Buying a refurbished phone: what you should know

Retailers use many labels, and not consistently. “Refurbished” (German: generalüberholt) means a specialist company has tested the device, reset it to factory settings, cleaned it and repaired it if necessary – for example with a new battery or display. “Used”, by contrast, only means the device has been used before; no reconditioning is promised. “B-Ware” or “Retoure” (open-box or returned goods) are usually returns that have been used little or not at all, but whose packaging has been opened.

The term “refurbished” is not legally protected. How thoroughly a device has been tested depends on the provider. Reputable retailers describe their testing process, state the number of functions tested and often offer their own guarantee in addition to the statutory warranty.

Almost all providers sort devices into cosmetic condition grades. The names differ, but the principle is the same: the grade describes scratches and signs of use, while the device should be fully functional in every grade.

Lithium-ion batteries lose some capacity with every charge cycle. On a phone that is several years old, battery life can therefore be noticeably shorter than on a new one. Good retailers state a minimum capacity – often 80% or more – or replace the battery below that threshold. Some also explicitly sell devices with a new battery.

On an iPhone, you can see the battery condition under Settings › Battery › Battery Health. On many Android devices, you will find similar information in the battery care settings or via the manufacturer’s service app. Check the value right after purchase and complain within the withdrawal period if it is below the promised threshold.

A cheap device is only a good deal if it still receives security updates for a few years. iPhones look good here: iOS 26 still supports the iPhone 11. But if you want peace of mind for as long as possible, go for a newer model, for example from the iPhone 13 onwards. On Android, commitments vary widely by manufacturer and model. Pixel devices from the Pixel 8 and Galaxy S models from the S24 generation have very long commitments, while older mid-range devices are sometimes already at the end of their support.

Before buying, check on the manufacturer’s website until when the model will get updates. As a rule of thumb, there should be at least two, preferably three more years of security updates left.

You will find refurbished smartphones at specialist refurbishers, on marketplaces such as eBay or Amazon and sometimes directly from manufacturers and mobile providers. On eBay, commercial sellers label their devices with condition grades such as “Excellent – Refurbished”, “Very good – Refurbished” or “Good – Refurbished”. Amazon sells refurbished goods through its own programme. Large refurbished platforms work with many refurbishers and set minimum standards for testing and guarantees.

Wherever you buy: what matters is that there is a commercial seller with a legal notice (Impressum) and a registered office in the EU behind the offer. Look for clear information on condition, battery, contents and guarantee. Prices far below the usual market level, missing condition details or photos showing only the manufacturer’s promotional images are warning signs.

If you buy from a commercial seller, the statutory warranty (Gewährleistung under German law) applies. For new goods, it lasts two years. For used goods – which includes refurbished devices – the seller may shorten it to one year, but must agree this expressly and separately. In the first year, it is also presumed that a defect that appears was already present at the time of purchase. When buying online, you also have a 14-day right of withdrawal and can return the device without giving a reason.

Many refurbished providers also offer a voluntary guarantee (Garantie) of 12 to 36 months. Read the terms: battery and drop damage are often excluded. If, on the other hand, you buy privately, for example via classified ads or a private auction, the statutory warranty can be excluded completely. That is the biggest difference and the most important reason to buy refurbished from a retailer.

Refurbished devices usually come in neutral packaging rather than the original box. A charging cable is often included, a charger frequently not – just like with many new devices. Headphones, a SIM tool or a case may or may not be included, depending on the retailer. So read the details on the box contents, so you are not left with a device without a suitable charging cable.

Important when it comes to spare parts: some retailers repair with the manufacturer’s original parts, others with third-party parts. On an iPhone, the system shows in the settings whether the display, battery or camera, for example, has been replaced and whether they are genuine parts. This is not automatically a problem, but it can affect colour reproduction, brightness or features such as True Tone. Reputable providers point this out.

You set up a refurbished device just like a new one: on an iPhone, you transfer your data via Quick Start or an iCloud backup; on Android, via your Google account or the manufacturer’s transfer app. You can then sell your previous smartphone yourself or trade it in with many refurbished retailers. Beforehand, reset it completely to factory settings, sign out of your Apple ID or Google account and remove the SIM and memory cards. That way, the next owner can use the device without a lock and your data stays protected.

Tip: compare the trade-in prices of several providers with what you would get selling on a marketplace. Selling directly often brings more but takes time for photos, a description and shipping. Trading in is more convenient and especially worthwhile for older devices with a low residual value.

After unpacking, take half an hour to check all the important functions while the withdrawal period and warranty are still fresh. Defects are easiest to claim then.

Many disappointments can be avoided if you look beyond the price. The following mistakes are particularly common.