

HTC One M9

This smartphone is not as old as those presented above, but has already been forgotten by many users, although it offers decent characteristics even by modern standards. It was shown in the spring of 2015, attention was paid to the 20-megapixel camera with RAW support and a very cool Super LCD 3 screen. It is still officially sold in Russia today, but a refurbished phone looks more attractive, which will cost half as much.

The key material is metal, which is used to ensure maximum reliability. The appearance is in the tradition of classic HTC. The front frames are a little off-putting, but you quickly get used to them. The saturated display catches the eye, which at 5 inches produces a pixel density of 441ppi. The cameras are excellent even today: 20 MP + 4 MP with other gadgets. The “filling” is quite fast, although already quite outdated - Snapdragon 810 and 3 GB of memory. There was enough for everything then, and there is enough now. 32 gigs of permanent memory are available for user files. The micro-USB port is a little frustrating, as it already looks like a relic of the past.

Overall, the HTC One M9 is an excellent option if you decide to test a refurbished phone from Aliexpress, which will last for several years without any problems while remaining relevant.

Sony Xperia Z1

  • You can buy a refurbished phone for 6,000 rubles (the most popular seller on AliExpress is http://ali.pub/1p27tl)
  • The most interesting smartphone of its time, which pleased with its signature design, premium materials and excellent cameras. Many people may still like it today.

At the time of the start of sales, the Sony Xperia Z1 was positioned as the company’s flagship, and it could also present top-level characteristics. The smartphone has acquired dust and moisture protection, proprietary cameras that can take excellent pictures, and an updated interface. In the Z1, the manufacturer continued to develop the OmniBalance design, but abandoned the rubberized plastic in favor of a metal frame.

The smartphone is quite compact and has a small screen with a high pixel density. The main camera is a 20.7-megapixel Exmor RS sensor, which boasts optical zoom and autofocus. Hardware is quite outdated today - Snapdragon 800 with 2 GB no longer looks formidable. The operating system received its last update in 2015, so you'll have to make do with Android Lollipop. The Sony battery, as usual, does not have the largest capacity, which forces you to regularly make runs to the outlet.

The unusual design and quite suitable characteristics attract users to the refurbished version of the phone, which, moreover, is available at a very low price.

iPhone 5S

  • Available at prices starting from 10,000 rubles from this seller - http://ali.pub/1p27uk
  • Still a relevant smartphone from Apple, which copes with any tasks without problems, receives system updates, offers a good camera and compact size

What Apple smartphones can boast of is a long life. While most phones from 2013 have faded into oblivion, the iPhone 5S continues to live and be updated. Users, in turn, continue to buy the model quite actively. And refurbished iPhones 5S sell especially well, which can be ordered from AliExpress at a very attractive price.

No matter how much we praise the iPhone, this does not mean that there are no better smartphones than it. We even compiled a rating in which we included.

iPhone 5S is a compact metal device that fits like a glove in your hand, providing the maximum level of ease of use. The screen is 4-inch, as Steve Jobs bequeathed, with a rich picture and good glass. In terms of shooting, the iPhone 5S is still good, and is ready to challenge even newer competitors. “Hardware,” of course, “on paper” seriously lags behind the latest flagships and even mid-rangers, but during operation the performance is fully sufficient. What's frustrating is the battery capacity - Apple has always stuck to small batteries with good optimization. However, there is a chance that you will come across a refurbished iPhone that will run on an old, half-dead battery.

Is it worth the risk to buy a refurbished iPhone 5S at a good discount? Definitely. The Refurbished model, as a rule, is in no way inferior to the original, and costs exactly what this smartphone should cost in 2017.

Samsung Galaxy S7/S7 Edge

  • Cost from 16,500 rubles for the Galaxy S7 and from 25,000 rubles for the Edge version (seller – http://ali.pub/1p27x3)
  • Last year's flagship of the Korean company, equipped with a good camera (one of the best in its class), powerful hardware and other useful functions

There’s nothing special to talk about – you already know everything about the much-hyped smartphone from Samsung. Presented in two solutions: a more familiar design with a flat screen and a different vision with a curved display. The specifications can still be safely recorded in the top class, and the price of the Samsung Galaxy S7 is getting closer to the middle segment, especially refurbished phones.

