This type of device is a good option for those who want to save money. Find out more details.
Buying a good cell phone these days is not cheap. Despite having excellent functions and features, these devices are often very expensive and cannot fit into the budget of many Brazilians, making the purchase unfeasible.
For this reason, many users end up looking for cheaper options and end up investing in used or even refurbished devices, which can be purchased for lower prices than a new smartphone.
Do you know what a refurbished cell phone is? Find out all the details now and discover if it's worth investing in this type of cell phone.
Refurbished cell phone
Buying a new smartphone, especially an iPhone, it's not easy these days. There's no shortage of excellent cell phone options, with good cameras, processors, screens, storage and much more.
However, the main problem with this choice may be the price of the devices, which are very high and may not fit into many people's budgets.
As a result, many people opt for refurbished cell phones, which are devices that presented some manufacturing problem during the warranty period and were exchanged for an identical device, at no cost to the consumer.
These defective devices are analyzed by specialists, who will determine whether to replace parts to fix any defects, leaving the cell phone in better condition. Repairs can be made to the screen or to a specific component of the device that has suffered some damage. After the repair and replacement of parts, the cell phone is returned to the market to be sold again.
Some manufacturers offer this type of service on their own, which is the case from Apple. In the United States, the brand sells refurbished iPhones and other products on its own website, with discounts of up to 15%. In Brazil, the Dell brand also sells refurbished computers on the “Outlet” tab of its website.
Refurbished vs. used
The main difference between a used and refurbished cell phone is that, in the case of refurbished phones, they undergo a technical inspection, which may result in the replacement of parts and components of the device. In other words, the problems are fixed. A used device, on the other hand, is generally sold in its original condition. Therefore, they do not go through a specialist and undergo repairs before being sold.
How to know if the device is refurbished
Apple offers a simple way for users to identify whether their device is refurbished or not. The user must access the device's settings to check its model, which consists of 8 digits, starting with a letter.
If the model code starts with the letter F, it means the device is refurbished. If it starts with the letter M, the device is new. There are also models with the letter N, which indicates that it is a replacement device. If it has the letter P, it indicates that the phone has been customized.
Guarantee
Before purchasing any product, you must check whether it has a warranty. However, as provided for in article 26 of the Consumer Protection Code, the consumer is entitled to a 90-day warranty, even if the store does not inform this.
With the legislation, this period starts to count from the delivery of the product. Therefore, upon receiving the product, the buyer has up to three months to complain about defects in the device. If the purchase is made online, the consumer also has the right to cancel the purchase.
Device battery
Refurbished cell phones often come with a battery already worn, because in some cases, the replacement of components may only be related to those that have suffered damage. In these cases, the other components remain unchanged.
Therefore, before making the purchase, it is important to check all the information with the seller, to know which parts have been replaced and which remain original.
Is it worth investing?
These phones are an option for those looking to save money when buying a new device, because they are priced below market value. They can also be an option for those who want a phone with more storage, but cannot afford to pay the full price of a new product.
However, it is important to be careful when purchasing this type of model. It is ideal to check all the information and details to make sure that the device is in good condition and can actually be used. Furthermore, as mentioned, the device only has a three-month warranty, while a new device has a twelve-month warranty.
