I have compared the prices and I will tell you if it is worth buying them or not

Several hundred euros or even more than 1,000 euros: that is what a smartphone can cost us today. Obviously, a model launched this same year It will still have a high price. For this reason, if what you prioritize above all things is your pocket, Opting for a model from last year or the previous year is a good idea.

Depending on the manufacturer, it will take more or less work to find one of these devices in stores. But, And what happens with refurbished cell phones? Do you really save a lot by buying one of these phones? We have taken a look at the main stores where we can find reconditioned very popular mobile phones and we will tell you what the result has been.

Spoiler: You can save a pretty penny, but only if you look closely.

The results of the different stores, at a glance

As you can see from the table, the price of refurbished phones is almost always lower than that of new devices. Now, the price will depend on several different factors, such as the condition of the device or the seller. Also from the moment in which we search, since their prices fluctuate frequently.

The cheapest reconditioned can also be the best quality

• What we would expect to see in the comparison: A device with more signs of wear or use is cheaper. This is almost always the case, but that’s the key: not always.
• The table leaves us surprises: if we look at the Galaxy S25 from Samsung, we can see how in ‘very good’ condition it is cheaper than ‘premium’. However, this is not the general trend and we can find mobile phones in the best of conditions at a lower price than ‘pre-owned’ or only ‘functional’.
• What conclusion do we draw? If we are determined to buy a refurbished device, the best thing we can do is look at various stores. Although they do not vary much, there are cases where we can easily save a good amount. Furthermore, it is possible to find a phone in ‘excellent’ condition in store A cheaper than one that is simply ‘pre-owned’ in store B.

Learning from this comparison

For the table above we have compared, in several stores, several different refurbished mobile phones. We have focused on some of the best-selling brands such as Apple, Samsung or Xiaomi, always looking at phones that are from high-end or mid-range of past generations. From the specific figures we can extract some clear points:

• Reconditioned products represent savings (almost) always: It will depend on the device in question, but there can be a very big price difference. Especially on mobile phones with high prices.
• The condition of the reconditioned is a differentiating factor, but it does not always guarantee the best price.
• The differences between stores can be big. By comparing reconditioned ones from different stores, we can easily save more than 50 or 100 euros.
• On mid-range phones, the savings are not that big. It will depend on the mobile phone, but the savings will almost always be greater on more expensive phones. You must also take into account the state of the battery to know if it compensates or not, although we will talk about that below.

The condition of the battery can be decisive

When we talk or think about refurbished phones, we usually focus a lot on its physical appearance, in case it has scratches or bumps. That is important (it should be more), although we do not have to lose sight of the health of the battery. In this case, it will depend on the store in question:

• Back Market: minimum 85%.
• PcComponents: minimum 80%.
• MediaMarkt Outlet: here we do not find specific information about each device, so we would have to contact the store to find out.

It should be noted here that in some stores, such as Back Market, you can request a completely new battery paying a little more.

In practice, a capacity of 80% is not too much. It will depend on how we use the phone, but it is obvious that we are going to have to charge the phone more often. Besides, the battery capacity will decrease as they happen charging cycles. And of course, if we add a new battery to the equation, we will be losing part of the savings along the way.

My advice? It will depend a lot on the type of user you are.. If you use your phone intensively or intend for it to last for many years, then it is worth considering the option of a new battery. By adding up the cost of the phone and the battery, you can easily see if a refurbished phone is worth it or a new one is better. Now, if you don’t use your phone too much, then a battery that has 80 or 85% health is enough.

It is worth checking the store’s warranty and return policy

Although you always have the option of searching for second-hand phones in apps like Wallapop, a store with reconditioned phones has the advantage of greater protection and guarantee. As with battery health, it depends on each store:

• Back Market: It has a 24-month warranty and a 30-day free trial period on all its devices.
• PcComponents: The warranty depends on the condition of the device. It goes from three years for those that are ‘like new’ to a single year for those that are ‘functional’. The return period is 30 days.
• MediaMarkt Outlet: The mobile phones have a legal guarantee and there are also 30 days to return it.

What to look for when buying refurbished products?

With all this information in hand, I am going to summarize the most important things when looking at a refurbished mobile phone in five different points:

• The offer, the more clear information it has, the betterr– Make sure specific details such as battery capacity are specified. For example, ‘at least 85% health’ and not more vague expressions such as ‘autonomy for one day of use’.
• See the status description: Each seller has their own refurbished ‘statuses’. A ‘good’ status may be different from one store to another, so it’s worth looking at each site’s information on this.
• Calculate the price with and without new battery: As we said above, if the seller offers the possibility of a new battery, it is worth doing the total calculation and comparing it with what the new device costs.
• Always compare several stores: Never go for the first reconditioned one you see. It is worth comparing prices between different stores.
• Special or flash offers can change the movie: Refurbished stores offer temporary discounts that can make one of these phones even more worth it. It’s a matter of being attentive.

As we have already seen, it is possible to save (a lot) on a refurbished mobile this 2026, especially when they are high-end mobiles. Now, you have to choose carefully depending on the condition of the devices and the health of the battery. Knowing what to look for makes it easier for you to choose a reconditioned one and win along the way.

Some of the links in this article are affiliated and may provide a benefit to Xataka. In case of non-availability, offers may vary.

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