How to make big savings on a second-hand phone

Buying the latest smartphone is tempting, but it can be an expensive purchase. Choosing a second-hand or refurbished model can help you spend less and shop more sustainably, and with phone technology getting better and better in the last five years, you'll be compromising less on your phone's performance than you might think. 

With eBay and other large second-hand phone retailers - like CeX, Music Magpie and Envirofone - increasingly promoting deals on second-hand and refurbished products, it's never been a better time to take the plunge. 

If you're new to buying second-hand, there are a couple of traps to watch out for. We let you know what to expect from a second-hand phone, which grade of phone to choose, and how to buy a handset that's supported with important security updates.

Browse reviews of the most popular mobile phones only available second-hand to weigh up your options, and find out which unsupported phones to avoid.

What to look out for when buying a second-hand phone

Second-hand phone grades on test

All second-hand phones have had a different first life, meaning they'll perform differently. But the phone's description or grade should give you a guide on what to expect. 

We determined this when we sent six second-hand phones from CeX to our lab for extensive testing. 

• Grade A phones should be 'like new' and they were in perfect condition, but Grade A phones sometimes aren't much cheaper than buying new 
• We found some major gripes with one of the Grade C models - including a heavily-scratched screen and a broken camera lens - suggesting cheapest isn't always the way to go 
• Grade B or phones in a 'good condition' are most likely to give you balance between getting the best price and a good-working phone.

Find out more about second-hand phone grades and our lab test in our guide to buying the best second-hand phone.

How can I make sure I'm getting a good device?

Our lab tests revealed a range of issues with lower grade models, so it's helpful to run through some quick checks in the shop or when you first receive your second-hand phone to make sure everything is working as it should.

1. Do all the cameras work? Check that the rear cameras and front-facing cameras are working, as well as any software features like Portrait mode, Night mode, or when you try to zoom in and out.
2. Did the phone come with all the promised accessories, and are they working properly? Some phones come with chargers, earphones and even protective cases. Check with the seller what to expect and then make sure they are in good-working condition.
3. Are the physical buttons and ports working? It might be a big problem if you find yourself with faulty power or volume buttons, so be sure to check they are working. 

Second-hand phones should come with a warranty (unless you buy it from an individual seller). These warranties should cover faults in the phone so be sure to claim if anything isn't working. If something isn't working that isn't covered by your warranty, check our our mobile phone repair guide as you might be able to find a cheap and hassle-free repair.

You'll also get basic protection under the Consumer Rights Act, including the right to return your purchase within 30 days if the phone isn't as described, fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality.

Are second-hand devices secure?

Any device that's connected to the internet needs regular security updates from its manufacturer to keep it secure and less vulnerable to data attacks. Unfortunately, there are a number of older, second-hand phones being sold that are no longer being updated. 

Security update periods are confusing - they're usually from the day the phone is launched on to the UK market, not from the day you buy it, and they're not widely advertised. Support periods even vary between specific phones, not just between manufacturers. 

The best are supported for at least five years, but some are barely supported for two years.

At Which? we'll always alert you when a phone is suspected to be out of support in our mobile phone reviews, where you can also filter for phones with two or more years of support left. Or find out when your phone is estimated to lose security support using our online tool in our guide to mobile phone security.

Looking to compare to buying a new phone? See our top picks in our Best mobile phone and Sim-only deals.

Where to buy a second-hand phone

There are lots of places you can buy a second-hand phone, and you don't necessarily have to pay for them upfront, with some retailers offering contracts.

Amazon, Back Market and eBay

Amazon, eBay and Back Market are all online marketplaces that have different buying options. 

On the Amazon Renewed Store and eBay certified refurbished, second-hand phones comes with a guarantee and a warranty, with Amazon and eBay both offering a one-year warranty as standard. But you can also buy phones directly from third-party sellers on Amazon and eBay, which might not give you a guarantee or a warranty. 

Back Market provides a marketplace to connect individual sellers with customers looking to buy second-hand devices. This means that any warranties on offer are the responsibility of the sellers, not Back Market itself. But Back Market does claim to demand mandatory verifications from sellers and checks on some of the devices.

Second-hand retailers

Large second-hand retailers such as CeX, Envirofone, Music Magpie, and The Big Phone Store stock various Android phones and iPhones. The phones are graded by letter (usually Grade A to Grade C), or by description (such as 'pristine' or 'good'). 

Some of the phones might have been refurbished, such as with new screens or batteries, or they will just sell on the phone if its in decent nick. 

Most of these retailers offer a warranty from 12 to 24 months.

Mobile phone providers

Some mobile phone providers sell refurbished phones, which includes O2, Vodafone, VOXI and GiffGaff. Some of these providers have stand-alone shops too if you'd prefer to go in and speak to someone about buying a refurbished phone, but it's likely you'll have to order it online afterwards. You'll be locked into a contract with the phone provider you buy the phone from, but it means you can pay for the handset monthly. 

If you buy a second-hand handset from a retailer, your rights are usually the same as if it was new. This means you have the right to return your purchase within 30 days if the phone isn't as described, fit for purpose or of satisfactory quality. If you discover a fault within the first six months, it is up to the retailer to prove it wasn't there at the point of sale. The right to return remains the same if you buy it from a marketplace like Back Market. 

Buying from a private seller directly leaves you less protected and without the six-month return window, and it can be harder to claim a full refund. 

Read more on where to buy a second-hand phone and your rights when buying second-hand goods. 

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