The matrix, as in most smartphones from the Korean manufacturer, is AMOLED, providing stunning black color. High resolution, great for virtual reality. It’s difficult to find fault with the image quality at all. The cameras are almost on par with the Galaxy S8; not even every professional will immediately see the difference. The device is equipped with one of the latest proprietary chips (there are versions on Snapdragon), and 4 GB of RAM is provided for good multitasking. Not the biggest battery, but decent autonomy.

In addition, the refurbished phone, just like the original, is equipped with wireless charging technology, an NFC interface, and IP68 certification.

LG G5

LG G5, despite failures at the start of sales, a year after its release, it flooded AliExpress, or rather its refurbished versions. The smartphone, be that as it may, looks pretty good, standing out noticeably from its competitors. Probably, someone will like the modularity of the LG G5, which allows you to quickly change the battery and perform some other operations.

The smartphone was released in the flagship segment, and it still is today. It is equipped with a large, clear display, a dual main camera, which at the time of the start of sales managed to amaze many users with its wide angle. And the “filling” doesn’t let you down - the fast Snapdragon 820 with its 4 cores can easily cope with displaying images on an ultra-clear display and launching the latest games. The memory isn't fantastic, but it's enough for most people. In addition to modularity, the smartphone also received other “tricks” of the modern mobile market: NFC, fast charging function and USB Type-C, and finally, a fingerprint scanner.

Now is the time to buy a refurbished LG G5 - the phone is available for very little money, it is relevant and will not cease to be so in the near future.

Google Nexus 6

  • The restored version is available at a price of 13,000 rubles (link to seller - http://ali.pub/1p27zt)
  • One of the best Andoid smartphones according to many users, distinctive design and balanced hardware

The most popular line of smartphones, under the auspices of Google. Obviously, having such a partner is a great success, which brought Nexus “clean” Android and current updates. All this was complemented by a strict, neat design, which was loved by many. But Google switched to Pixel, and the Nexus 6 became the final chord. However, it has not lost popularity, remaining very popular and relevant.

The refurbished Google Nexus 6 appears as a phablet with a high-resolution display (2560x1440 pixels). The screen is AMOLED, there is the latest Gorilla glass for 2014 and a good oleophobic layer - the Nexus 6 tried to be perfect in everything. The cameras, when studying the characteristics, do not seem super cool, but this is only at first glance. In fact, they are ready to compete with the latest smartphones from major brands. The Snapdragon 805 processor is somewhat outdated, but is capable of delivering heat in the latest releases. There is a wireless charging function, but the phone is not equipped with a scanner. The only obvious drawback is Android Lollipop, which is already quite outdated.

Otherwise, we have before us a good refurbished smartphone, which can become an alternative to mid-budget solutions from the same AliExpress.

HTC Desire 610

  • You can buy a smartphone for about 3,500 rubles (seller – http://ali.pub/1p2816)
  • A good affordable smartphone from a well-known company, the characteristics correspond to the lower segment, but an undemanding user will be satisfied

Budget smartphone from HTC, released in 2014. It has minimal technical equipment, so demanding high results in benchmarks is stupid. The body is made of plastic, quite cheap, the back side is glossy. However, the HTC Desire 610 looks pretty good for its price. Only the wide black borders around the screen can be off-putting.

The display is a compact 4.7 inches, but due to the frames it is much larger than analogues with the same diagonal. The resolution is not even HD, but the picture is clear enough for comfortable work. The cameras are budget, which is immediately noticeable. The “stuffing” is also not so great: Snapdragon 400 and only 1 GB of RAM. Although many Chinese companies are not even able to offer this. 8 GB storage. The phone supports 4G. A battery of just over 2000 mAh is capable of providing a couple of days of autonomy without any problems, taking into account not the most power-hungry specifications.

