Why Are Refurbished Phones Popular among UK Consumers?

As you all know, refurbished phones account for a small fraction of industry sales. These devices can be a great deal, especially if you know what to look for. Refurbished smartphones continue to grow in popularity, with 60 percent of UK consumers considering purchasing said devices.

The United Kingdom has one of the biggest mobile phone markets in the world. Everyone always opt for better phones that can help in various aspects of life. It is due to this that people in the UK are going for pre-owned smartphones or second hand phones UK.

What makes the refurbished phones popular among the consumers in the UK?

With the desire to upgrade their devices, people are now smart and aware of prioritizing their needs when it comes to choosing what mobile phones they should purchase. Everyone is more conscious of the high prices of the latest smartphones.

So, what makes refurbished phones popular among the constituents of the UK? Before jumping to the reasons why these devices have become popular, let's get to know first what refurbished phones are.

Refurbished phones are mobile devices that undergo quality tests and bring back up to the best possible working order. (Photo credit: c.files.bbci.co.uk)

Refurbished phones, also referred as pre-owned phones or second hand phones, are mobile devices that have been sold or traded-in to a company that then runs quality tests and brings it back up to the best possible working order.

Mobile phones that were refurbished usually have their battery replaced or their cracked screen repaired. They are also graded based on appearance, with those that have medium to heavy signs of wear priced the cheapest. Phones with light signs of wear like minor scuffs, ranked as good, will cost a little more and those that are excellent and like-new will be most expensive.

There are multiple factors that contribute towards the popularity of refurbished phones in UK.

• High prices of new smartphones. Did you know that Apple has the biggest market share in the UK when it comes to the smartphone industry? And everyone knows how expensive iPhones are. The reason why they are costly is because Apple has its own customized hardware and software. Apple integrates its own iOS in iPhone to best complement its own engineered hardware. Apple iPhones are not the only mobile phones that are expensive. Samsung, Huawei and other mobile phone brands are selling high-cost mobile devices. If you are looking to purchase an Apple iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy device, the best option for you is to get it refurbished rather than a brand new. Other than the price difference, you won't be able to tell a reconditioned phone from a brand new one in most cases once you find the best place to buy refurbished phones UK.

• Less innovation in new mobile phones. Smartphone brands, like Apple, are launching new mobile phones every year. However, you might notice that these phones are not worth it if you look at the innovation aspect. An example is the iPhone X which had almost the same features as iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. You can easily purchase old models of second hand phones UK at much lower price than the latest phones and at the same time you can enjoy the same features.

• Expensive accessories and parts. Believe it or not, the accessories for the latest mobile phones are also expensive. It is not just a one-time expense for buying the latest model, the list of expenses for that expensive phone goes on. Contrary to this, the accessories of the older models are comparatively cheaper and affordable. If you are thinking of purchasing refurbished phones UK from a reputable retailer or seller, such as the QwikFone, you will find that apart from getting the smartphones at affordable prices, you will also receive a free full set of the important accessories of the device. So, when you buy a refurbished mobile phone at QwikFone, you will get a brand new charger head, earphones, a lightning to USB cable, and a SIM ejector pin. You can be assured that these accessories are all manufactured according to strict and specific quality measures which ensure that the new accessories provide a performance level as good as the original accessories performance and lifetime.

• Refurbished phones are better for the environment. It is true that the longer you keep your mobile phone, the better for the environment. In fact, if you keep your phone for an extra year beyond the average two-and-a-bit, you will help in the reduction of its lifetime CO2 impact by a third. By opting for a refurbished phone, you are basically extending the product's lifespan. As such, you will be saving a properly functioning phone from ending up in the landfill. Going refurbished reduces the carbon emissions and resource demand associated with building a new phone.

What are the best refurbished phones you can buy in the UK?

The market for refurbished mobile phones is firmly on the rise. Factors that contribute to the rise include the growing residual value of mobile phones, wider options to trade-in or part-exchange existing phones and attractive SIM-only deals.

If you are planning on purchasing refurbished phones in UK, here are some of the things you need to consider.

• Make sure that the mobile phone supports the latest software. Generally, you want your phone to have the latest iOS or Android software installed for both performance and security reasons. You see, apps need to be adapted or optimized for the latest iOS or Android version. So, your favorite app or game may not play on a phone that does not support the latest software if they have not been updated in a while. That's why, before you do your purchase, you should check to ensure that the apps you use the most will still work on your new phone.

• Make sure the phone is not carrier locked. You should always check that the unit mentions being unlocked somewhere in the title or description to avoid any surprises. You should look for refurbished phones that are carrier unlocked or no carrier lock. Refurbished phones UK sold by QwikFone are unlocked. This means when you buy a refurbished phone from QwikFone, you will get a device that allows you to use your old SIM card and phone number without having to go through any additional steps with the service provider. You will also be able to travel with your refurbished mobile device without facing any restrictions regarding using local carriers in different countries.

• Check that the phone is not stolen. This will never be a problem when you buy your refurbished phones in UK from a reputable store or website. However, if you bought the device from a disreputable retailer, what you can do is to check the IMEI. The IMEI is a unique number stored on the smartphone that identifies it individually.

You should look for refurbished phones that are carrier unlocked or no carrier lock. (Photo credit: technobezz.com)

Are you searching for the best refurbished phones? The following are some of the mobile phones you can buy today.

• Apple iPhone 8. This is the smartphone that makes a lot of sense to buy refurbished. When you get a Certified Refurbished iPhone 8, you can be assured that you will see minimal to no signs of wear and absolutely no hidden damage. This mobile phone has a beautiful glass body with a color-matched, aerospace-grade aluminum band that still looks and feels irresistibly luxurious and solid. This allows the phone to be charged wirelessly and protects it from water and dust.

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Are you looking for a mobile phone with a larger size? The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the right one for you. This smartphone comes with a massive edge-to-edge display, as well as curved edges, which open up some additional functionality such as swipe up and access shortcuts. The Galaxy Note 9 also comes with the S-Pen, which is a stylus that enables you to take notes easier, create spreadsheets, and navigate your smartphone.

• Samsung Galaxy S9. This smartphone was called by tech reviewers as one of iPhone's biggest competitors. The Galaxy S9 has a dual-aperture camera capable of adapting to various lighting conditions just like the human eye. You can count on the Galaxy S9 to take a nice shot, be it a picturesque landscape or people at parties. This mobile device comes with the Snapdragon 845 chipset from Qualcomm, and offers XR-ready levels of performance, up to 1.2 Gbps peak download speeds, and Qualcomm Quick Charge 4+ technology.

• Apple iPhone SE. To begin with, the iPhone SE is a relatively affordable smartphone. However, when you opt for a refurbished model, you can pay less for this still competent and astonishingly pocketable device. The iPhone SE comes with a display that measures only four inches. This makes the smartphone considerably smaller than most mobile phones today. Despite its size, the iPhone SE features an excellent camera, a powerful chipset, and a fingerprint sensor.