With phones rapidly advancing every year, from better cameras to artificial intelligence and more efficient processors, it can be hard to keep up with the latest technology. Especially with most manufacturers releasing new models annually, it can get expensive. Fortunately, there is a cost-effective solution if you want the latest smartphones without breaking the bank. With the cost of living crisis and smartphone prices rising, the second-hand phone market is growing quicker than ever.
The refurbished phone market is growing for a range of reasons, including shoppers becoming more cost-conscious and supporting more sustainable business practices. Refurbished phones offer the same features and power as their brand-new counterparts at a fraction of the original price.
If you’re considering a refurbished phone, it’s natural to have questions. This article will cover everything you need to know about refurbished devices, including what ‘like new’ means and the common phone repairs that happen to ensure the device is running optimally.
What ‘Like New’ Means In Refurbishing Phones
‘Like new’ is one of the terms used as part of a ‘grading system’ that describes the condition of a used item. While it is commonly used in the refurbished phone market, ‘like new’ and grading systems are used for second-hand items in every industry.
Platforms like Amazon and eBay have used ‘like new’ to describe the condition of pre-owned items for years. While there is no universally accepted definition, refurbished phone businesses like OzMobiles typically use ‘like new’ to describe a second-hand phone that is fully functional, comes with the original packaging and accessories, and has very few (or no) marks, such as scratches. Amazon describes ‘like new’ as an item being in perfect working condition, with only cosmetic imperfections and/or missing non-essential accessories. In the smartphone world, the goal of the refurbishing process is to bring a phone to like-new condition for resale.
If a phone can’t be restored to like-new condition through the refurbishment process, it is recycled. Although the refurbishing process will depend on the business, the typical procedure consists of:
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Arrival & Assessment: This is the first step of any refurbishing process. The smartphone arrives at the refurbishing business, where it is carefully unpacked and assessed by a qualified technician. This process would include noting any cosmetic damage and any other potential issues (e.g., speakers aren’t working).
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Wiping Previous Data: The next step after processing the arrival of the device and assessment is typically wiping any previous user data. This step also usually includes updating the device’s operating system and performing a factory reset.
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Repair & Replace: After the phone’s previous data has been wiped and it has been restored to factory settings, the technician disassembles the phone, performing any repairs (or replacements) on components as required to restore the functionality to like-new.
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Sanitising & Shining: While the phone is still disassembled and repairs have taken place, the phone is then cleaned and sanitised. Hygiene is a crucial aspect of refurbishment, especially since phones can easily accumulate dirt, bacteria, and grime. This includes cleaning the insides, as dirt and dust can affect performance.
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Quality Control: Before the device is put up for resale, there are usually quality control checks. These checks ensure the phone is performing like its brand-new counterpart would. If the device doesn’t pass these checks, it goes back through the refurbishing process until it functions optimally. If there is any cosmetic damage (e.g., scratches or dents), this is repaired during this stage.
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Resale: Once the phone has gone through the refurbishment process and passed the quality check, it is then prepared for resale. Depending on the condition of the phone when it arrived, it may come with the original box and accessories, or it might be repackaged.
All phones that go through a reputable refurbishing business should be brought to like-new condition. They should function exactly the same as their brand-new counterparts. The only difference is that it may have pre-existing cosmetic wear, but this won’t impact performance.
Common Phone Repairs in Refurbishing
When it comes to refurbishing, every component should be checked, tested, and repaired (or replaced) if required. That being said, some repairs are more common than others.
Because the goal of refurbishment is to bring the device to like-new condition, even the smallest problems will need to be addressed, including general wear. We’ve outlined below the most common repairs for restoring a phone to like-new condition:
Screen repairs
This is one of the most common phone repairs, not only in refurbishing, but in the entire smartphone industry. Scratched or cracked screens are incredibly common in second-hand devices. Repairs involve replacing the screen with a new one, ensuring touch functionality, and alignment.
Battery replacements
Over time, phone batteries slowly degrade, resulting in overall battery health worsening. One of the most common procedures during refurbishing older smartphones is replacing the battery to restore battery health to 100% or close to it. Low battery health can lead to shorter battery life and longer charging times.
Cosmetic damage
Another common ‘repair’ during refurbishing is fixing any aesthetic issues. Over time, it’s normal for a phone to accumulate tiny scratches and smudges through general wear and tear. These can be repaired during the refurbishing process.
Connectivity issues
A common issue with older phones is connectivity problems, whether it be Wi-Fi or Bluetooth. This can be caused by a hardware or software issue, and can be repaired during the refurbishing process.
Speaker or microphone repairs
Just like any other physical component, a phone’s speaker and microphones can wear out over time. Fortunately, these can be easily fixed by replacing the faulty components with genuine replacements.
Camera repairs
Another common repair is for the camera. It’s not uncommon for a camera to malfunction over time, especially in older models, due to loose connections or a damaged component. During the refurbishing process, the technician can repair these connections and components to ensure the phone’s camera is fully functional. They may also check the lens itself and the glass.
Other issues commonly addressed during the refurbishing process include software glitches. These are usually fixed by wiping previous data, performing a factory reset, and then updating the phone’s operating system. This ensures it receives the latest patches and runs smoothly.
Buy Like-New Second-Hand Phones at OzMobiles
For the best deals on refurbished phones, choose OzMobiles today. All of the phones we sell go through a comprehensive, 72-point refurbishment process and quality check. This ensures the phone is restored to like-new condition, and any repairs are made using industry-grade tools and genuine parts.
Our large range of refurbished devices also includes the latest models from Apple, Samsung, and Google. We also offer a price beat guarantee—so if you find a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat it by $10* (terms and conditions apply). The phones we sell also come with a free 12-month warranty and a 30-day risk-free return period.
When you choose OzMobiles, you’re also choosing sustainability. Our mission is to provide Australians with a greener way to buy the latest technology. Every device we sell is one more that is out of landfill, contributes to a circular economy, and another step towards saving the planet. The packaging we use is also 100% recyclable.
If you have any questions about our like-new second-hand phones or need help finding the right device for you, contact us today. The OzMobiles team would love to hear from you and connect you with the perfect phone.