We know that many users still opt for compact phones, and for them the refurbished HTC Desire 610 is a great option.

iPhone 6S/6S Plus

And again we return to restored iPhones, and immediately to the yet unforgotten flagship. IPhone 6S/6S Plus are two smartphones from the company that differ in screen size, memory capacity and battery capacity. We don’t even have to talk about relevance - the models are updated, cope with any user’s tasks, and the specifications are still attractive.

Read about, which are cheaper, but more productive than many flagships.

There are 4.7 and 5.5 inches to choose from – the screens are excellent, have protective glass, and recognize pressure. Cameras, while they may not wow you on paper, will do so while shooting. The main one is one of the best on the market, second only to smartphones from Samsung. The devices are equipped with a proprietary processor of the penultimate generation, which is complemented by 2 or 3 GB of RAM (3 GB for the Plus version). Despite the specifications, the iPhone 6S remains one of the most powerful smartphones.

A refurbished iPhone 6S on AliExpress costs significantly less than in electronics stores. Various cashback services and discounts will also help you save.

Conclusion

Despite the skepticism of many users about refurbished phones, they sell well and give new owners a lot of positive emotions. Yes, there are also unpleasant cases when repaired smartphones arrive in poor or completely non-functional condition. But this is the exception rather than the rule.

How do you feel about refurbished phones? Would you buy one like this? Or maybe you already use it? Share your opinion in the comments.

AliExpress Buyer
The phone is super, the seller is responsive, I will order more, the display is original, like the phone itself, order it, you won’t regret it.
Updated reviews
I fell from a height of one meter onto the tile, sulfuric acid got into the edge of the glass, I washed it under running water, everything works, awesome phone.
N***a R.
The phone reached Bashkortostan in 2 weeks! The phone is original, I immediately flashed it to Android 5.1! There were not big problems, but the seller reimbursed everything, the seller is sociable and reliable, and the delivery was fast! As a gift I included a case and film, although inexpensive, it was nice!
AliExpress Buyer
Arrived quickly, in 2 weeks nothing was broken, no scratches, there is one “but” - 4g and nfc do not work, as I understand, the board is not European, but 3g is enough, but I still don’t use nfc. You can order. I’ve been using the phone for a month, the flight is normal, the only downside is that the phone is for Japan, because of this LTE and NFC do not work, otherwise everything is fine, I’m happy with the order for the money.
AliExpress Buyer
The camera is crooked, but it’s fine, I updated it to Android 5 and there’s no nfs antenna on the lid. In general, a phone without 4G is a scam.

Reviews for unlocked phone:

T***y L.
The phone took a long time. Very well packaged. Headphones, charger and instructions included. The phone is in excellent condition: no scratches, no abrasions, no chips. I can’t say about functionality yet, because... I haven't studied everything yet. The only downside I can note is that after 5-7 minutes of trial use the phone got pretty hot. I'm quite pleased with the order.
L***a M.
Thank you. The smartphone arrived without any complaints. I have ordered from many sellers, this seller has the best quality product so far. Although sometimes the price is too high. Android 5.0 in the smartphone, which is nice.
V***r C.
Quite fast delivery in 3 weeks. Overall the phone is good. In Antutu it gets more than 54,000. It's definitely worth the money. Very responsive seller, answers all questions quickly.

Many buyers, when they begin to explore the Chinese online megamarket Aliexpress, ask themselves the question - is it possible to buy a branded smartphone from manufacturers such as Sony, LG, Samsung or Nokia on this trading platform? The answer to this question will be positive - yes, it is possible. But is it worth it? Now you'll find out.

If we enter a request for any of the above brands into the search bar on Aliexpress and select the “Mobile phones” category, we will see a lot of offers. The search will give us offers for the purchase of all kinds of models. At the same time, new items are not sold here, but such recently popular smartphones as Samsung Galaxy S2, Galaxy S3, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note, LG Optimus G, LG G2, LG Optimus G Pro, Nokia Lumia 800, Nokia Lumia 920, Lumia 620, Sony Xperia Z, Sony Xperia T can be purchased without any problems. And this is just a small list of models. Here you can even find such oldies as LG Optimus One, Samsung Galaxy Nexus I9250, Sony Xperia Arc S and many other interesting devices. Moreover, there are not only branded smartphones here, but also regular phones, incl. and push-button.

