Guides · Buying guide

New, used or refurbished phone: which should you buy?

What the labels really mean and how to save without getting burned.

Oct 7, 2026 · 5 min read

Phones keep getting more expensive, so a lot of people are buying used or refurbished. Here's what each label means and when each one makes sense.

New: sealed in the box with the full manufacturer warranty. Best if you keep phones for 4+ years or want the newest model on day one.

Refurbished: a used phone that has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded. Good refurbished phones come with a warranty and a new or tested battery. This is usually the best value: 20 to 40 percent off with very little risk.

Used: sold as-is by its previous owner. Cheapest, but you're taking on the risk. Check that it isn't locked to someone's Apple ID or Google account, isn't blacklisted, and that the battery health is reasonable.

What to check on any non-new phone: battery health (80% or higher), that it's unlocked, that Face ID or the fingerprint sensor works, that all cameras focus, and that the IMEI is clean.

Our take: a refurbished phone that's one or two generations old gives you almost everything the newest model does for a lot less money. Ask how long it will keep getting software updates. Recent iPhones, Pixels and Galaxy S phones get many years.

We sell new, used and refurbished phones in store and online through our partner The Smart Source, and every phone we sell is tested first. Trading in your old phone can take more off the price.