January 2023 Refurbished Phone Deals
If money is tight – and it is for most people right now – then a cheaper way to get yourself a new phone is to buy a refurbished one. It’s a lot cheaper than buying a new phone, but it comes with the huge benefit of a warranty, which means peace of mind.
Plus, it’s good for the environment, compared to buying a new phone, making it the greener choice.
Now is a good time of year to buy one, as you can get some extra cash from the sales.
Of course, you won’t find the very latest refurbished models available, and if you do, they’ll be almost as expensive as new models. The best deals you’ll find are for older phones, such as the iPhone 13 and Samsung Galaxy S21. You can also find deals on refurbished Samsung Galaxy S22 phones, with big savings compared to buying new.
Prices vary a lot by condition, and since they’re refurbished, there isn’t an endless supply of phones in all conditions and colors.
This means that if you see an offer you like, don’t wait – someone else might grab it.
Where To Find Refurbished Phone Deals In The UK (Sim Free)
Here are the best places to look for a refurbished phone, along with promotions you could use:
Where to Buy Contract Refurbished Phones
You can also get refurbished handsets on a monthly contract (and sometimes buy them outright) from network operators, including:
Where to Find Refurbished Phone Deals in the US (Sim Free)
Here are the best places to buy a refurbished phone in the United States.
Best refurbished phone deals UK
Apple iPhone 12 (64 GB) – Good condition
1
From: UR
Was: £799
Now:
£389.95
(£409.05 off)
This refurbished iPhone 12 in mint condition is over £400 cheaper than when it originally launched – it was £799 in 2020.
Reasons to buy from UR include a free case, glass screen protector, 12-month warranty, and 12-month theft and accidental damage insurance.
Apple iPhone 11 (64 GB) – Good condition
2
From: giffgaff
Was: £729
Now:
£269
(£460 off)
One of the most affordable refurbished iPhone deals on a model that’s still worth buying: this iPhone 11 in “fine” condition is a bargain if you don’t mind noticeable wear.
You also get a 12 month warranty, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Plus, giffgaff offers the option to pay monthly for two years (with an upfront cost of £25) if you can’t afford to buy it outright.
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max – 128 GB – Excellent condition
3
From: Amazon
Was: £1,099
Now:
£599.99
(£500 off)
It may be two years old now, but the iPhone 12 Pro Max is still a great phone. And that big discount from Amazon Renewed is pretty enticing.
Apple iPhone 12 mini (64 GB) – Good condition
4
From: UR
Was: £579
Now:
From £339.95
(£239.05 off)
This price is for a model in good condition, which means noticeable wear and tear, but you’re saving nearly £240 over the original iPhone 12 mini RRP.
Additionally, UR provides a case, glass screen protector, 12-month warranty, and 12-month theft and accidental damage insurance.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (128GB) – Fair condition
5
From: Envirofone
Was: £679
Now:
£269.99
(£409.01 off)
The price of last year’s Galaxy S21 has come down significantly now that the S22 range has arrived – and you can save even more when you buy refurbished.
When we checked, a few colors were in stock, and in good condition, the price is really very attractive.
Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max – 64 GB – Good condition
6
From: Back Market
Was: £1149
Now:
£381
(£768 off)
The iPhone 11 Pro Max is no longer available from Apple, but costs £1,149 on release, meaning this deal saves you almost £770 on an unlocked, refurbished phone in ‘good’ condition .
Back Market also offers free shipping and a 12 month warranty.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 – Gray – Excellent condition
7
From: Back Market
Was: £1299
Now:
£499
(£800 off)
The Z Flip 3 is one of the most popular foldable flip phones. This one is in ‘excellent’ condition and costs around £50-60 more than the ‘good’ or ‘fair’ alternatives, which is a bargain.
What do the refurbished notes mean?
Each retailer has their own grading system, which means that a “good” phone may be in very different condition than a “good” phone purchased from another.
This is why it is crucial to read the description of what each grade means on the retailer’s website.
Some start their rating at “Good” (meaning the worst condition they sell for) and go up to Excellent or Like New.
Others are more honest, calling phones with obvious signs of wear. Others still use A, B, C or other systems that are not as descriptive
Refurbished vs used or used – what’s the difference?
There is a difference between buying refurbished and simply buying used. Although refurbished devices are technically second-hand, they are repaired and reconditioned to perform like new. However, buying a used phone means you get the device as is which means the lifespan may not last as long.
Refurbished phones often come with a one-year warranty no matter where you buy. In fact, we urge you to review the warranty policy before purchasing. Make sure there is one!
Read our Refurbished vs Used guide, where we look at which is better and why.
If you still prefer to buy new, but are on a budget, read our roundup of the best budget phones.
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