Everything you need to know about refurbished phones [SPONSORED]

Mobile technology is booming and I mean it’s really booming! It seems like everyone, young and old, has a mobile device of some kind these days. What’s more is they’re not some cheap, run-of-the-mill phone either, they are highly sophisticated pieces of technology. Being accessible at all times of the day and night through phone calls, SMS and the myriad of social network options has become the norm for most of us. Having the internet at our finger-tips has become something that people expect. However, all this technology doesn’t come cheap. The good news is that you can still get a great mobile phone without paying the price for a brand new model.

A cheaper alternative to a brand new phone

Refurbished phones are becoming a very popular option for people, especially given that the economy’s not where it once was. Having a cheaper alternative is a fantastic way for people to stay up to date with the latest technology without breaking the bank. A lot of big companies are offering refurbished phones such as Vodafone and Play.com, and Mobile by Sainsbury’s. With great deals, they make a great choice for those looking to upgrade without having to fork out for the high price tags of the brand new options.

Rigorously tested

The term refurbished may put some people off as they think that there must be something wrong with the item. However, nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, a refurbished phone, many argue, has been tested more thoroughly than a new phone. It has first gone through the original testing which every phone goes through and then, after being returned, is tested again to ensure quality. So you’re getting a phone with double the tests carried out for a cheaper price.

Huge collection of phones to choose from

On receiving a faulty phone, manufacturers will clean up the phone, fix any problems and repackage it for resale as a refurbished model. There’s a huge range of phones to choose from, including all the popular models such as Apple, Nokia and Google. You will have all your chargers, manuals, battery and all other extras included, just as you would with a new phone. In fact, the only real way to tell the difference is your refurbished phone will not be in the original packaging, instead it will be in a generic box. If the phone is going to be a gift, this might be something to consider but otherwise it’s really not a big deal.

Comes with a warranty

All refurbished phones come with a warranty. The warranty may be different depending on which retailer you get your device from, but generally 12 months is quite standard. It’s worth spending some time browsing through the major mobile retailers to get the best deals possible. However, don’t forget to contact the manufacturers directly too, especially if you’re looking for one of the trendier phones on the market. Apple doesn’t sell refurbed phones directly like the rest of its hardware but there are plenty of retailers who do, so there’s no shortage of deals to be had.

Refurbished phone, refreshed phone or reconditioned phone — whatever the term used, it means you are getting a great deal on your mobile device and who doesn’t want that?

Image: Helen Taylor via Flickr.