Whether you soaked your phone in water (and the rice didn’t magically repair it) or you’re simply getting tired of it, choosing a new phone can be quite the challenge. The reason behind this is the many factors you need to consider before making your purchase, such as the camera quality, processor performance, battery life, appearance, price and others. Buying a refurbished mobile phone gives you the best of both worlds.

Mobile phones used to be this luxurious gadget that only a few of us had, but today it’s hard to find someone that doesn’t own one. Their use has escalated into a modern addiction – studies prove that using them for any purpose triggers dopamine releases in our brains. This way we associate them with happiness and pleasure.

Android vs iPhone

With the latest technology advancements, Android and iOS are the only feasible operating system platforms available. Both are fairly similar and it mostly comes down to personal preference. While you might be more limited with app options if you’re using iOS, you’ll also be more secure, since Apple is vetting all apps to avoid allowing malware through. You also get a range of products like the Apple Watch, MacBook, iPad and others that are interconnected with your iPhone.

Most features often get copied from one operating system to the other, like for example – Apple incorporating widgets on iPhones, Android devices getting swipe controls and countless other examples. Android smartphones come at lower prices, they’re highly customizable and allow you to sideload apps. Both devices can transfer data using a USB cable, but an iPhone can immediately share it with your other Apple devices, whereas an Android can use a common USB-C that has many purposes. As opposed to Android smartphones, Apple gives you more privacy – it still collects your data, such as e-mails, direct messages and internet clicks, but it doesn’t sell it to third parties, unlike Facebook and Google.

The Price Concern

iPhone prices, which were already quite high, are rapidly increasing. This is due to the newly added features, but also their increased durability. The latest models are waterproof, shockproof and their software is regularly updated. However, if you were to buy the newest foldable phones, for example, you’d pay a shocking $2,000. The high prices often urge people to either get mobile phone contracts which often cost more when you add all the monthly fees or buy either used or refurbished phones to save money.

What are Refurbished iPhones?

It’s important to note that there’s a big difference between “used” and “refurbished”. A used phone is a pre-owned phone that might have damaged software or hardware, whereas a refurbished phone implies that the pre-owned device was carefully inspected and repaired by the manufacturer or mobile service and is now selling at a discounted price from the original one. Most refurbished iPhones have never been seriously damaged and are a result of the customers simply changing their minds or finding a small scratch or dent on the exterior.

Are Refurbished iPhones a Good Idea?

This alternative is a great way to save money when buying a new smartphone, as some mobile services offer more than a 40% discount. Other than that, the phones they offer are in mint condition, which is ensured with a 12-month warranty. While buying a used smartphone may be cheaper, it might have defects you don’t know about.

That being said, not all sites offering refurbished smartphones are credible. To choose the right one, look for the 12-month warranty of the product, make sure that you have a set period when you can return it if you’re not satisfied with it, and carefully read the documents to see if it has some hidden conditions.

Shopping for refurbished phones is a sustainable choice. When returned iPhones are dismissed because of damage, they’re thrown away into landfills. Almost all models have plastic parts and lithium batteries, which take forever to decompose and fill the soil with toxins. Refurbishing it instead saves both the smartphone and the environment.

Another reason to buy a refurbished smartphone is that you can find models that are no longer being manufactured – iPhone x refurbished is one example.

Why is iPhone X Still Relevant in 2021?

iPhone X, also known as iPhone 10, was released on November 3rd, 2017 for the iPhone’s 10-year anniversary, and was discontinued less than a year after. This was the first time Apple had discontinued a product so soon after its release, and before the release of a newer model. There were many rumours about the reasons behind killing off the iPhone x, the main ones being that it was “too ahead of its time” and the unexpected low sales resulting from its high price ($1,000).

This model has revolutionary features that were then new to iPhone users. Apple removed the home button and added facial recognition unlocking mechanism. This model is the first to have an OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display, which comes with a lot of benefits: better contrast, higher brightness, wider colour range, faster refresh rates and lower power consumption. It has scratch-resistant glass with an oleophobic coating, but you can always apply an additional screen protector for more safety. Its dual 12mp camera produces overwhelming pictures, with almost the same quality as Apple’s iPhone 11 and 12 models. This iPhone has an overall luxury look thanks to the stainless steel frame and is lightweight.

If you were to buy a refurbished iphone x, you’d have a user experience not much lower than buying the latest iphone 12 and 13. This model is supported by the latest iOS operating system updates and will be by new ones to come. The 10 nm A11 Bionic processor keeps it running smoothly and it’s not that far behind the iPhone 13’s A15 Bionic one. The iPhone x’s features are comparable to the latest versions, and you can easily find an iphone x refurbished for less than half the price.

Bottom Line

If you’re a person that enjoys Apple’s slick high-quality design and privacy guarantee, you don’t always need to pay a hefty price for an iPhone. While original store-bought models come with skyrocketing prices, refurbished iPhones offer you almost the same quality at discounted prices, with the same warranty.