Should I buy a refurbished smartphone? Is it worth buying? Refurbished iPhone: reviews of the devices and is it worth buying

Every person wants to have a decent smartphone, but not everyone can afford it. However, don’t despair. Some people prefer to buy smartphones that have already been used before. However, there is such a thing as a refurbished phone. There are quite a lot of such devices, and their cost is much less than the original ones.

What device is called refurbished?

Sometimes buyers return the purchased phone within two weeks. The reasons for such an action can be objective and subjective. The first includes the presence of defects, and the second includes a design that you don’t like, problematic characteristics, and so on. Therefore, when talking about what a refurbished phone means, it should be noted that these are the devices that are called that way.

Sometimes those smartphones that were deformed or lost their functionality and were subsequently restored in the factory workshop are included in this category. In this case, spare parts are used only from the manufacturer, and repairs are carried out in special service centers. Such devices can be called refurbished.

How to distinguish a refurbished device from a new one?

It should be noted that it is externally impossible to distinguish a refurbished device from a new one, since they are completely identical. Therefore, when purchasing, you need to pay attention to some nuances:

The word “refurbished” will be written on the box of the device.
You need to check the IMEI on the manufacturer's website, it will not be activated.
Where the IMEI, production address and barcode are indicated on the box, the full name of the device will be indicated. If the additional letters RFB are indicated, then this is a refurbished phone.
It is advisable to double-check the serial number of the phone and the packaging in which it is sold.

You should pay attention to the price. As a rule, the discount on later models of devices can be a large sum. Therefore, the advantage of such a purchase is obvious. However, important note: the purchase must be made only in official stores so as not to purchase Chinese fake.

Reviews and warranty

Reviews of refurbished Samsung, Apple and other phones are quite positive. The devices do not differ in appearance from the new models, but are in no way inferior in functionality. This is due to the fact that the restoration process is carried out by the manufacturer itself.

After reassembling the device, the warranty is issued again. It lasts a year or two depending on the model and manufacturer. This is a separate advantage.

Equipment

Having understood what a refurbished phone means, it is important to understand what it comes with. Most manufacturers have a complete set. If the original new model included a headset, charger, cable for connecting to a computer, warranty documents and instructions for using the phone, then the restored version will also have such a set.

Is it worth purchasing?

Many people are interested in whether such a purchase is worth the money. What a refurbished phone means is already described in the article, so you should pay attention to the subtleties of the issue. Some devices are manufactured with certain defects, which are eliminated at the factory after the phone reaches the shelves. Such a phone will already be considered refurbished, so it will cost less. So no need to count similar smartphone used or something like that.

On this moment V Russian Federation There are quite a few stores that sell such devices. However, sales of refurbished phones are successfully practiced abroad. In order not to burn out on a purchase, you need to monitor the buyer's rating.

Telephone? This is a smartphone that has been repaired after being purchased by someone and put back into the store at good condition. The packaging that comes with the device always says who restored the gadget. You need to choose the device that has the Manufacturer Refurbished signature. It is these devices that are restored in the factories of the original manufacturers, which means they can guarantee the quality of all materials used. Refurbished iPhone phones are quite popular at the moment. What does it mean? The fact that many buyers are more profitable to buy a refurbished device than to shell out money for a new device.

Sometimes the boxes have another inscription: Seller refurbished. This suggests that the phone was restored by the seller himself. Therefore, no one guarantees quality. You need to be extremely careful because similar devices They are even sold on large online platforms.

It is worth paying attention to what is currently available a large number of scammers. Wondering if the phone can be restored, they do all the work manually using Chinese parts, and then sell the devices at high price. Some sellers even buy lots of refurbished appliances and sell them as new. We should not forget that officially refurbished phones are provided with a long-term warranty, so it is more profitable to buy from trusted sellers.

Buying a refurbished iPhone: how to check?

Verification can be done through the company's website and through iTunes. Let's consider both methods:

Website. You need to look at the serial number on your smartphone. You need to use data specifically from the information in the phone, and not from the box. Next, go to the website in the “Checking eligibility for support” tab. In the page that opens, you need to enter the code and click “Continue.” If the device is activated, it means it is not restored.
iTunes. A popular scam scheme: a fake one sewn into unofficial firmware. You should run the program, connect the phone to the PC and wait until it is completely synchronized. Next, you need to click on the smartphone icon and see its characteristics. Serial number must match.

How to use?

