What does 'refurbished' mean for an Android phone?

A refurbished Android phone is a device that has been returned, professionally inspected, and restored to full working condition before being resold. It is not a broken phone. It is not a second-hand phone bought from a stranger. It's a device that's been through a structured process, tested against a set of quality checks by certified professionals, and graded honestly before it reaches you. There's a meaningful environmental upside too. Choosing a refurbished Android phone instead of a new one avoids up to 77 kg of CO2e per device, compared to manufacturing a new smartphone from scratch.

Is buying a refurbished Android phone worth it?

Yes. A refurbished Android phone is worth buying when three conditions are met: the seller is certified, the phone comes with a warranty, and you have a return window. On Back Market, all three apply as standard. The typical saving on a refurbished Android phone is 30 to 70% compared to the new retail price. The Back Market Guarantee covers any functional defect not mentioned in the listing, for a minimum of 12 months. You also get 30 days to return the phone if it doesn't meet your expectations, no questions asked. The only real trade-off is cosmetic. Depending on the grade you choose, the phone may carry light marks or signs of use. Performance, network compatibility, and software are identical to new.

Do refurbished Android phones come with a warranty?

Yes. Every Android phone sold on Back Market comes with the Back Market Guarantee, a commercial warranty that covers any functional defect not already disclosed in the product listing. The minimum duration is 12 months, starting from the date of delivery. You also have a 30-day right of return if the phone simply doesn't suit you. Extended warranty plans are available at checkout for longer peace of mind.

How much cheaper is a refurbished Android phone compared to new?

Savings depend on the model and condition grade, but they're typically significant. Here are current price comparisons based on live Back Market listings: Samsung Galaxy S24: new from £1,750.49 / refurbished from £259 on Back Market Google Pixel 8: new from £956.12 / refurbished from £199 on Back Market Samsung Galaxy A55: new from £849.44 / refurbished from £168 on Back Market On average, buyers save between £80 and £400 depending on the model. The newer and more premium the handset, the larger the absolute saving tends to be.

Which Android phone should I buy on a budget in the UK?

The right Android phone depends on how you use it. Here's a straightforward breakdown by use case: Best value overall: Samsung Galaxy A55. Reliable, 5G-ready, solid camera, available from £168 refurbished on Back Market. Best for photos: Google Pixel 7a. Google's computational photography is genuinely exceptional, available from £140 refurbished. Best battery life: Motorola Moto G50. Consistently strong battery life in the budget tier, available from £73.97 refurbished. Best premium for less: Samsung Galaxy S23. Flagship-grade specs, available from £199 refurbished.

Refurbished Android Smartphones

Name: Cheap Android Smartphone Deals | Up to 70% Off vs New | - Page 25
Brand: Back Market
Rating: 4.32 (622559 reviews)

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Customer reviews for Refurbished Android Smartphones

Overall rating

622,559 verified reviews

Rating details

Accessories
4.1/5
Appearance
4.4/5
Battery
4.1/5
Lens & Camera
4.5/5
Overall performance
4.2/5
Packaging
4.5/5
Shipping
4.5/5