Many buyers, when they see a tempting offer to buy, for example, an LG Optimus G Pro for $170-180 or a Samsung Galaxy S3 for $200, really start to think - why not buy a cool, branded smartphone for that price? Perhaps there is some kind of catch? Maybe the phones are not originals, but Chinese copies-counterfeits? In fact, no, these are not copies at all, but the very originals. But there really is a nuance, and a very big one.

The thing is that all branded smartphones and phones on Aliexpress are not new. But this is not outright second-hand, as on radio markets. Here we have restored phones, the so-called Refurbished. What it is? These are phones and smartphones that, for various reasons, are sold a second (or maybe more) time. For example, the previous owner’s display broke or some chip burned out - in a word, a defect arose, and the owner returned the phone under warranty. Such a device is repaired and sold again, but as Refurbished. Perhaps the buyer simply did not like the smartphone and returned it, although the device itself is absolutely in good working order. The process of restoring phones in China is on a grand scale, and, as we see, the sales process is too.

Whether to buy such phones or not is up to everyone to decide for themselves. After all, there is always a risk of running into a not very “living” specimen, which will turn into a brick in the near future. But you can also buy a completely working phone that will serve faithfully for many more years. After all, breakdowns are different, and the quality of restoration is also different. So buying a refurbished branded smartphone or phone is a kind of lottery.

Sellers do not hide, and do not have the right to hide, that the devices they sell are refurbished. There is a line in the product description "Item Condition", and if opposite this item you see the inscription "Refurbished", which means we have a restored device. If you are viewing the Aliexpress website in Russian, the inscription will be displayed as "Updated". Practice shows that all branded smartphones on Aliexpress are refurbished.

SELLERS OF RESTORED PHONES ON ALIEXPRESS:

If you still decide to make such a purchase, then try to choose reliable sellers. Below we offer you a small list of such sellers who have decent sales volumes, relatively good reviews and a long history of trading on Ali. If you’re going to place an order, it’s from them.

Also on Aliexpress you can find and buy almost any accessories and many spare parts (cases, headsets, touchscreens, etc.) for brand phones. And they will certainly be completely new :)

And so we continue to understand Referbish, this time I’m writing a blog from a hotel in the city of Shenzhen, which is located in China and borders the Hong Kong special economic zone.
I was brought here because my friends are opening their own service center for repairing cell phones, mainly Apple and Samsung. It has long been no secret to anyone that normal high-quality equipment at a reasonable price can be bought in China. And also fill your warehouse with high-quality spare parts and components. There were no objections to my presence, so I decided to take a trip to the Middle Kingdom, and at the same time, if there was an opportunity, to figure it out and dig deeper about restored mobile phones...
Since my last article (almost the first), I have had enough time to understand in more detail the quality of referrals.
I also managed to find several sites, including discount-mobile.ru, that sell refurbished phones.
First, about the quality of the products. Yes Yes! there are several categories: a+, a, b, c, d,

Category A+
The product is refurbished in the same factories where it was actually produced.
For example: You bought a phone from an authorized Apple iPhone Store, and a week later it broke down. They replace you with a new device for free, and the broken one is sent to the manufacturer (Foxconn).
Then you can purchase a refurbished phone, for example, on the website of the American mobile operator AT&T. On the site there are expensive Refurbished phones and there are some for free. It depends on how many years you sign a contract to use this connection.
The second way to get such a phone: let’s say your iPhone 4s does not turn on 8 months after purchase. And by pure chance you ended up, for example, in the Hong Kong Apple Store, you give your phone and pay an additional 130 USD, in return they give you the same, officially restored iPhone 4s, which will have a “original” 1-year warranty. Unfortunately in Russia the warranty only applies to PCT iPhones. All other equipment (ipad, macbook, ipod) is serviced without problems. At least a few months ago there were no problems.

