Last Updated on May 6, 2022 by rabiamuzaffar
Are you fancying owning your favorite smartphone (one of the flagships) at a budget price? Your best way out is to go for refurbished smartphones UK. They come at a much lesser price tag than what’s printed on their original box. But most times you don’t get the original box either. Your goal is to buy one of them from a trusted seller that surely performs mandatory checks on the device. In this particular blog, we’re going to explore all the important things you need to know before securing a safe and sound refurbished handset.
Do you feel that your old smartphone has started showing signs of dying? Do you experience a weird and unstable battery performance? Or does the smartphone’s performance degrade severely over time? These are some of the signs the device is signaling you to before it becomes actually unusable.
Indeed, buying a brand new smartphone is not very affordable and convenient in these tough times and not to mention the ever-increasing price range of smartphones. But smartphones are no more luxury trophies. Everyone has to have one to live their lives normally. Even the price of the mid-range smartphones is slowly crawling up near the high-end.
Things you need to keep in mind before buying a refurbished smartphone
When you’ve made up your mind to buy refurbished Samsung phones UK, you need to be sure of the quality of the device and the reliability of the brand you’re buying from. The list below discusses all of the things you need to keep in mind before buying refurbished smartphones UK:
1. Grades of refurbished phones
Did you know that there is more than one level of quality of refurbished smartphones? These levels are termed as Grade. Refurbished phones undergo a number of testing procedures to identify their quality after which they are graded. The tests determine the degree of wear and tear of the handset, the condition of the internal hardware, and the responsiveness of the phone.
According to the overall condition, the devices are categorized into 3 grades: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. Grade A phones don’t have any significant defects, you might see some minor scratches on these phones. Grade B phones are the ones that have been used for a while but they have no considerable defects. Grade C phones have visible scratches and dents but they work completely fine. Grade A phones are almost identical to brand new phones, so if you’re looking for something shiny, they are the best you can get.
2. Reliability of the brand
Usually, most refurbished smartphones UK have been used for a while. As the devices don’t come with a manufacturer’s warranty, anything can happen to them at any time. This is why a reliable brand performs a list of quality checks on the products before selling them. Post quality checks, the refurbished seller sells the products with their in-house warranty.
3. Return policy
One of the most important factors to look for while buying refurbished Samsung phones UK is the return policy. Therefore, before dealing with a brand, make sure they offer a flexible-enough return policy. There’s a good chance of the device to start showing issues after a few days of use.
Precautions you need to take before dealing
1. Stolen mobile phones
A device sold as refurbished could be obtained illegally, say, it could be a stolen device. Unluckily, if you are delivered one of these stolen devices, you might get into trouble. To stay away from such troubles, it’s wise to ask for a copy of the original invoice of purchase. Note that a real invoice will have the basic signs including the name of the buyer, date of purchase, store name, and the warranty period.
2. Fake phones
There are a good number of fake phones circulating in the market. And one of which might land at your doorstep if you don’t carefully choose a refurbished seller. To recognize a fake smartphone, check the phone’s model number by going through the settings of the phone. See that the credentials mentioned inside the phone settings are the same as what the seller has listed.
CPU-Z is a great and simple app that lists all the internal specifications of a device. If you’re unsure about the authenticity of the device, you can simply check the specification in apps like these.
3. Implement service code test
Nowadays, all smartphones allow dialing service codes so that users can have access to specific advanced menus. For instance, you can use ##4636## to display phone, battery, and usage statistics. This information is true and can be cross-checked to determine the authenticity of the device.
4. Keep an eye on Network Locks
You must know if the refurbished phone you’re all set to buy will function with your SIM card. This is why you must ensure that the device you get is compatible with UK mobile networks.