Reviews

Mahipalsinh C.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 28/05/2026, United Kingdom.
I was worried about phone because spending money in refurbished phone make more risky, this is 3rd time I'm buying product from here my experience was on 2time while buying watch was really bad but this time when i got my z fold in my hand it as incredible and i notice only 1 minor and vere very tiny 1 scratch on scree but i was not much visible until you see deeply rest of other things were like brand new so happy still using phone with no issues.
Galaxy Z Fold7 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Fold7 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
24/04/2026
Peter D.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 06/04/2026, United Kingdom.
I was a bit sceptical about buying a refurbished phone, I had nothing to worry about the phone came in pristine condition and at a fantastic price, almost 50% off the price of a new phone. Packaging was good and delivered on time. I would highly recommend buyingfrom Back Market.
Galaxy Z Flip7 256GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Flip7 256GB - Black - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
24/03/2026
Roger U.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 06/02/2026, United Kingdom.
I could not believe the condition of this phone it was just like new. I currently have the Zflip 4 but the hinge has gone so was unable to close it as the phone would shut down.So I now look forward to using this phone it’s right what people say your company is the best for refurbished
Galaxy Z Flip6 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Flip6 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Excellent
Almost no signs of wear. The body may have very light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
04/02/2026
Christopher B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 29/11/2025, United Kingdom.
Good value. I ordered a good condition phone and very happy with the condition of the phone I received. Very fast shipping. I only purchase reconditioned phones and have done so for many years. Back Market are my go to supplier and have always been impressed with both the phones and purchasing experience. In my case I usually by Samsung S series Android phones and typically buy a model that is two models down from the latest model. So I purchased a month ago a Samsung S23+ 256GB good condition and the latest model on sale is the S25. The saving of buying an older model and one that is reconditioned is considerable and is something that I will continue to do in the future. I intend to keep my phone for a couple of years and then buy a reconditioned S25 equivalent when that model has been superseded by newer models and is therefore very good value buying a reconditioned one. If you trade in your old phone you can get an even better price as a result.
Galaxy S23+ 256GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy S23+ 256GB - Black - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
29/10/2025
Stephen S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 20/11/2025, United Kingdom.
My husband suggested I buy this model, as he has one. My old phone was slow, and kept crashing, but the Samsung is so much better, faster and user-friendly. It was refurbished, but looked brand-new, and arrived promptly. Great quality and value.
Galaxy A32 5G 64GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy A32 5G 64GB - Black - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
04/11/2025
Tetiana O.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 05/02/2026, United Kingdom.
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra arrived very fast. I ordered the one in fair condition, but it is in pristine condition! Runs fast and smooth, cameras are great. The lenses are like new. You can see on the images. I am very happy with a purchase!
Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB - Green - Unlocked
Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB - Green - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
07/01/2026
Geoff M.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 23/02/2026, United Kingdom.
After a week with the Galaxy Z Fold7 from BackMarket I am VERY happy. I am very happy with the condition of the phone and, compared to the S22 Ultra that it has replaced, it is noticeably faster and is very easy to use.
Galaxy Z Fold7 512GB - Blue - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Fold7 512GB - Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
13/02/2026
Shanebgill68@gmail.com G.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 14/09/2025, United Kingdom.
Had heard of back Market but not used them before. Was in 2 minds whether to order from them but on reading reviews thought I would give them a try. Pleasantly surprised. The delivery was fast, the condition of the phone was better than expected . I had a note 20 ultra previously but changed for a different Samsung galaxy but couldn't get on with it and wanted to get another note 20 but as they no longer sell them new had to get a refurbished. Glad I did
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G 256GB - Bronze - Unlocked
Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G 256GB - Bronze - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
31/08/2025
Fiona B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 28/05/2026, United Kingdom.
Device is great. I bought the "fair" option and very impressed with how fresh the phone looks. Have used back market many times. The phone I am typing this on is a Samsung from over a year ago. Its my longest standing phone!
Galaxy S22+ 5G 256GB - Green - Unlocked
Galaxy S22+ 5G 256GB - Green - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Fair
Signs of wear. The body may have a few visible scratches and dents. Items with screens may have light scratches.
Purchased
12/05/2026
Ryan B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 20/05/2026, United Kingdom.
Bought a Samsung s25 ultra 512gb model, device was delivered earlier than expected, opted for the good condition, which came and was in excellent condition with limited signs of use. Battery health was 99%. Colour requested was blue-silver but appears more on the white side, overall would definitely use again for future purchases.
Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB - Silver Blue - Unlocked
Galaxy S25 Ultra 512GB - Silver Blue - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Good
Light signs of wear. The body may have light micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will have no scratches.
Purchased
14/05/2026

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Refurbished Android Smartphones FAQs