Category A
Such serious mobile operators as T-mobile, at&t, Verizon, as well as large retail networks (for example, bestbuy.com are always ready to offer a person a new phone in exchange for an old one with an additional payment, such as trade-in. Next, very serious companies buy back the accumulated stock from the above companies and sell them to small offices, which in turn put the product up at auctions (for example this one) in the form of a lot. These lots are won by large, serious "ref" factories. They restore phones in factory conditions from original new spare parts and components. Apparently this is the kind of product I have! I purchased it from discount-mobile.ru, which I already talked about and showed in a previous one. The phone was packed in original factory films and a box, the original accessories also worked for a long time, I was even lucky with the guarantee, the website apple.com showed that before the warranty period expired. 4 months left. In general, the phone is fine with the flight!!! I'm thinking of changing it to the fifth one.

Category B
This category refers to goods purchased at the same auctions in small resellers.
Phones are no longer restored in equipped workshops and without professional equipment.
The cheapest spare parts and components for such phones are bought, the frame, touchscreen and back cover are bought new, but unfortunately, spare parts such as a microphone, speakers, cables, sensors, batteries, vibration motors, are left as old ones so that the box and accessories are also copies. This method is resorted to due to low turnover and lack of funds in order to compete with large companies
Quality is 50/50 accordingly

Category C
Items purchased through advertisements, ebay, stolen, avito, etc., etc.
Such phones can be re-soldered several times, recessed or repaired.
Such goods are restored very quickly, cheaply and cheerfully. If something is broken, they solder it again, the frame is not changed but repaired, the touchpad is replaced with the cheapest one, the back panel too, the boxes don’t look like boxes at all. Such goods are sold mainly at the Savelovsky market in Moscow.
I personally went and saw how almost every second person sells referrals in this category. When I picked up one of these phones, what immediately caught my eye was the scratched headphone jack and the dirty, scratched charging socket. The phone was also locked. And with the first update he would have turned into a Brick.

Let's summarize:
Category A+: a little expensive, although it comes with an official guarantee, it still does not apply to Russia.
You can buy it here: AT&T

Category B C D: I don’t recommend taking them, sellers pass them off as category A, but in reality it’s not like that. It’s better to buy a Nokia for 800 rubles with a flashlight than a pig in a poke!
can be purchased here: http://chinmobilephones.ru
and here: http://www.maritalia.ru
and here: http://samphone.ru/
And also at the Savelovsky market, Gorbushka, Mitino and Tsaritsino.
By the way, in the markets they sell a little more expensive than on the Internet. And so the prices are approximately the same for everyone, with the exception of category A+

Happy choosing and shopping everyone!

Or consider refurbished models. In English they are called refurbished, CPO (Certified Pre-owned), other options are “like new”, “ref”.

What it is?

These are used devices that have been repaired (if necessary), placed in new cases (look like new), in new packaging with a new set of accessories. With a guarantee!

It seems that buying this option is safer than buying it by hand. But there are many nuances:

Photo - OLX

Who restores phones?

The manufacturer itself or unknown who (private service centers, Chinese sellers, etc.). Among major manufacturers, only Apple officially sells refurbished phones. This is not surprising: iPhones are expensive, and an “almost like new” iPhone at a reasonable price is a tasty morsel for Apple lovers. Last year Samsung decided to follow in the footsteps of Apple, but their refurbished pipes are not yet supplied to Russia.

Photo - cultofmobile

An officially restored iPhone 6S 16GB can now be bought in communication stores for 22 thousand rubles. At the same time, new ones are available in dubious online stores for at least 25 thousand, in reputable ones - for 33-34 thousand. The iPhone 7 model already costs almost 40 thousand rubles. The difference for those who want to save money is serious.
Refurbished iPhone 7s went on sale only last month and have not yet reached Russia. In the US, refurbished “sevens” are offered for $499 (32GB version), $50 cheaper than the same new ones.

Photo - BGR

Where do the recovery tubes come from?

They are returned by users:

Due to breakdowns: often the smartphone is replaced with a new one, and the returned one is restored and resold;

If you don’t like something: in Western countries there are no problems with returning equipment; -Under the trade-in program: for returning your old device you receive a discount on the purchase of a new one.