Refurbished phones work just like new ones. Therefore no important nuances and there are no rules for use. All phones, both new and refurbished, must be treated with care and not dropped. We must not forget about the viruses that exist on the Internet.

Hi all! The article will discuss the so-called official restoration, for such devices in stores the phrase “like new” is added to the model name. And immediately the answer to main question- is it worth buying such an iPhone? The correct answer is yes, and you need to do it if you want to save a fairly decent amount of money. All those who were thinking about only one thing - whether to buy it or not, can already run to the store for a brand new phone and have no doubt about the correctness of their choice.

And for those readers who want to know a little more about the company’s Refurbished Apple smartphones I invite you to read this article (which, by the way, is constantly updated - the author is trying his best :)). Sit back, I hope it will be interesting.

What is a “like new” iPhone and where does it come from?

In short, these are former iPhone use(no need to rush and say - “What!? This is used!”), who have gone approximately this way:

A person buys a new iPhone – no matter what size memory or color.
The phone is found to be defective (speaker, charging connector, etc.)
He contacts the service center under warranty and if the defect is “factory”, he receives a new device ( Interesting fact! The buyer receives in return exactly the phone described we're talking about in the article - restored).
The “broken” gadget is sent to the Apple factory, where defective parts are repaired and replaced, packed in a new box along with new headphones and a charger, and sent for sale under called iPhone"like New".

Buying this device, you get a completely new iPhone, because it definitely changes:

Display case and glass.
Connectors and cables.
The battery is being replaced.
Plus, the defect with which he entered into marriage is corrected.

Essentially, all that remains is the motherboard and some components (for example Wi-Fi module, cameras, cables, etc.) which were tested again and did not cause any complaints in operation. Naturally, all these manipulations take place exactly at the same Apple plant.

Now I think it’s clear that there’s no talk of any second-hand use, in the familiar understanding of this word to you and me, and there’s no catch here. iPhone “like new” is a truly new (straight from the factory) device.

What models are currently sold in Russia and what about the warranty?

At the moment, only refurbished iPhone 5S 16 GB are officially sold in the Russian Federation. Even if in the past it was a model with 32 or 64 gigabytes, then during the restoration process at the Apple factory, the free space is software limited to 16 GB. Important! Please note that there are no other officially refurbished models - only iPhone 5S 16GB (can be any color), if you are assured otherwise, this is a blatant deception.

Updated! As I was rightly corrected in the comments (thanks to readers “IvanYch” and Natalya), the iPhone 5S 32GB and 64GB were indeed restored. But apparently it was such a small batch that it passed me by :)

Of course, if the situation changes in the future, I will change this article, but for now this is only one model.

Updated #2! Since this article was written, changes have indeed occurred and now Apple is offering Russian customers the opportunity to purchase an officially refurbished iPhone 6. However, the cost of a “like new” Apple phone of the 6th model, at the time of launch, is only slightly different (2000 - 3000 rubles) and is less than completely new. Therefore, a “restored” 6 is not yet a great buy (solely because of the price).

Updated #3!

This is how the article turned out - we have to constantly update it. But nothing can be done, you need to keep the information up to date. So, at the moment (1st quarter of 2018) in Russia they are officially sold (sold) following models refurbished iPhones:

iPhone 5S.
iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus.
iPhone 6S.

Please note that in in this case This means deliveries to large authorized resellers - all these “like new” iPhones are certified by Rostest and have a year () factory warranty at Apple service centers.

But! The following iPhone Refurbished are also available for sale on the American Apple website:

iPhone 6S Plus 32GB.
iPhone 7 32, 128 and 256GB.
iPhone 7 Plus 32, 128 and 256GB.

This means there is hope that Apple will soon begin officially selling these models in the Russian Federation. It would be great!

Updated #4!

All hopes came true. At the moment (late 2018 - early 2019), the following refurbished iPhone models are officially sold in Russia:

iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus.
iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus.
iPhone SE.
iPhone X

The amount of memory can be very different: from 16 GB to 256 GB.

The Eights, by the way, have not yet been delivered. However, it seems to me that this is a temporary phenomenon - they will appear soon.

Regarding the warranty - everything is simple here, since the device is new, then so is it. Without any pitfalls and restoration clauses.

How to distinguish a refurbished iPhone from a new one?

Externally - almost nothing, because these are two almost identical devices. Therefore, to avoid being sold a refurbished one under the guise of a new one, you should pay attention to the following details:

Now I think you are confident that you can buy such devices. And considering the difference in price (up to 10,000 rubles), compared to a completely new one - it’s also necessary! The only remark is that it is better to do this with official representatives Apple(such as messenger, m.video, etc.).

