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Buying guide

New or refurbished phone? When each one makes sense

Refurbished isn't always better, and neither is new. We explain when each option is worth it and which phones we recommend buying new.

NiceTwiceTech editorial team 2 min read

Contents
  1. The quick rule
  2. When buying new makes sense
  3. When refurbished makes sense
  4. Our recommended phones to buy new
  5. If you'd rather go refurbished
  6. In short

At NiceTwiceTech we talk a lot about refurbished phones, but we don't think they're always the best choice. Sometimes the sensible thing is to buy new. The key is how much you really save and how many years you'll use it.

The quick rule

  • Model from 1–3 years ago → refurbished. The saving is usually big and the phone still has plenty of power.
  • Current or just-launched model → usually new. Refurbished is barely cheaper and you miss out on a brand-new battery and the full warranty.
  • You'll keep it 5 years or more → consider new. The more years of updates it has ahead, the better.

When buying new makes sense

  1. You want the latest features, such as Apple, Samsung or Google AI, which only come to the newest models.
  2. The refurbished saving is small. If the difference is little money, buy new.
  3. You want the fullest warranty. New phones come with the manufacturer's warranty on top of your Consumer Rights Act protection.
  4. Battery matters a lot to you. New, it starts at 100%.
  5. It's an important present and you want the experience of unboxing it.

When refurbished makes sense

  1. You want to spend a lot less on a phone that's still very good.
  2. You don't need the latest features. For WhatsApp, social media, photos and browsing, a two-year-old model has power to spare.
  3. You care about the environment: extending a phone's life avoids making another one. We explain why in the environmental impact of making a smartphone.

On each product page you'll see the new and refurbished price side by side, with links to both options.

If you'd rather go refurbished

These are the models that pay off most bought refurbished:

There are more in the best refurbished phones under £300.

In short

There's no single answer: new for current models you'll keep for years; refurbished to save on models one to three years old. On every product page we show both options so you can decide with the facts.

Frequently asked questions

Is refurbished always the better choice?

No. Refurbished pays off most on models one to three years old, where the saving is big. On the newest models the saving is smaller and buying new, with a brand-new battery and the full manufacturer's warranty, can make more sense.

What protection do I get buying new?

In the UK, the Consumer Rights Act applies to new and refurbished goods bought from a business, and new phones also come with the manufacturer's warranty, usually 12 months.

What's the best phone to buy new right now?

For most people, the iPhone 16 if you use an iPhone, and the Galaxy S25 or Pixel 9 if you prefer Android. All three will get updates for many years.

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