If the phone is in excellent condition, and the breakdown was trivial (not the motherboard burned out, but, for example, only the camera module needed to be replaced), then there is no point in sending it for recycling. Can be repaired, restored and sold.
Officially refurbished Apple phones have a one-year warranty (the same as new ones), look like new, and receive a new serial number. During the renovation, they receive new displays and batteries.
After the factory restoration procedure, the phones undergo exactly the same testing as new models. In general, Apple's recovery can be trusted 100%.

Photo - Patently Apple

How to distinguish a refurbished iPhone from a new one?

Check the model number on the package. In the refurbished version it starts with F.

Photo - itc.ua

How to avoid becoming a victim of divorce?

Buy refurbished iPhones from certified sellers. Among them are Yulmart, Svyaznoy, MediaMarkt, Citylink, Eldorado, M.Video, Svyaznoy, Megafon, MTS.
Otherwise, there is a high chance that you will be deceived. iPhones are selling out quickly, and unscrupulous people want to make money off of it. It happens that used devices are packaged in films and passed off as new. Or old phones with a bad history (broken, smashed, drowned) have their cases and screens “handicraft” changed and sold under the guise of officially refurbished ones.

Briefly about what to pay attention to:

The packaging of refurbished iPhones is different from that of new ones: it simply says the model name and “Apple Certified Pre-Owned” at the bottom;

Photo - Apple

Officially refurbished iPhones are not sold without packaging or open;

The serial number of the phone (“Settings” → “General” → “About device”) must match that indicated on the box;

Punch the serial number in the Apple service checkcoverage.apple.com- it will indicate what kind of phone you have and how long its warranty lasts.

Well, in conclusion, once again: do not buy a refurbished iPhone from private individuals or from unreliable online stores.

Restoration by third parties and companies

In Russia, only refurbished Apple smartphones are officially available. Samsung also sells refurbished models, but so far only in the US. On foreign trading platforms (eBay, Amazon, AliExpress), on classifieds websites and in various online stores, you can find refurbished pipes of any brand. Including attractive flagship models of previous generations - Samsung Galaxy S7 and S8, LG G6, HTC 10, Sony Xperia XZ and XZ1. In foreign stores they usually write about them “Seller Refurbished” (restored by the seller).

For example, on AliExpress the Galaxy S7 is offered for 16-17 thousand rubles, while a new one in Russia costs 25-28 thousand.

Is it worth buying?

This is a lottery with an unpredictable ending. There are two types of companies that refurbish and sell phones:

Large sellers who specialize in this. They have extensive experience and many positive reviews. They use original parts and offer a long warranty. The same may apply to serious SCs. In the USA, refurbished electronics are also found in large chains such as Best Buy. But we are not in the USA.

Individuals and small companies. If you find a website of a Russian service center that talks about good quality and a professional approach - who knows what it really is? The same applies to Chinese sellers. They usually purchase large quantities of “discarded” tubes in America - severely damaged, beyond repair, and handed over under warranty. All this is disassembled piece by piece and the parts are “riveted” into new phones, which are placed in new cases, films are glued on and packed into fresh boxes.

The accessories are also new, but of course they cannot be official. If any spare parts need to be replaced, non-original components are used. The buildings are also “left-handed”.

At the same time, you don’t know who used the phone before you and how long, why the device was returned to the store and how it got repaired. You don't know who repaired it or how well he did it. You don’t know what checks the restored device went through - or whether it went through them at all. You don’t know what condition its motherboard is in, and whether the battery is alive. You don't know how long it will work. Such sellers sometimes give a guarantee, but it rarely exceeds 2-3 months.

The Chinese workshop is in full swing. Source - YouTube

Of course, there are happy cases. After all, there are many sellers who deserve trust. You can find recommendations online, but I won’t recommend anyone in particular. And among the restored ones there are many phones that had minor damage, and they were well repaired. It is likely that they will last for more than one year, and you will save a lot. But it is also likely that you will be unlucky and the tube will fail in a couple of months. Whether the savings are worth it is up to you to decide. Overall, in my opinion, the risk is about the same as when buying used.