This is important for many reasons, such as making sure the phone isn't blacklisted somewhere or in the worst-case scenario, not stolen from someone. (Image credit: Namerah Saud Fatmi / Android Central)Īfter you've checked all the physical aspects, your next order of business should be to verify the device's IMEI number. Uneven light spots on the screen may also indicate trouble inside. This is usually a small sticker inside the SIM card opening that turns red with liquid contact. It's also worth checking the LCI, the liquid contact indicator, to make sure the device has never been wet inside. This could suggest an issue with the phone's water tightness. There also shouldn't be any adhesive visible from the outside of the phone. If the back of the phone isn't perfectly flat as it would be new, there may be a battery issue. Make sure your new device doesn't have any cracks, bends, or bulges on any section. Even if you buy one of the best Android phones brand new, it's still worth it to check it over. While phones sold as refurbished should have passed through quality control, it's always possible that a defect can slip through the cracks. When you get the phone in, take a few minutes to check things over. In all honesty, you have a better shot at finding a great deal on a compatible unlocked phone from one of the other sites listed. Like T-Mobile, AT&T has a pretty desolate selection most days, and you won't find any pre-owned devices in stores. Lastly, there's AT&T, though even if you're an AT&T customer, the company's refurbished selection may not be worth holding your breath over. Refurbished phones will be cheap, but they won't be a steal. If the price is too good to be true, then it probably is! If you see a retailer selling a late-model "refurbished" phone for something like half the retail price or less, there's likely some catch you've yet to find.It may be nicely discounted, but much of that discount is likely due to it just being old. Sometimes companies won't be selling refurbished versions of the latest phones but instead a model or two older. Keep in mind the age of the device you're looking to buy.Most refurbished or open-box phones are sold "as is" with little or no option for returns or refunds. Read the fine print on the sale - even though it may be hard to find.Some manufacturers will offer a full warranty for refurbished phones, while third parties typically won't. See what warranty, if any, is offered for the refurbished phones.Many carriers, for example, have a 90-day warranty. They will have a quality control process and inspection as well as the ability to replace the device if you discover something isn't right. Buy from the original company or reputable store whenever possible.But there are some excellent tips to follow when shopping for a refurbished phone. The truth is you may never know, even after you have the phone in your hands. The issue with refurbished phones is that you don't necessarily know which of the possible pathways it took to become refurbished in the first place. Stores, resellers, and companies then have to discount the device because it technically isn't new-in-box and therefore can't list at the same price as a new phone. Most of the time, depending on the country where you're shopping, a purchased and opened product - and possibly not even removed from the packaging or powered on - can no longer be sold as "new" and must be sold as refurbished instead. Sometimes, refurbished devices were simply opened and returned to a store or shipped back to the manufacturer for a malfunction to be fixed before selling again. The terminology changes, but the idea is the same. They're sold at a discount, and that's why people are interested in them. You may often see it used interchangeably with "recertified," "reconditioned," or just "open box," or "pre-owned." No matter the exact wording, it generally refers to a product that was manufactured to sell as new but for whatever reason was returned to the manufacturer - either by a store, reseller, or customer - and is now ready to be sold again. What does "refurbished" mean?Įven though we see the word "refurbished" get thrown around a lot, that doesn't mean it's necessarily a standardized term. However, we have all of the information to help you navigate the refurbished market so you can make the best choice when buying a new-to-you phone. As you'd expect, buying a refurbished phone isn't as simple as walking into a store and asking for one - it takes a bit more research and understanding.
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