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 £253 on Back Market Google Pixel 8: new from £956.12 / refurbished from £185 on Back Market Samsung Galaxy A55: new from £849.44 / refurbished from £165 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 £165 refurbished on Back Market. Best for photos: Google Pixel 7a. Google's computational photography is genuinely exceptional, available from £129 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 £195 refurbished.

Refurbished Android Smartphones

Name: Cheap Android Smartphone Deals | Up to 70% Off vs New |
Brand: Back Market
Price: 370 GBP
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.32 (624081 reviews)

Buy a certified refurbished Android smartphone for less for the same quality as new...

Compare devices

742 products

Trade in to get it for less

Today’s purchase could set you back a lot less when you trade in an old device at the same time.

Going fast

Galaxy S24 Ultra

(4,520)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£370.00

Versus £1,454.68 new

+4 more colours

Going fast

Galaxy S25 Ultra

(1,453)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£547.00

Versus £1,249.00 new

+6 more colours

Galaxy S23

(9,732)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£200.00

Versus £835.80 new

+2 more colours

Galaxy S22 5G

(13,726)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£143.00

Versus £899.00 new

+6 more colours

Galaxy S24

(3,791)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£243.00

Versus £817.67 new

+4 more colours

Galaxy S25

(1,831)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£380.00

Versus £672.62 new

+4 more colours

Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G

(6,530)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£236.00

Versus £1,399.00 new

+4 more colours

Staff pick

Galaxy Z Fold7

(293)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£970.00

Versus £1,799.00 new

Galaxy S25+

(801)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£480.00

Versus £958.39 new

+3 more colours

Galaxy S25 Edge

(139)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£396.00

Versus £1,199.00 new

Galaxy Z Flip6

(1,611)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£311.00

Versus £1,011.35 new

+3 more colours

Galaxy Z Fold6

(860)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£519.00

Versus £1,685.59 new

+4 more colours

Google Pixel 7

(2,508)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£136.75

Versus £756.00 new

Google Pixel 9

(449)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£331.49

Versus £892.46 new

Google Pixel 8

(1,839)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£174.00

Versus £699.99 new

Google Pixel 8 Pro

(1,501)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£284.75

Versus £1,038.11 new

Galaxy S21 5G

(18,980)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£127.00

Versus £859.00 new

+2 more colours

Google Pixel 7A

(1,263)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£130.00

Versus £649.99 new

Galaxy S22+ 5G

(4,753)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£179.00

Versus £1,159.00 new

+4 more colours

Galaxy A54

(1,992)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£129.00

Versus £451.62 new

+1 more colours

Google Pixel 9 Pro

(432)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£392.00

Versus £916.84 new

Google Pixel 7 Pro

(1,731)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£163.25

Versus £899.99 new

Galaxy Z Flip5

(2,463)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£259.00

Versus £1,112.50 new

+2 more colours

Galaxy Z Fold5

(945)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£414.72

Versus £1,627.21 new

Sony Xperia 10 V

(72)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£355.00

Versus £500.00 new

+1 more colours

Galaxy S23 Ultra

(7,452)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£313.00

Versus £1,599.00 new

+4 more colours

Galaxy S24+

(2,228)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£298.00

Versus £997.95 new

+3 more colours

Galaxy S23+

(4,137)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£228.00

Versus £1,019.00 new

+2 more colours

Google Pixel 8a

(573)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£173.00

Versus £467.97 new

+1 more colours

Galaxy S23 FE

(820)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£175.00

Versus £605.75 new

+2 more colours

Galaxy S21 FE 5G

(3,069)

Starting at

Refurbished price:£131.00

Versus £759.00 new

+2 more colours

General

iPhone vs Android: which smartphone is right for you? | Back Market

Confused about iPhone vs Android? Our in-depth comparison of hardware, software, apps, and more will help you choose the perfect smartphone.