A refurbished Android phone is a device that has been returned, professionally inspected, and restored to full working condition before being resold. It is not a broken phone. It is not a second-hand phone bought from a stranger. It's a device that's been through a structured process, tested against a set of quality checks by certified professionals, and graded honestly before it reaches you. There's a meaningful environmental upside too. Choosing a refurbished Android phone instead of a new one avoids up to 77 kg of CO2e per device, compared to manufacturing a new smartphone from scratch.
Yes. A refurbished Android phone is worth buying when three conditions are met: the seller is certified, the phone comes with a warranty, and you have a return window. On Back Market, all three apply as standard.
The typical saving on a refurbished Android phone is 30 to 70% compared to the new retail price. The Back Market Guarantee covers any functional defect not mentioned in the listing, for a minimum of 12 months. You also get 30 days to return the phone if it doesn't meet your expectations, no questions asked. The only real trade-off is cosmetic. Depending on the grade you choose, the phone may carry light marks or signs of use. Performance, network compatibility, and software are identical to new.
Yes. Every Android phone sold on Back Market comes with the Back Market Guarantee, a commercial warranty that covers any functional defect not already disclosed in the product listing. The minimum duration is 12 months, starting from the date of delivery. You also have a 30-day right of return if the phone simply doesn't suit you. Extended warranty plans are available at checkout for longer peace of mind.
Savings depend on the model and condition grade, but they're typically significant. Here are current price comparisons based on live Back Market listings:
Samsung Galaxy S24: new from £1,750.49 / refurbished from £259 on Back Market
Google Pixel 8: new from £956.12 / refurbished from £199 on Back Market
Samsung Galaxy A55: new from £849.44 / refurbished from £168 on Back Market
On average, buyers save between £80 and £400 depending on the model. The newer and more premium the handset, the larger the absolute saving tends to be.
The right Android phone depends on how you use it. Here's a straightforward breakdown by use case:
Best value overall: Samsung Galaxy A55. Reliable, 5G-ready, solid camera, available from £168 refurbished on Back Market.
Best for photos: Google Pixel 7a. Google's computational photography is genuinely exceptional, available from £140 refurbished.
Best battery life: Motorola Moto G50. Consistently strong battery life in the budget tier, available from £73.97 refurbished.
Best premium for less: Samsung Galaxy S23. Flagship-grade specs, available from £199 refurbished.

Benefits of buying a refurbished Android smartphone

At Back Market, customers save up to 50% off compared to the price of new on certified refurbished Android smartphone models. The best part is, you don't have to sacrifice performance quality in order to save money; all refurbished devices on our marketplace have been fully reconditioned, cleaned, inspected and tested to the same standards as a new one. This is the biggest difference between buying a used or second hand Android smartphone compared to a refurbished one.

Buying a reconditioned Android smartphone is also an environmentally friendly option. A refurbished Android smartphone is often a second hand device that has been restored and updated to meet manufacturer standards, which means you'll be helping to keep old Android smartphones out of our landfills, reduce electronic waste, and minimise your carbon footprint.

Where to find a cheap refurbished Android smartphone?

If you're looking for cheaper Android smartphone options and don't want to pay full price, you'll find the biggest selection, highest product quality and lowest prices on restored Android smartphone models at Back Market. That's because we specialise specifically in refurbished tech and take the time to carefully vet every seller on our marketplace to ensure customers are getting reliable devices that perform like-new. We have several refurbed Android smartphone in price ranges to fit almost anyone's budget.

Staying true to our brand, we're also a huge advocate for environmental change. In fact, at the beginning of 2023, we hit a milestone for preventing 1 million tons of carbon emission (CO2e) from entering the atmosphere. You can help contribute to a better circular economy when you shop Android smartphone deals on our platform.

What to expect when buying a refurbished Android smartphone?

If you're a first time refurbished buyer, you might not be sure what to expect from your purchase. First, understand that your Android smartphone may have external cosmetic flaws depending on the condition you choose (Back Market offers devices of Fair, Good and Excellent quality). However, whatever the condition, any external blemishes will not affect the performance of your Android smartphone and you can expect your device to perform as if it were newly opened directly from the store.

You should also be confident that your Android smartphone is backed by a 1-year warranty, meaning in the rare case that any defects arise (outside of accidental damage) within 12 months of your delivery date, then you're entitled to your choice of a repair, replacement or reimbursement.

Android smartphone warranty and return policy with Back Market

All Android smartphone purchases on Back Market come with free standard shipping, a 1-year warranty, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. We want to make sure you can shop with confidence and find the best Android smartphone for your needs at lower prices.

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Reviews

Reviews

Mahipalsinh C.

Peter D.

Roger U.

Christopher B.

Stephen S.

Tetiana O.

Geoff M.

Shanebgill68@gmail.com G.

Fiona B.

Ryan B.

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Refurbished Android Smartphones FAQs

What does 'refurbished' mean for an Android phone?

Is buying a refurbished Android phone worth it?

Do refurbished Android phones come with a warranty?

How much cheaper is a refurbished Android phone compared to new?

Which Android phone should I buy on a budget in the UK?