It’s always a nuisance when you find out your smartphone needs replacing, but it’s particularly frustrating when you have limited money to replace it. Sometimes it feels like as soon as you need to tighten your budget, that’s when you’ll lose your phone in a public place, drop it and break it, or unplug it from its charger only to find that the battery is almost flat again before you even leave the house. You desperately need a phone that works, but with bills to pay and food to put on the table, how do you upgrade your phone on a budget?
If the cost of new smartphones has put you off buying from retail outlets and department stores, you’re not alone. Sales of second-hand smartphones are at an all-time high as consumers cut back on living costs and become increasingly aware of the environmental impact of manufacturing new smartphones.
Luckily buying second-hand doesn’t have to mean settling for older smartphone models that have out-of-date features or may not receive updates. Many second-hand shoppers are still interested in relatively recent models like the iPhone 12, iPhone 13 or iPhone 14. They’re just saving themselves some money by getting pre-loved versions of them.
Refurbished phones allow you to pick up a new phone at second-hand prices but avoid the risks that often come with buying new phones online, such as not getting a warranty with your purchase. They open up a wide range of options. You can easily buy cheap iPhone 14s refurbished along with countless other iPhone, Samsung Galaxy and other Android models.
Whether you’re looking for cheap refurbished Android phones or recent iPhone models, here’s the OzMobiles guide to how to upgrade your phone on a budget. Choose refurbished, and you can find a phone you’re happy with for even less than you expect.
What Are Refurbished Phones?
A refurbished phone is more than just a second-hand smartphone. It’s a used phone that has been put through a detailed process of testing and repair to be restored to full working order. Retailers and manufacturers have their own ways of carrying out phone refurbishment, but usually, the process involves performing a factory reset on the phone and wiping the existing data, removing customisations, repairing or replacing damaged parts like screens or microphones and ensuring the battery life is up to scratch.
One of the main differences between refurbished phones and new ones is that while new phones are commonly sold with the previous owner’s data erased, no repairs are carried out. You take standard used phones as they come, including the wear and tear. Refurbished phones are still sold in various conditions, which is why they’re sold in grades. But apart from some superficial scratches and marks, they’re almost identical to new ones in terms of quality.
Buying refurbished doesn’t have to mean settling for ageing phones, either. If you want to get your hands on a cheap refurbished iPhone 14, you can find one at a far more affordable price than a brand-new iPhone 14.
Refurbished Phone Grades
Like all retailers, OzMobiles has its own grading system for our cheap refurbished iPhones and Android phones. Our main categories are:
Brand New
These iPhones and Androids have never been used and come with their full manufacturer’s warranties included. Some have been taken out of their boxes, but only for quality checks.
Ex-demo
These are the phones you’ve previously seen on display in stores for potential customers to look at. They’re in an ‘As New’ condition and range from zero to very faint marks.
Excellent
A refurbished phone graded as ‘Excellent’ is in a fully functioning condition with minimal markings. The screen is in terrific condition with minor scratches, dents etc., not visible at arm’s length.
Very Good
A fully functional device with scratches on the screen at arm’s length, these more weathered devices are sold at exceptionally affordable prices.
Refurbished phones are available in many different makes and models as well as grades and conditions, from Samsung Galaxies to cheap iPhone 14s. It’s easy to find a phone that suits your needs and budget.
Budget-Friendly Phones
Looking for suggestions for your next mobile phone? From cheap refurbished iPhone 14s to second-hand Galaxys and Pixels, there are many second-hand smartphones on the market that you can pick up for bargain prices with OzMobiles. Here are a few of the best bargains:
iPhone 14 refurbished
The iPhone 14 was already a comparatively affordable iPhone when it was released in 2022. A cheap iPhone 14 refurbished is an even better deal. With a fast A15 Bionic chip and a great camera with Action Mode video and safety features like crash detection and emergency satellite SOS, this phone is ideal if you’re looking for an all-rounder that suits a variety of lifestyles. But if you’d prefer a larger battery and screen size, check out a cheap refurbished iPhone 14 Plus instead.
Samsung Galaxy A71 refurbished
Samsung’s first affordable 5G phone, released in 2020, is still a winner. It’s a durable and well-designed phone with enough features to please any serious Samsung lover. It comes with a long battery life, a top-notch camera and a vibrant 6.7-inch OLED display.
Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G refurbished
A tablet and a smartphone literally folded into one, the flashy and hi-tech Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 5G was ground-breaking for Samsung smartphones. Its high level of quality and tech advancement also gave it its high price tag, which you can now avoid by buying it refurbished. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 has a suite of five cameras, a long battery life and a taskbar that makes multitasking (one of Samsung’s strengths) even simpler.
Google Pixel 6 Pro refurbished
If you prefer Android-style smartphones, Google’s Pixel phones are as easy to use and perform just as well as the company’s search engine does. The Tensor chip uses artificial intelligence to power features like the Magic Eraser for photographs. The Google Pixel 6 Pro is also beautifully designed and comes with state-of-the-art triple rear cameras.
Upgrade Your Phone at OzMobiles
If you’re ready to upgrade your phone on a budget, OzMobiles has all the options you need. Check out our cheap refurbished iPhone 14 series, or get your hands on a Samsung Galaxy A71 phone. If you really want to get the most out of your money, take a look at our clearance range for savings of up to a grand or more on cheap refurbished Android phones and iPhones.
OzMobiles is committed to saving you money and providing you with a good deal without having to buy new. Our high standards of quality make upgrading your phone on a budget with us a safer bet than taking your chance on an online marketplace. Every device we sell is fully functional and sold with a 12-month warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee. We also make sure your battery health is at peak performance with at least 80% capacity.
We offer a price-beat guarantee on our cheap, refurbished Android phones and iPhones. If you’ve found a better deal elsewhere, we’ll beat that price by $10 (terms and conditions apply). And if you’re on a tight budget, you can buy now and pay later through providers like ZipPay, AfterPay and PayPal Pay in 4.
If you have any questions or need help making your selection, contact the OzMobiles team!
