Refurb Revolution: Brits dial into £2 billion savings with four in ten mobile users eyeing refurbished phones
More than 22 million mobile customers are considering getting a refurbished phone[1], which could save them a combined £2 billion on buying new[2]
Over a million Brits bought a refurbished device in the last year[3], with those aged 18-34 the most likely to choose one[4]
Phone owners say they’re motivated to pick refurbished handsets due to the desire to go green, expense of buying new and the cost-of-living crisis[5]
Despite passing the same quality checks as a new device, 39% of mobile users still say they wouldn’t buy refurbished phones with fault fears their chief concern[4][6]
Consumers can get a premium refurbished iPhone 11 for £14 per month, saving £90 over the same 24-month contract on a new handset[2]
Uswitch.com offers a range of Grade A refurbished phones — for more information about picking a pre-owned handset visit its guide.
More than 22 million savvy Brits are considering a refurbished mobile phone when the time comes to buying their next handset[1] — saving a combined total of £2 billion compared to buying a new device[2], according to Uswitch.com, the comparison and switching service.
A refurbished phone usually refers to an ex-display or pre-owned handset that has been sent back due to a fault and has been repaired for resale. These devices have the same quality checks and guarantees as a new device - and depending on the grade, are likely to be indistinguishable from brand-new models.
Picking a refurbished phone is also a more sustainable choice, as it helps to cut down on the amount of electronic waste. Buying a refurbished iPhone 11, rather than a brand new device, can also help to prevent 194g of electronic waste[7].
A third of people (34%) considering buying a refurbished phone are motivated by the need to make more green decisions[5]. Over a million savvy, eco-conscious mobile users have already made the switch and bought a refurbished device in the last year[3], proving to be particularly popular with young people aged 18-34[4].
The current cost-of-living crisis has driven many consumers to look at ways to save money, with a quarter of people (24%) saying that they need to find a cheaper alternative to buying a phone brand new[5]. Meanwhile four in 10 (40%) people considering a refurbished phone believe that brand new handsets have simply become too expensive[5].
There are undoubtedly savings to be had by choosing a refurbished phone. Consumers can currently get a refurbished premium iPhone 11 via Uswitch for £14 per month, saving £90 over the same 24-month contract on a new handset[2].
Yet there are still some sceptics out there. Despite passing the same quality checks as new handsets, two fifths of Brits (39%) would not consider buying a refurbished handset[4]. Of these, a third (32%) fear that the handset could arrive faulty and over a quarter (28%) are concerned about the battery life of refurbished models[6].
Ru Bhikha, mobiles expert at Uswitch.com, comments: “With budgets being squeezed more than ever, buying a new top-of-the-range phone might not be a priority for many consumers right now.
“Choosing a premium refurbished device is an easy way to get your hands on the phone you want, at a price you can afford, and not have to sacrifice on its quality and condition.
“Buying refurbished is also an easy way to be more eco-friendly, giving a pre-owned phone a fresh lease of life and cutting the e-waste produced from buying a new device. It also encourages more mobile consumers to get into the habit of recycling and reusing handsets.
“Our research shows millions of people are considering buying a refurbished phone in the near future and we expect more people to make the switch soon.
“Sceptics should remember that refurbished does not mean faulty — all phones are tested the same way as new devices and some will have been returned without ever being used. They often come with a one-year guarantee for added assurance.
“For those wanting peace of mind when buying a refurbished phone, be sure to use a trusted seller. And if you want a handset which is as good as new, look out for one labelled as Grade A, which is the only grade available on Uswitch.”
Find out which refurbished phone deals are available at Uswitch here.
Discover more about how to pick the best refurbished phone and for information on the different grades of condition see the Uswitch guide here.
Notes to editors:
Opinium surveyed a sample of 2,000 UK adults from the 6th to 9th May 2022. Results were weighted to reflect a nationally representative criteria.
1. Respondents were asked, ‘As a reminder, “a refurbished handset”, is a phone that has usually been in circulation for a brief period of time, either pre-owned by someone who may have changed their mind, ex-display or a model repaired by the manufacturer. Which, if any, of the following are your thoughts on buying a refurbished smartphone? Please select all that apply’, 43% of people said that they would consider buying a refurbished phone in the future. 43% of the UK adult population of 52,890,000 = 22,742,700.
2. Two similar iPhone 11 deals available on Uswitch were compared side-by-side, with one of the deals here being a new handset and another deal here being a refurbished handset. The total price of a new iPhone 11 on a £14 a month deal is £595, compared to the total price of a refurbished iPhone 11 on a £14 a month deal which is £504.99. 22,742,700 multiplied by the cost difference of £90 between 24-month contract on a new handset vs a refurbished iPhone 11, both with 1GB data = £2.05 billion.
3. Respondents were asked ‘Do you own a smartphone?’, 92% of respondents said ‘yes’. 92% of the UK adult population of 52,890,000 = 48,658,800 smartphone users. Owners of a smartphone were then asked ‘Thinking about the mobile phone you use most often, which of the following best describes the condition you bought it in?’, 5% of those people said ‘I purchased this phone in a refurbished condition’. 5% of 48,658,800 = 2,432,940 with a refurbished phone. Respondents were then asked ‘When did you buy or acquire the smartphone that you currently use?’, 43% of people with a refurbished phone bought their handset in the last year. 43% of 2,432,940 = 1,046,164 people who bought their refurbished phone in the last year.
4. Respondents were asked ‘As a reminder, “a refurbished handset”, is a phone that has usually been in circulation for a brief period of time, either pre-owned by someone who may have changed their mind, ex-display or a model repaired by the manufacturer. Which, if any, of the following are your thoughts on buying a refurbished smartphone? Please select all that apply’, 16% of 18 to 34 year-olds said ‘I am planning to get a refurbished phone as my next handset’, the highest percentage out of all age groups. 39% of people said ‘I would not consider buying a refurbished smartphone in the future’.
5. Those who said they would consider buying a refurbished handset were asked ‘You mentioned that you would consider buying a refurbished smartphone. Which, if any, of the following are your reasons for this? Please select all that apply’, 40% of people said ‘I believe that new mobile phones have become too expensive’, 34% said ‘Refurbished phones are better for the environment’ and 24% said ‘The current cost of living crisis means that I need to find a cheaper alternative’.
6. Those who said they would not consider buying a refurbished handset in the future were asked ‘You mentioned that you would not consider buying a refurbished smartphone. Which, if any, of the following are your reasons for this? Please select all that apply’, the most common response was ‘I am worried the handset could be faulty’ at 32% of people, followed by 28% of people that said ‘I am worried the battery would not last as long compared with a new model’.
7. Source: https://www.backmarket.co.uk/second-hand-iphone-11-64-gb-black-unlocked/290057.html#l=12
About Uswitch
Uswitch is one of the UK’s top comparison websites for home services switching, including energy, broadband and mobiles.
More people go to Uswitch to switch their energy, broadband and mobile than any other site, and we have saved consumers over £2.7 billion off their bills since we launched in September 2000.
Free mobile app Utrack also helps households manage their home energy usage and make potential savings.
Uswitch is part of RVU, a group of online brands with a mission to empower consumers to make more confident home services, insurance and financial decisions.