Whether you’re a loyal Apple fan or a lover of all things Samsung, we have good news. Right now, there are massive savings across refurbished smartphones of both varieties! OzMobiles is offering bargains on both high-quality refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung phones that can save you hundreds of dollars. But maybe you need a little help deciding which one to pick. It’s possible you switch back and forth between Samsung and Apple or tend to use a different smartphone manufacturer entirely. If that’s the case, this article is for you. We look at some of the main differences between Apple and Samsung phones, as well as explore what refurbished smartphones are in general, to help you find the right smartphone.

The leaders in smartphones, with more than 50% of the market share between them, Apple and Samsung, are brands that barely need an introduction. Most people are familiar with Apple’s iPhone, which hit the scene in 2007, and its intuitive interface and easy connectivity with the rest of the iOS ecosystem. Samsung’s Galaxy range began with the Galaxy S in 2010, and since then, the company’s high-grade security, tech and photo quality have made it the world's biggest-selling Android brand.

Refurbished smartphones allow you to buy second-hand phones at low prices with a quality that isn’t guaranteed elsewhere. Retailers selling refurbished phones have usually put them through a very detailed testing process to ensure every element from the battery to the camera to the microphone still works and repair anything that doesn’t. Apart from the odd dent or scuff here and there, refurbished phones should be in a comparable condition to new phones and work just as well.

So where should you start? If you’re still tossing between whether to check out refurbished iPhones or refurbished Samsung phones first, this article should help make the decision easier for you.

Samsung Galaxy Phones

A South Korean multinational, Samsung is one of the oldest smartphone companies still in operation. With a journey that began in 1969 with appliances such as TVs and refrigerators, Samsung began making smartphones in 2009 and has since risen to the top of the ranks in the Android market. With Samsungs of numerous makes and models on the market, there really is something in their catalogue for just about every Android lover.

Benefits

Samsung’s popularity as a smartphone manufacturer is due to its smartphones’ consistent quality and variety of features. These include triple-lens cameras for stunning shots, high screen resolutions, high water and dust ratings of IP67 and IP68, and multi-tasking capabilities.

Drawbacks

Not every aspect of Samsung smartphones is universally loved. At times, their bulkiness, cost, storage capacity, bloatware and the battery lives of certain models come under scrutiny.

Three great refurbished models

Looking for a new Samsung smartphone? Some of the finest refurbished Samsung phones currently available through OzMobiles include:

Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G - $859 (save $990)

This sleek, fast, high-powered flagship has a dynamic display with a 120Hz refresh rate, a long battery life and a camera with dual telephoto lenses and Space Zoom. The fact it comes with an S-Pen included is just a bonus.

Galaxy Note 20 Ultra 5G - $739 (save $760)

Due to its versatility and fantastic features, this was an expensive unit when new. Now you can score huge savings while enjoying its dynamic display, smooth S-Pen performance, 50 x zoom camera, sensational streaming and long battery life.

Galaxy S21 Plus 5G - $799 (save $750)

Beautifully designed, with a 120Hz AMOLED display and excellent performance, the Galaxy S21 Plus 5G’s refresh rate, camera zoom and colours make it an absolute pleasure to snap photos or watch media on.  

iPhones

Apple first became a force to be reckoned with in the smartphone world in 2007 with the launch of the first Apple iPhone. Ground-breaking for being a combination of a phone and an iPod music player, it was the start of many more huge things for Apple.

Benefits

The iPhone is an intuitive device that syncs like magic with other devices in the Apple ecosystem, like Mac laptops. Apple’s iPhones are fast, secure, favoured by app developers as the smartphone of choice, and don't contain the kind of bloatware that just takes up space. Apple’s bionic chip is one of the fastest and most powerful chips you’re likely to find in any smartphone. Bonus: Apple Pay is the most popular form of mobile payment right now.  

Drawbacks

So, what are some of the downsides of iPhones? Well, they’re expensive when you buy them new, have limited storage due to the lack of SD cards, and don’t work as well with other brands’ devices as they do with the rest of the Apple ecosystem.

Three great refurbished models

Three top kinds of refurbished iPhones currently available are:

iPhone 14 Pro Max - $1,779 (save $120)

Stay in the loop and get all the information you need thanks to the innovative Dynamic Island function. It’s just one of the many awesome features on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, along with a 48MP camera and action mode for video, plus impressive battery life.

iPhone 13 Pro Max - $1,629 (save $740)

Released in 2021, the iPhone 13 Pro Max remains a high-performing and all-around high-quality smartphone, even with more recent devices on the market. It boasts one of the best cameras you’re likely to find on any smartphone, cinematic video mode and excellent battery life.

iPhone 12 Pro Max - $949 (save $900)

What could be better than saving close to a grand on a phone still worth its weight? With battery life, performance and cameras that remain first-rate, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a great phone to get your hands on.

Which is Better for You? Samsung or Apple?

The iPhone vs. Samsung debate has been raging for a long time, and there’s no easy answer. Both offer excellent refurbished smartphones, both have pros and cons, and are incredibly popular.

Apple’s widespread availability gives it something of an advantage. You should be able to access support, replacement parts etc., pretty much wherever you are. Because iPhones are also the number one choice for app developers, you’re likely to get a new app quicker than on a Samsung.

On the other hand, Samsung offers more variety, with different types of phones for everyone, including foldable ones. They also offer more customisation options and work better with devices outside Apple’s ecosystem.

Neither will leave you disappointed, and you’ll be able to score big savings on both when you buy refurbished smartphones.

Where to Buy Refurbished Samsung and Apple Phones

One of the most trustworthy places to buy refurbished Samsung and Apple phones is right here on the OzMobiles website.

We put all of our devices through a rigorous 72-point checking process to ensure they live up to high-quality standards, including a battery life of at least 80%. We offer a 12-month warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee on our devices, plus free and fast shipping.

If you’ve found a better deal elsewhere for less, we beat that price by $10 (terms and conditions apply). We also offer the chance to pay in instalments through third-party providers such as ZipPay, AfterPay and PayPal Pay in 4.

Get in touch with OzMobiles for more information and help find the second-hand smartphone that’s perfect for you, no matter the brand!