Best mobile phone for teenagers | All you need to know about refurbished smartphones Australia
And all of a sudden, I am the mother of a teenager!
I am not so sure where the time went, it certainly flew past in the blink of an eye! My baby is no longer a baby and, unsurprisingly, she wants her first mobile phone. She has been wanting it for a while and I resisted and resisted!
I am finally giving in!
Even though there’s a part of me who is still apprehensive of the online world (I am also considering a net nanny), as a high school student who is often out and about on public transport, I think the moment has arrived.
So, what is the best option for an older kid or teenagers’ first mobile phone?
Of course, she wants the latest model with an unlimited plan, but that ain’t gonna happen! After reading many discussion forums, I decided to go for a refurbished phone with a prepaid plan – this could change in the future, but I figured it was a nice baby step into the world of teen mobile!
I am sure I am not the only parent in the world who does not trust their often forgetful and careless child with an expensive item – so, let’s face it, the cheaper the better.
What is a refurbished mobile phone? What is the advantage?
Refurbished smartphones are mobile phones that are in good to excellent ‘as-new’ condition, however, they are not ‘brand new- in the box’. Their functionality is comparable to a brand new phone, but they might have some minor scratches and some ‘corner wear’ – which you probably would get anyway within days after getting a brand new phone. The biggest advantage of a refurbished phone is its price – much cheaper than a brand new phone.
Where can I buy a refurbished smartphone?
You can buy them in retail stores (including Coles) and online – see below online options. Usually, the range available online is much wider than what you find in a physical store.
What are the main online suppliers of refurbished mobile phones?
There are many options and sometimes too many options can give you headaches – I certainly get one when I get information overload. So, I will try to keep this simple:
OzMobiles
OzMobiles offer refurbished iPhones, Android (various models), smart watches, tablets, MacBook and different accessories. You may also sell your old device through OzMobiles. Other features include a 12-month warranty and 30-day return policy.
Boost Mobile
Boost offers refurbished smartphones (iPhones and Andriod), iPads and smart Watches. They are also a provider of mobile phone plans. Boost Mobile often offers a discount for a mobile device + plan combo and you can bring your old number.
Kogan Mobile
Giant e-commerce Kogan is another popular refurbished mobile supplier. Like most big e-stores, you can find all sorts of things there: Apple, Samsung, other Andriod and lots of other devices and accessories. Kogan also offers pre-paid plans.
Can you find refurbished Android and refurbished iPhones?
Yes, there are many models of Andriod and Apple iPhones available on the market. The oldest models tend to be up to five years old.
Are all refurbished phones of similar quality?
From a functional standpoint, they are all very similar and comparable to a brand new phone, but the appearance may differ from slightly scratched only to scratches plus lining and external colour wear.
Suppliers may classify them as good, very good, ex-demo (those that have only been used for demonstration purposes). Some might have a ‘grade’ system such as A or B.
Do refurbished smartphones come with broken or cracked glass/screens?
No. The ‘worse’ case scenario may include scratches and colour/lining wear and tear, but no cracked screen.
Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?
Generally speaking, yes, most will have a one-year warranty. If the supplier does not offer such a warranty, be cautious! There are many options on the market offering a one-year warranty, my recommendation is to go for those.
Are refurbished phones the same as second-hand?
Although they can’t be considered brand new, they are as-new. The standards of quality for a refurbished device are far superior if compared to a second-hand phone. They have been professionally checked, wiped out of any data downloaded in previous use and must meet high standards before they can be offered on the market.
What are the pros and cons of refurbished phones?
Pros are:
Cheaper price
As-new
Warranty
No lock-in contracts
Quick availability
Cons include:
May contain scratches and marks
Older models compared to brand new phones
Final Thoughts on Refurbished Phones
The quality of refurbished mobile phones is so good that I have decided when I need to upgrade my own phone, I will go for a refurbished as well. The cheaper price and the lack of expensive lock-in contracts are definitely a big attraction.
When you can get a bargain without compromising on quality, that’s a win-win.
