Buying a refurbished phone: check grade, battery and warranty

What does “refurbished” mean, and what do condition grades tell you?

“Refurbished” or “renewed” describes used devices that have been professionally restored and should work properly. Platforms use their own condition labels, such as “Like new”, “Good” or “Acceptable”, so the same word can mean different things at two sellers. Ask what the label covers, whether original parts were used and whether the photos show the actual device or only a stock image.

Some countries regulate the term. In France, a product may only be called “reconditionné” if all its functions have been tested and, where necessary, restored; for electronic devices this includes deleting all data from the previous user. Any reference to “new” is banned for such products.

Business or private seller: which route suits you?

Settle this before you compare prices. EU rules on the legal guarantee apply when you buy from a trader, not from a private individual. Marketplaces host both, so check the seller's profile before you order.

With a private seller, avoid paying in advance and choose a payment method with buyer protection. For more on private purchases, see five questions to ask before paying a second-hand seller.

Which legal guarantee applies in your country?

Under EU consumer rules, you always have a legal guarantee of at least two years when you buy from a trader, and in principle this also applies to used goods. Some EU countries allow seller and buyer to agree a shorter period for used goods, but not less than one year. If a fault appears within the first year, it is assumed to have existed when you received the phone, unless the trader can prove otherwise. Switzerland is not in the EU and has its own rules.

The EU right-to-repair directive adds another rule: where a fault is fixed by repair, the seller's liability period is extended once by 12 months. The rule does not apply to sales contracts concluded before 31 July 2026. National law sets the details: Germany has written the rule into its Civil Code, and Austria applies it to contracts concluded from 1 October 2026.

A commercial warranty from a shop or manufacturer is an extra promise and can never reduce your legal guarantee rights. On nearly new devices a manufacturer's warranty may still be running; ask for proof. More on the difference: legal guarantee or commercial warranty.

This overview is not individual legal advice. If a dispute arises, contact a consumer advice service in your country.

How much does the battery figure tell you?

Look for a minimum battery capacity given as a percentage, not just “good condition”. In France, the consumer authority DGCCRF considers the minimum battery capacity an essential characteristic of a refurbished smartphone. If a listing gives no figure, ask the seller and get the answer in writing.

On an iPhone you can read the maximum capacity yourself under Battery Health. According to Apple, this information is not available for unknown or non-genuine batteries, so a missing value is worth raising with the seller.

On Android phones, the display and the menu path depend on the manufacturer and model. Ask the seller how the battery was measured and what the result was.

Fictional example: two offers, one decision

Fictional example: Daniel works in Vienna and wants a refurbished iPhone. Offer A is cheaper and described as “like new”, but says nothing about the battery, and a clause in the general terms cuts the legal guarantee to one year. Offer B costs a little more, lists the grade “good”, states a minimum battery capacity and adds a commercial warranty.

Daniel asks the seller of offer A whether the shorter guarantee can be negotiated individually, as Austrian law requires. The seller only points to the general terms, so Daniel chooses offer B. Because he buys after 1 October 2026, a repair under the guarantee would extend the period once by a year. On the evening of delivery he checks battery health, parts history and network lock and keeps photos with the invoice.

What should you check right after unboxing?

While a return is still possible, use Apple's advice for pre-owned iPhones as a checklist:

1. Switch on: if you see “iPhone Locked to Owner”, Activation Lock is on. Apple advises against buying such a phone; if you bought online, return it.
2. Greeting: if the screen shows “Hello” in several languages, the phone has been erased. Set it up so you can test it.
3. Outside: remove the case, check the display, sides and back for scratches, scuffs and dents, and the charging port for damage or debris.
4. Functions: press the volume and side buttons, take photos with every camera in bright and low light, test the ringtone volume, record and play back a short voice memo, and adjust the brightness.
5. Battery, parts and network lock: read them as described above and compare them with the listing.

The same logic applies to Android phones: above all, the device must no longer be linked to the previous owner's account. The guide on passing on an old phone shows what sellers should do before handing a device over.

Keep the listing, invoice, battery value and photos together, as described in documenting an online order. If a fault appears later, report it to the seller promptly and in writing.

Decision questions: is this offer right for you?

• Is the seller a business with a name and address, or a private individual?
• How long is the seller liable for faults, and is any shorter period agreed separately?
• Does the listing state a minimum battery capacity as a percentage?
• What exactly does the condition grade mean, and do the photos show the real device?
• What quality checks does the seller carry out, and were original parts used?
• How long can you return the phone, and who pays for return shipping?
• Does the manufacturer still provide security updates for this model?

If three or more of these remain open, contact the seller before ordering.