Over the last few years, we have seen a surge in people opting for refurbished phones as a sustainable alternative, with a report from UK-based price comparison website uSwitch last year revealing that over 22 million mobile users in the UK would consider buying refurbished over new.

Since then, this appetite for second hand has grown, with the used smartphone market forecasted to reach 332.9 million units this year.

So, what is a refurbished phone, and what does this mean for the future of sustainable tech?

A refurbished phone is a mobile which has been traded in by a former user, tested on by certified technicians, then sold on as a fully working device in its most optimised condition.

This doesn’t necessarily mean that there was a fault with the phone, as it could be a case where a customer has cancelled their phone contract prematurely with their network provider and sent back their device. This can then be repurposed as a refurbished phone, with little signs of use.

Refurbished mobiles are awarded a ‘grade’ which represents their physical condition. This can vary depending on the retailer, but it can usually be broken down to 3 categories:

Pristine – good as new, without any blemishes or signs of damage.

Excellent – usually pre-owned for longer with a battery power slightly more used, or small blemishes, but otherwise near perfect.

Good – may show signs of scratches or wear and tear, but the device functions as normal.

So, let’s get into the reasons why more and more people are choosing this mobile option…

1. Cheaper and cost-effective

Another comparison website similar to uSwitch, Compare and Recycle, suggests people can save up to 50% when choosing refurbished mobiles.

That is a huge amount of savings, equating to hundreds of pounds. This is usually a priority for phone buyers when searching for a new phone, as people are looking to save on considerably large spendings and these long-term investments.

Mobile News commented on this topic, noting that these price comparison experts estimate that Brits could save up to £2bn by choosing second hand.

2. Environmentally friendly

Buying refurbished directly contributes to sustainability and protecting the planet from unnecessary eWaste. Working towards building a circular economy and reusing devices to their best capabilities saves on landfill dumping and the rising demand for raw materials, which then negatively contributes to biodiversity loss and global warming.

3. Quality and 12-month warranty

By choosing refurbished over second hand or used, you know you’re getting a device which has been professionally quality checked and tested, and usually retailers will sell these phones with a 12-month warranty covering you if any problems present themselves. This is key to look out for when choosing your refurbished device.

Talk to us today about getting your refurbished device connected, we’re here to help: https://www.uplands.co.uk/contact-us/