Refurbished or recertified? What is the difference? Smartphones are becoming more affordable, so there is a lot of competition to offer the best value. But with smartphones getting cheaper, another category has emerged to offer users even more value for their money. The electronics industry calls this process Refurbishing, Recertified. It means that the previous model of a smartphone has been repaired and returned to working order at a reduced price.
The most manufacturers give new life to mobile phones that have worn out prematurely or have been discontinued. In most cases, these repackaged phones are only available through mail order and not in retail stores. So if you’re looking for a new smartphone under $200 (or less), read on! This article compiles everything you need to know about refurbished smartphones, from why they exist, to what they cost, to how you can buy them safely.
What is a refurbished mobile?
Refurbished electronic products are first or second hand products that have been returned to the manufacturer to be reconditioned, repaired and repackaged. The product is then made available to the public again. There are two types of refurbished electronics. The first type is a “gray market” product that was never meant to be sold again. Gray market products are usually old phones that the manufacturer stopped making. The second type is a “white market” product that has been returned to the manufacturer for warranty and repair purposes.
Why do smartphones have a recertification program?
As smartphones became more prevalent and accessible, it became important for manufacturers to maintain a constant supply of refurbished smartphones that work. The problem, however, is that there is no way to predict when a phone is going to fail. Manufacturers are also increasingly concerned about the impact of polluting heavy metals on the environment, so they want to make sure their products don’t go bad after being used by many people. In response, manufacturers are offering a program that allows them to recertify older smartphones and put them back in circulation. Since these are not new phones, there is no need to take new inventory, so manufacturers don’t have to worry about running out of stock or delaying the launch of new phones. And since the phones are refurbished and not new, the price is significantly lower than new models, so manufacturers can release more affordable phones.
Buy refurbished smartphones: Advantages and disadvantages
There are two advantages in the purchase of refurbished smartphones. The first is the price. As just mentioned, many smartphone manufacturers offer refurbished smartphones as a cheaper option than new ones. The second benefit of buying refurbished phones is longevity. As a used phone, your refurbished smartphone can last much longer than a new one. While new smartphones have a shelf life of two years, refurbished models can last for many years if used properly.
However, refurbished phones they have some drawbacks. The first drawback is that it is not known exactly what condition the phone is in. This is especially true of gray market phones, which weren’t meant to be sold again after being returned to the manufacturer. The second drawback is that you may not know the history of the phone. Some refurbished phones have simply worn out and been returned for repair. Other phones may have been abused by their previous owners, so be careful.
More advantages and disadvantages of refurbished
Is it safe to buy refurbished mobiles?
This brings us to the most important question. We have analyzed the pros and cons of buying refurbished smartphones, so now we have to talk about the safety of these used devices. The best way to answer this question would be to ask a few people: family, friends, and co-workers. if so many people they have used a refurbished smartphone, and they return to buy refurbished, you can rest assured that it is safe to use. The next best way to answer this question is to ask the manufacturers. Many smartphone manufacturers take pride in their refurbished smartphone program, so they’ll be happy to tell you how safe their products are. If you can’t find an answer in these sources, the answer is most likely yes.