Should you buy a refurbished smartphone?

By Nathan Lawrence

Last updated 25 September 2025

Contents

In this guide:

What are the benefits of refurbished phones?
What are the risks of refurbished phones?
What to look for in a refurbished phone

Refurbished phones are not the same as buying a second-hand smartphone from Facebook Marketplace. While both types involve used phones, the difference is that a refurbished iPhone or Android phone has gone through a series of checks and potential repairs from a reputable reseller. The refurbished Apple or Android phone is then repackaged for sale.

It's easy to see why an Android or Apple refurbished phone in Singapore is a popular pick. While new phones can cost thousands of dollars, refurbished phones are generally cheaper. The more wear and tear on the refurbished phone, the cheaper it should be. Conversely, ex-demo or pre-owned refurbished phones in great condition will typically cost more than their more banged-up counterparts.

Whether you have a new or refurbished phone, you'll want to pair it with a mobile plan. Here's a look at cheap mobile plans from our database.

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What are the benefits of refurbished phones?

There are some key reasons to buy a refurbished phone instead of a new model.

Refurbished is cheaper than retail

The main reason to consider a refurbished phone over a retail model is the price. Because refurbished phones aren't new, they cost less. While newer Apple refurbished phones and Android models may still cost $1,000+, they'll still be cheaper than buying the same model new. If you choose to buy an older refurbished iPhone or Android phone, you can potentially save a lot more money when compared to newer models.

Refurbished phone warranty

If you buy a refurbished iPhone or Android phone from a reputable retailer rather than Facebook Marketplace or similar, you'll also get a warranty. The warranty varies depending on the refurbished retailer. Reebelo and Compasia offer three-month warranties for refurbished phones, but if you buy through Compasia, you can pay extra for up to 24 months of warranty cover. Other refurbished retailers only offer 30-day warranties, including Mister Mobile, myhalo, and Moby Shop.

Refurbished is better than second-hand

While second-hand and refurbished phones are used in one way or another, refurbished is still the better pick. When you're buying second-hand from a friend, family member, colleague, or anyone else, you don't really know the condition the phone is in. But buying a refurbished phone from a reputable retailer means a certain level of appraisal, testing, and overall quality control.

Refurbished savings can be spent elsewhere

The money you otherwise might've spent on a pricier new-model smartphone can be put towards something else. For phones specifically, we strongly advise investing in a quality phone case and screen protector. Those two accessories combined can easily cost $100+ before considering other potential add-ons.

Refurbished phones are more sustainable

With Singapore reportedly producing 60,000 tonnes of e-waste each year, buying a refurbished phone is a good sustainability consideration. Instead of buying new and disposing of a smartphone when you get a newer replacement model, going with a refurbished phone means less e-waste.

What are the risks of refurbished phones?

While there are plenty of reasons to buy a refurbished phone, there are some cons you want to consider first.

Refurbished phones may have degraded batteries

Unless the battery has been replaced or the previous owner was diligent with battery health, a refurbished phone likely has degraded battery life. The more a phone is recharged, the more the battery degrades. So the more a refurbished phone has been recharged, the less battery life and longevity it may have either when you buy it or not long after. Reebelo, for instance, only sells refurbished phones with at least 80% battery health, but that's still up to 20% less than a new phone.

Refurbished phones have shorter warranties

While a reputable refurbished phone reseller will offer a warranty, that warranty will likely be shorter than a new model. Apple, Samsung, and Google all offer 12-month warranties for a new phone. And while Reebelo and Compasia have three-month warranties for their refurbished phones, other refurbished retailers either have shorter warranties (as low as 30 days) or you have to pay extra for a longer warranty.

Refurbished phones have shorter software support

The trend these days is that Apple, Samsung, and Google offer up to seven years of software support for new mobile phones. That means up to seven years of security updates, bug fixes, and new features. If you buy a refurbished phone, particularly an older model, the software support window will be shorter. Without updates, your older refurbished iPhone or Android phone may be prone to performance or security issues.

Refurbished phones may have cosmetic issues

While a reputable refurbished reseller ensures a resold phone's performance is up to scratch, cosmetic wear and tear may be a secondary consideration. Cheaper refurbished phones have lower price tags partially because of additional cosmetic issues, which may include nicks and scratches. That's not so noticeable if you're putting your refurbished phone in a case, but any damage to the screen or camera array may be harder to hide.

Refurbished phones may be pricier than cheaper retail models

Flagship phones are popular choices when it comes to refurbished vs retail. But you can feasibly save just as much (if not more) by opting for a mid-tier smartphone. Apple, Samsung, and Google all have cheaper models that are worthy alternatives to their top-of-the-line phones. Otherwise, consider an Android phone from brands like Xiaomi or OPPO.

What to look for in a refurbished phone

Before you even start looking at a refurbished phone, you want to pick a retailer that has a great reputation. Mister Mobile, Moby Shop, myhalo, and Reebelo all have great Google user reviews. After you've selected a refurbished retailer, take a closer look at their refurbishment process. Reebelo, for instance, has 70+ quality checkpoints before a phone is eligible for resale.

These quality tests typically lead to a grading, which may be separated to cover the device and the battery. The closer these gradings are to "premium" or "pristine", the better the quality of the refurbished phone (and the more you should expect to pay). Cosmetic wear and tear can be potentially concealed with a case, but pay attention to any damage to the all-important phone screen.

Also check whether a refurbished retailer accepts returns. If they do, you should expect between seven and 14 days. Regardless of whether a store has a return policy, keep an eye out for a warranty. Some may be as short as 30 days, but stores like Compasia let you pay extra for up to 24 months of warranty.

When picking a refurbished phone, remember that the older it is, the more likely it'll have degraded battery health. Where possible for older mobile phones, we recommend considering one that's had a battery replacement (or factoring that into your budget). Older refurbished phones will also have less time left on their software support. If the phone is really old, it may not have any more software support. Check when software support ends before purchasing a refurbished phone.