In my opinion, Apple offers an excellent alternative for those who want to save “a little” and get the desired device. It’s a pity that not many models are currently participating in this celebration of life.

Updated! In the comments, questions are often asked: “where to buy refurbished iPhones and where not?” and, most importantly, “how to buy cheaper”? To avoid writing the same thing over and over again, here is the answer:

It is worth buying in trusted stores: Beeline, MTS, M.Video, etc. Why? Because I need it official guarantee. Without her - nowhere.
When purchasing at all of these establishments (and many others), you can save money.

We register on the website, look where it’s cheaper, buy and get part of the money back (!!!). I won’t lie, you won’t be able to get half the price back. But on useful accessories There will always be enough - a glass or a case “for free” will obviously not be superfluous.

P.S. Do you want to be able to buy different Apple technology"like new"? Give it a like!

Any buyer wants to become the owner of a decent smartphone, but not everyone has enough money to purchase the flagship version. But you shouldn’t despair at all, you just need to understand some of the concepts that the consumer encounters in the store. What is a new or used phone - everything seems to be clear with this. But with the concept "refurbished phone" It's worth looking into it in more detail. After all, here you can play not only with the brand, but also with the price of the device.

A refurbished phone, according to experts, is called mobile device, purchased from shopping services, but which was returned within two weeks. Reasons for returning can be either objective (presence of defects or various technical deficiencies), and subjective reasons (didn’t like the design, functional indicators didn’t fit, video cameras had the wrong characteristics, couldn’t master new gadget and so on.).

Sometimes the category of refurbished phones in our country includes smartphones that have completely or partially lost their functionality - due to falling into water, the display is cracked. Having undergone phone repair in a workshop (and spare parts from the manufacturer), such devices can also be partially considered refurbished.

Return for subjective reasons

New models, especially flagship ones from Sony or Apple (Sony Xperia XA1 or iPhone 7, etc.) rarely have serious flaws, due to which the buyer can return the goods with a receipt to the seller. But in any case, when you need to return the gadget to the store, the packaging has already been opened and the phone is no longer new. In this case, the seller himself is responsible for restoring the presentation, trying to make the product attractive. But in any case, this is no longer new product, but restored, and therefore the price for it falls (as is customary in European countries and USA, marked “Seller refurbished”, i.e. seller changes). In addition, the choice of a buyer who is planning to buy a refurbished phone is also influenced by such an indicator as the rating of the seller himself or his company. When you see such a smartphone on a familiar counter, you shouldn’t turn away and consider it “washed.” A brand new flagship at a reduced price – something you can only dream about!

Return due to defect

An example of a return due to marriage was the return of the sensational Samsung Galaxy Note7, whose batteries began to explode. Although this is not a stable indicator, there is an obvious defect that requires the intervention of the manufacturer. Therefore, sellers, having accepted the returned product, send it to the factory, where appropriate adjustments are made. Such changes may include: replacing the battery with another modification, flashing motherboard, installation additional elements or expansion of existing characteristics and much more. On a product that comes again from the manufacturer’s factory, another label appears - “Refurbished by Manufacturer”, as a secondary release and intervention of the manufacturer.

Sometimes the goods do not even reach the buyer; the manufacturer immediately withdraws the entire batch from the warehouse - a working or cosmetic defect has been discovered. After returning the product has a different value. The manufacturer undertakes to replace all mobile phones of this batch that were previously sold free of charge.

Conclusion

The sale, and, consequently, the purchase of a phone refurbished according to all the rules in Russia is quite rare. But when traveling abroad, you should pay attention to the above designations, because the consumer may end up with the most advanced smartphone with a big discount on the price. Do not neglect the advice of your friends who know the seller and guarantee quality.

The Aliexpress online store provides the opportunity to purchase different kinds goods by affordable prices. On the site you can purchase a phone from the simplest model to the newest products on the market. On trading platform There are many refurbished phones available. How do you know if a phone has been repaired and its quality? We will talk about this and more in this article.

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What does a refurbished (refurbished) phone mean on Aliexpress?

