Sometimes it’s hard to predict the quality of a new phone. Smartphones, whether they’re brand new, second-hand or refurbished, can vary a lot in terms of quality. Heading to your closest Apple store and getting your hands on the latest flagship is going to be a very different experience from buying a second-hand mobile phone online from a stranger. While there are a lot of benefits to buying refurbished smartphones, it’s reasonable to feel cautious. When you’re browsing refurbished Android phones, you want to make sure you’re getting quality you can count on before you type in your card details.

So what should you look out for when buying refurbished mobile phones in Australia?

First, let’s look at the main benefit of buying refurbished– saving yourself hundreds of dollars while scoring a smartphone that works like (and often looks as good as) a brand new one or close to it.   

Refurbished phones are a safer way to buy second-hand mobile phones than taking your chances on a phone from a random online stranger.  Refurbished phones are used phones that retailers have checked, tested and repaired if necessary before putting up for resale. A refurbished phone has been put through a detailed process to test and ensure its quality– the previous owner’s data has been wiped clean, damaged parts like screens and seals are replaced, personal customisations are removed, and the phone is put through extensive testing.  

Of course, it’s important to find a refurbisher who is committed only to releasing phones with the highest levels of quality. Nobody wants to throw money away on a smartphone that doesn’t meet expectations. So what should you look for when buying refurbished Android phones in Australia?  Where can you get your hands on the second-hand Samsung phone or other Android brand of your dreams?

Refurbished Phone Grades At OzMObiles

While the details may differ, one thing that’s consistent is that refurbished phones are usually sold in grades that correspond with their levels of quality. Usually, the higher the grade, the closer the phone is to being as good as new. Even lower-graded phones are likely to be pretty high in terms of quality, with superficial faults like cracks or chips often the only significant differences. 

OzMobiles sells smartphones in four main grades according to their conditions:

New: As the name implies, these phones are brand new (no previous owners) and come with their full Australian manufacturer’s warranties. While some have been opened for quality checks, none of these phones has ever been activated. 

Ex-Demo: ‘Ex-demo’ is a term that usually refers to phones that have been taken out of their boxes only to be put on display in retail stores. They’ve been taken out of their packaging and turned on to demonstrate how they work, but they haven’t had previous owners. OzMobiles’ ex-demo phones are fully functional and in a condition close to new with no marks (or only very faint ones) on them.

Excellent: An OzMobiles device that’s rated as excellent has minimal signs of wear and tear. Fully functional, it has very minor scratches and scuffs not visible at arm’s length.

Very Good: A very good-condition OzMobiles phone is a fully-functioning phone of exceptional value. While scratches and imperfections on this phone are a little more visible, the significantly more affordable price makes it well worth it. 

Yet, while grades are a good indicator, they’re not all you need to look out for when buying refurbished Android phones in Australia. So what else do you need to look for from your second-hand mobile phone?

Checking the Quality of Refurbished Android Phones

Whether you’re interested in second-hand Samsung Phones or other Android brands, there are a few important things to watch out for when buying refurbished:

Does it come from a trustworthy seller?

It pays to spend some time researching the company you’re buying your refurbished phone from. What is their website like? How do they engage with their customers? What kind of reviews do they have online, and do people who’ve bought from them seem happy with what they’ve got? Familiarising yourself with the seller gives you a better chance of making sure you find a refurbished Android phone that delivers on quality.

Does it come with a warranty?

One of the biggest concerns people have about buying a second-hand phone is not getting what they paid for and not being able to get a refund. When you buy refurbished, it’s important to make sure you’re protected with a warranty in case anything goes wrong.

What is the battery life like?

Battery life is one of the most important factors in any smartphone purchase, whether you’re buying refurbished Android phones or flagship phones straight from the store. The last thing you want to do when you’re out of the house is find yourself constantly looking for a socket to plug the charger in, especially if you’ve just bought the phone. You can save yourself a world of hassle by checking how much of a priority your seller puts on battery life.

What is the grade?

The grade isn’t a make-or-break factor, most refurbished phones with “lower” grades still work very well. But it’s still worth looking into what kind of rating your smartphone has been assigned so you know what sort of state it will be in before you buy.  

Does it include accessories?

Refurbished Android phones usually won’t come with all the standard accessories, like headphones and chargers, that you may get with new models. That doesn’t mean you won’t get a sweet deal, but it’s worth being aware before you buy in case you have your heart set on any extras.

With all the different options out there, where do you buy second-hand Samsung phones with a level of quality you know you can trust?

Buy Quality Refurbished Android Phones from OzMobiles

There are so many benefits to refurbished Android phones. You can save big, get a phone with a warranty and do your part to help the environment, as discarded smartphones are a major contributor to the problem of e-waste.

It’s the perfect time to pick up refurbished Android phones as we offer huge savings on second-hand Samsung phones and other Android smartphones. You can pick up both Android phones and iPhones among our current crop of clearance items.

When you buy from OzMobiles, you get the highest level of quality possible without having to buy brand new.

Our devices are tested at our Melbourne headquarters using our 72-point testing process to make sure they comply with Australian standards. Battery life is included in this, and we make sure it’s at least 80% of its full capacity. All of our smartphones come with 12-month warranties and 30-day money-back guarantees, so you’re covered if anything goes wrong. Our latest model phones are covered by the Australian manufacturer’s warranty.

We offer free and fast shipping, so your device gets to you quickly. If you order with Express Post on a weekday before 12:30 pm, we’ll dispatch your device on the same day.

We aim to make it affordable to buy the smartphone you want. If you find a better deal elsewhere on the same phone, we’ll beat that price by $10 (terms and conditions apply). If you’re on a tight budget but have found the perfect phone for you, you can pay in instalments through third-party providers like ZipPay, AfterPay and PayPal Pay in 4.

For help finding the right second-hand mobile phone or for answers to any of your questions, contact the OzMobiles team!