Customer reviews for Refurbished Android Smartphones

Overall rating

624,081 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

Clare S.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 12/01/2026, United Kingdom.
Easy to browse and select which phone. Excellent description and spec details on all phones, so choosing was easy. Delivery was very fast and packaging was eco. Phone is just as described, and in excellent working order, as I expected. Very happy 😊 Thank you for offering this excellent refurbished service x
Galaxy S23 128GB - Purple - Unlocked
Galaxy S23 128GB - Purple - 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
31/12/2025
Peter H.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 11/01/2026, United Kingdom.
My phone seems every bit like a brand new phone, and I and very pleased. I was a little apprehensive, as the thought of refurbished was a minor leap of faith, but I now realise that I had absolutely nothing the worry about. I will definitely do it again for my next upgrade.
Galaxy S24+ 256GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy S24+ 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
30/12/2025
Kathrin D.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 16/11/2025, United Kingdom.
Delivered really quickly and it looks flawless! Very pleased with my new phone, I've changed from a Samsung but no issues with the difference as Samsung uses your Google account anyway. First time buying refurbished and would definitely recommend it!
Google Pixel 8 Pro 128GB - Blue - Unlocked
Google Pixel 8 Pro 128GB - 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
10/11/2025
Richard B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 26/07/2025, United Kingdom.
Very pleased with my new Galaxy A55, it looks like a brand new phone, so no complaints. Usually stay away from refurbished but this time I couldn't have made a better decision. Will be coming back to Back Market when my wife needs her phone changing. And using the Samsung software to copy all my details and apps from my old phone was really easy. Well done to both.
Galaxy A55 128GB - Dark Blue - Unlocked
Galaxy A55 128GB - Dark 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
07/07/2025
Emily M.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 05/02/2025, United Kingdom.
First time buying off Back Market and would highly recommend to anyone else that are contemplating buying a refurbished phone from them. My device that I purchased which was a Google Pixel 8 Pro, came in great condition and works perfectly almost as if it truly is a completely brand new phone. Will definitely buy from them again.
Google Pixel 8 Pro 256GB - Blue - Unlocked
Google Pixel 8 Pro 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
20/01/2025
Margaret M.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 09/05/2026, United Kingdom.
I deliberately left my review for a few weeks to give it a good test. I've never purchased a reconditioned phone before so for me it was a gamble. I have nothing but praise for this phone and Back Market. I chose the Fair condition because I knew that I would be using a case so I was prepared for a few scratches etc. I couldn't have been more wrong. My phone arrived in absolute mint condition, not a scratch on it. I kid you not this was in fantastic condition. For a phone that at normal price would have been way out of my reach, I managed to afford to buy it from this site. I would have no hesitation in recommending Back Market and I would have no hesitation in buying from them again. 5* very well deserved. Thanks.
Galaxy Z Flip5 256GB - Grey - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Flip5 256GB - Grey - 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
27/03/2026
Mahir T.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 09/05/2026, United Kingdom.
Really happy with the phone. The refurbished S24+ arrived in excellent condition and looks almost brand new. Everything works perfectly including the camera, screen, speakers, and battery life. The phone feels fast and smooth to use, and the overall quality exceeded my expectations for a refurbished device. There were a few minor micro scratches at the bottom of the phone, but nothing noticeable during normal use. Delivery was quick and the packaging was secure. Would definitely recommend this seller.
Galaxy S24+ 256GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy S24+ 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
05/05/2026
Nicola T.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 06/05/2026, United Kingdom.
Website easy to navigate. Fast despatch. Phone arrived in a perfect condition. Great customer service. Sent old phone back as a trade in but wasn't offered as much as estimated therefore it was posted back to me free of charge. Would recommend Back market if considering a reconditioned phone rather than a new one at double the price.
Galaxy Z Fold7 256GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy Z Fold7 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
21/04/2026
Susan B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 30/04/2026, United Kingdom.
The device is great. Just what I wanted and in pristine condition. There were some settings it took me a while to work out, but that's sorted now. The battery doesn't always last as long other phones I've had, but it charges so fast that it's not really an issue. First reconditioned phone I've ever bought and it's given me confidence to think about getting other reconditioned electronic devices.
Galaxy S22 5G 256GB - Green - Unlocked
Galaxy S22 5G 256GB - Green - Unlocked
See item
Condition
Premium
Close to perfection. The body may have tiny micro-scratches. For items with screens, the screen will be flawless.
Purchased
15/04/2026
Barbara B.
Verified purchase
Reviewed 10/04/2026, United Kingdom.
it's amazing. looks brand new. I cannot believe the quality. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending BackMarket to everyone who wants a second hand phone.
Galaxy A33 5G 128GB - Black - Unlocked
Galaxy A33 5G 128GB - 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
14/03/2026

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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 £253 on Back Market
Google Pixel 8: new from £956.12 / refurbished from £185 on Back Market
Samsung Galaxy A55: new from £849.44 / refurbished from £165 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 £165 refurbished on Back Market.
Best for photos: Google Pixel 7a. Google's computational photography is genuinely exceptional, available from £129 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 £195 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

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Kathrin D.

Richard B.

Emily M.

Margaret M.

Mahir T.

Nicola T.

Susan 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?