The low cost of phones on Aliexpress is often due to the fact that they have been refurbished. True, not all phones are like this, there are also new models. So, a refurbished phone is not a counterfeit product, it is simply repaired by the seller to working condition. They usually repair phones that are returned by customers with broken screens, faulty speakers, and other problems. There are a lot of spare parts in China and the repair process is streamlined. The restored model is no different from its new counterpart.
Purchasing refurbished phones comes with the following risks:

receive a faulty device;
encounter a dishonest seller;
The order may not reach the recipient at all due to the delivery service.

How do you know if your phone has been restored or has been repaired?

As already mentioned, it is almost impossible to externally distinguish the restored model from others. When placing an order for such a model, you must adhere to the following rules:

Carefully review the product description, where the Refurbished mark will appear.
Please indicate specific model smartphone. This is very important if there are several models on the market, otherwise the seller will send you the phone at his discretion.
Select and specify the body color.
Write the region for which you are ordering the product.

There is a lot on the site unscrupulous sellers, who may send a fake instead of a working model. Check all fields carefully, otherwise you may lose in a dispute situation.

How to find out the reliability of a seller on Aliexpress.

First, carefully read customer reviews of the product received from different sellers. People will not be deceived; if the seller sent a bad product, they will immediately report it.
You can check the seller on the website using a special service on the Aliexpress website. The main parameters of the test are:

quantity of goods sold;
percentage of good reviews.

Reliable ones include those with a percentage of 90% and more than 500 reviews. Also in the seller information field there are special designations, which speak about its level.
There are several other parameters that distinguish bona fide sellers:

communication skills;
efficiency of sending parcels;
product description;
quantity of goods sold per quarter;
working time on site.

To obtain comprehensive information about the seller, there is special application, called Aliexpress Seller Check. With its help, the check is carried out automatically and provides all available data about the person being checked. They can be easily downloaded from the Internet and installed on your computer or smartphone.
Of course sellers similar phones there is enough on Aliexpress, but three representatives have won public recognition:

HK-UNIQUE COMPANY - http://ru.aliexpress.com/store/603716;
First-Link - http://ru.aliexpress.com/store/112870;
NONSTOP - Original Brand Mobile Phone.

You can purchase goods from them without fear of being scammed.

warranty for refurbished (repaired) phones on Aliexpress

Of course, the seller gives a guarantee to the buyer for the goods he purchases. True, it is not very big, only a few months. It's also worth noting that this is a lottery. Who's lucky? A purchased phone can work for a long time and make its owner happy, but it can break down in a couple of days. Then you will have to contact the seller and negotiate a return or replacement of the product. Be sure to check the seller based on customer reviews and special services. A restored phone will not function for long; it is unknown what hidden defects it still has. IN best case scenario he will work for some time and refuse, or they may send him completely faulty phone. And in such a situation, you will have to resolve this situation with a seller who may promise a lot and deliver nothing. It is worth thinking carefully before buying such a model.

Pros and cons of buying a refurbished phone.

Refurbished phones have both positive and negative sides, it all depends on who did the repairs. Often faulty models sent for repair under warranty to the manufacturer. But, there are cases when they are restored in inappropriate conditions.

Pros of refurbished phones:

Low price;
Phone warranty.

We can say that on this good qualities are ending.

The disadvantages should also be noted:

Short service life;
Use of low quality parts.

Before buying such a phone, you need to think and weigh the pros and cons. Certainly low price makes them more attractive compared to models from stores, but guarantee long work no seller can.

return of low-quality goods

Is it possible to return non-working phone to the seller on Aliexpress? Of course yes. There is no time to waste on this. After detecting a product malfunction, you must open standard procedure spore. Fill out all fields of the form and be sure to indicate your complaints to the seller. It would be a good idea to confirm your words with photographs and attach them to the complaint. Wait for the seller's response and his proposals to solve this problem. If the seller does not respond to the complaint, contact the Aliexpress administration and ask for help to resolve the conflict. If you haven't lost time, the truth will be on your side. The seller will be required to return the money or exchange the goods.

Quality of refurbished phones on Aliexpress customer reviews

Customer reviews can be very helpful before making a purchase. They may indicate nuances that you need to pay attention to when choosing a product. You can also use them to find out the seller with whom you can make a transaction and with whom you should not.

