Less than half of Brits willing to buy refurbished phone despite high costs

Despite 83% of Brits believing new smartphones are too expensive, less than half are willing to consider buying a refurbished phone, according to a survey of 2,000 adults.

The main concerns include poor battery life (61%), the condition of the device (55%) and limited or no warranty (48%). Other fears include potential viruses or malware (43%) and the possibility that the phone was stolen before being resold (34%).

However, 43% said cost savings were a significant incentive for buying second-hand, and 51% acknowledged that refurbished devices are more sustainable than new ones.

To debunk misconceptions and showcase the potential savings on refurbished tech, iD Mobile and TV personality David Dickinson hosted a unique auction in London. Bidders vied for his top picks of quality pre-loved devices with 12-month warranties.

“Whilst the savings speak for themselves, there are still a lot of myths surrounding refurbished phones,” said Lewis Henry from iD Mobile, which claims to save customers an average of £250 per year compared to major networks.

“Many people assume they’ll be scratched, outdated models in a bad condition, when in reality, there’s often very little difference that can be easily spotted between a refurbished phone and a brand new one,” Lewis added.

The survey revealed that a staggering 63% of respondents were unaware that they could purchase a ‘Grade A’ handset, restored to an excellent, like-new condition. 

In a positive turn, two-thirds expressed openness to trading in their current phone for it to be resold as a refurbished device, thereby extending the life cycle of mobile technology.

David Dickinson, renowned for his knack for spotting a fantastic deal, enthused: “These refurb phones are absolute bargains – top-notch condition, big savings, and no compromise on quality.

“Now that’s what I call a great deal!”