New, refurbished or used: what's the difference?
The word "refurbished" covers a lot of ground, and that's where most of the confusion comes from. Here's how the three main options compare.
| New | Refurbished | Used (private sale) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Condition | Never used | Previously owned, then inspected, tested and repaired as needed | As is, whatever state the seller kept it in |
| Who checked it | The manufacturer | The manufacturer, a carrier or a third-party refurbisher | Nobody but you |
| Battery | New | Varies: sometimes replaced, sometimes only tested | Whatever is left |
| Return policy | Store's policy | Seller's policy, which varies a lot | Usually none |
| Cost | Highest | Lower than new | Usually lowest |
Within "refurbished", there are big differences. A phone refurbished by its manufacturer is typically restored to a high standard. Apple, for example, says its certified refurbished iPhones come with a new battery and outer shell. Phones from third-party refurbishers and marketplace sellers range from excellent to barely tested, and grades like "A", "Excellent" or "Good" aren't standardized between sellers.
The pros
- You pay less than for the same phone new.
- You get more phone for your budget, such as a recent flagship instead of a new entry-level model.
- Less waste. Keeping a working phone in use is better than making a new one.
- Some protection, compared with a private sale, as long as the seller offers a real return policy.
The cons
- Quality varies by seller. "Refurbished" can mean a full restoration or just a wipe and a clean.
- Battery wear. Unless the battery was replaced, you're buying a used battery.
- Replacement parts of unknown quality. A refurbished phone may have had its screen or battery swapped with a low-grade part.
- Shorter software support. An older model may stop getting updates sooner than a new phone would.
- Import and lock issues. Some refurbished phones sold online come from other countries and may be locked or not fully suited to Canadian networks.
What to check before and after you buy
Whether you buy online or in person, run through this list as soon as you can, ideally inside the return period.
- Battery health. On iPhone, go to Settings › Battery › Battery Health (on iPhone 15 and later, cycle count also appears in Settings › General › About). On Samsung and Pixel, check the battery section of Settings or the built-in diagnostics.
- Parts history. On iPhone, look in Settings › General › About for a Parts and Service History section. It can show if the screen, battery or camera has been replaced, and whether a part is genuine or unknown.
- Activation Lock and Factory Reset Protection. The phone must be fully signed out of the previous owner's Apple Account or Google account. If setup asks for someone else's login, return it.
- Carrier lock. Under the CRTC Wireless Code, phones sold in Canada since December 2017 must be unlocked, and carriers must unlock older ones free on request. A phone imported from another country may still be locked. Test it with your own SIM or eSIM right away.
- Lost or stolen status. Ask the seller for the IMEI and check it with your carrier, or with the Canadian wireless industry's online device check at devicecheck.ca.
- The basics. Test the screen for dead spots, every camera, speakers, microphones, Face ID or fingerprint, charging by cable and wirelessly, and Wi-Fi and cellular calls.
Our used phone buying guide covers the full hands-on inspection in more detail, and our post on phone unlocking in Ontario explains your unlocking rights.
Read the return policy closely
Ontario doesn't give you a general right to return a phone just because you changed your mind, so the seller's policy is what protects you. Before you pay, find out:
- How many days you have to return it, and who pays shipping
- Whether the seller covers defects that show up later, and for how long
- Whether the battery was replaced or only tested, and the minimum battery health they sell
- What exactly their condition grade means
So, should you buy refurbished?
A refurbished phone makes sense if you buy from a seller with a clear return policy and a known standard, check the phone the day it arrives, and choose a model that still gets software updates. It's a riskier choice when the seller is vague about the battery, the grading or returns.
Also weigh it against fixing the phone you have. A new battery or screen can give a good phone more life, often for less than replacing it. Our post on repairing a cracked screen vs buying a new phone walks through that decision.
Need a hand?
If your refurbished phone arrives with a weak battery, a faulty port or a screen problem after the return window has passed, Woman Wireless On The Go can check it at your home or workplace and give you a free quote before any work starts. See our cell phone repair service and the areas we cover, or call or WhatsApp (365) 351-4247.
Need it fixed? We come to you.
Certified woman technician across Milton, Oakville, Burlington, Halton Hills, Mississauga, Brampton, Toronto. See our cell phone repair service.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between refurbished and used phones?
A refurbished phone has been inspected, tested and repaired as needed by the manufacturer, a carrier or a refurbisher, and usually comes with a return policy. A used phone from a private sale is sold as is, with no inspection and usually no returns.
Are refurbished iPhones locked in Canada?
Phones sold in Canada since December 2017 must be unlocked, and carriers must unlock older phones free on request. Refurbished phones imported from other countries can still be locked, so test with your own SIM or eSIM as soon as it arrives.
What battery health should a refurbished phone have?
There's no single standard. Ask the seller whether the battery was replaced or only tested, and what minimum health they sell. Check it yourself in the battery settings as soon as the phone arrives, while you can still return it.
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