Review of Lenovo phone A820.
I decided to treat myself to a new product and ordered a phone on Aliexpress. I was waiting for the parcel with excitement; there was still a risk of receiving a “brick” in the package. The package arrived and I exhaled, everything was just fine. The phone works and I was very pleased that it is Russified. Lenovo screen The A820 is simply super, big, bright and responsive to touch. The sound is also excellent, both in headphones and external. Separately, it is necessary to note the smartphone camera. It takes excellent photos, the photos are clear and bright.
I recommend this model to anyone who wants good phone With minimal costs. Buy it, you won't regret it.
Review of Samsung phone Galaxy S5.
I gave my wife this device in gold color for her birthday. The wide range of body colors is pleasing; everyone will be able to choose the phone for themselves. Big and bright screen excellent 16 megapixel camera does very nice pictures, the truth is she misses optical stabilization. Loud and clear sound, fast work Freeze-free and light weight are undeniable advantages models. But in this barrel of honey there is a small fly in the ointment. A few disadvantages include:

lack of radio;
when talking, you have to turn down the volume so that others don’t hear the conversation;
many unnecessary applications;
rather weak battery.

But this doesn't affect general impression about Galaxy S5. The smartphone is simply excellent, buy it and use it. It is perfect for lovers of photographs, they turn out great High Quality, and music lovers will be pleased with the sound. In general, my wife is jumping with happiness, and I am thinking about purchasing such a phone for myself.
This article provides information about refurbished phones, their pros and cons.

Using these tips, you can check the seller and, if necessary, return the faulty product. Buying a refurbished smartphone in any case is accompanied by risk. Only you can decide whether to order it from China or not. Enjoy the shopping.

What device is called refurbished?

How to distinguish a refurbished device from a new one?

The word “refurbished” will be written on the box of the device.
You need to check the IMEI on the manufacturer's website, it will not be activated.
Where the IMEI, production address and barcode are indicated on the box, the full name of the device will be indicated. If the additional letters RFB are indicated, then this is a refurbished phone.
It is advisable to double-check the serial number of the phone and the packaging in which it is sold.

You should pay attention to the price. As a rule, the discount on later models of devices can amount to a large amount. Therefore, the advantage of such a purchase is obvious. However, an important note: purchases should only be made in official stores so as not to purchase a Chinese counterfeit.

Reviews and warranty

After reassembling the device, the warranty is issued again. It lasts a year or two depending on the model and manufacturer. This is a separate advantage.

Equipment

Is it worth purchasing?

Many people are interested in whether such a purchase is worth the money. What a refurbished phone means is already described in the article, so you should pay attention to the subtleties of the issue. Some devices are manufactured with certain defects, which are eliminated at the factory after the phone reaches the shelves. Such a phone will already be considered refurbished, so it will cost less. Therefore, there is no need to consider such a smartphone used or anything like that.

At the moment, there are quite a few stores in the Russian Federation that sell such devices. However, sales of refurbished phones are successfully practiced abroad. In order not to burn out on a purchase, you need to monitor the buyer's rating.

What does a refurbished phone mean? This is a smartphone that has been repaired after being purchased by someone and brought back to the store in good condition. The packaging that comes with the device always says who restored the gadget. You need to choose the device that has the Manufacturer Refurbished signature. It is these devices that are restored in the factories of the original manufacturers, which means they can guarantee the quality of all materials used. Refurbished iPhone phones are quite popular at the moment. What does it mean? The fact that many buyers are more profitable to buy a refurbished device than to shell out money for a new device.

Sometimes the boxes have another inscription: Seller refurbished. This suggests that the phone was restored by the seller himself. Therefore, no one guarantees quality. You need to be extremely careful, since such devices are sold even on large Internet sites.

You should pay attention to the fact that there are now a large number of scammers. Wondering if the phone can be restored, they do all the work manually using Chinese parts, and then sell the devices at a high price. Some sellers even buy lots of refurbished appliances and sell them as new. We should not forget that officially refurbished phones are provided with a long-term warranty, so it is more profitable to buy from trusted sellers.

Buying a refurbished iPhone: how to check?

Verification can be done through the company's website and through iTunes. Let's consider both methods:

Website. You need to look at the serial number on your smartphone. You need to use data specifically from the information in the phone, and not from the box. Next, go to the website in the “Checking eligibility for support” tab. In the page that opens, you need to enter the code and click “Continue.” If the device is activated, it means it is not restored.
iTunes. A popular scam scheme: a fake serial number embedded in unofficial firmware. You should run the program, connect the phone to the PC and wait until it is completely synchronized. Next, you need to click on the smartphone icon and see its characteristics. The serial number must match.

How to use?

Refurbished phones work just like new ones. Therefore, there are no important nuances or rules for operation. All phones, both new and refurbished, must be treated with care and not dropped. We must not forget about the viruses that exist on the Internet.