Giffgaff Review – 3 Reasons to Buy a Refurbished Phone

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With the most desired mobile phones costing in the region of £1000, buying a refurbished phone could be a good option if you’re looking to save some serious cash. That’s why I’ve agreed to create this Giffgaff review of one of their refurbished phone.

We are all familiar with the idea of second-hand clothes and furniture, but not so many of us are comfortable with the idea of second-hand phones. Buying a refurbished phone wont only save you lots of money but it’s also better for the environment.

In this article, we will explore some of the key advantages of refurbished phones and I review a giffgaff refurbished iPhone.

woman using a refurbished phone in bed (giffgaff phones review)

giffgaff pre owned phones review


What exactly does ‘refurbished’ mean?

Refurbished phones are examined and repaired by a tech savvy specialist. The repair process involves resetting a used phone to it’s factory settings. After the repair process the phone should function the same way as a brand new phone. In most cases, you can expect the phone to have some small signs of wear and tear such as artificial scratches. One important consideration when buying a refurbished phone is to buy from a trustworthy source that offers you a warranty.

The giffgaff refurbished phones and refurbished laptops are categorised based on their condition so that you can make in informed choice of whats best for your budget. Here are the categories:

  • Good: Loved by their previous owners, so you might see more wear and tear.
  • Very Good: Phones that have enjoyed a few rides in pockets and bags, so might have a few marks.
  • Excellent: May have light marks on the body, but we make sure the screens look pristine and that they run like new.
  • Like New: So good, you’ll think it’s brand new.

Reasons to buy refurbished

There are two main reasons people choose to buy a refurbished phone: to save money and sustainability.

Like most technology, the value of a smartphone declines very quickly, meaning that your expensive new gadget won’t be worth as much as it was the week before. By buying a refurbished phone you can save £100’s off the original price. And because you’ve already bought it ‘used’ you won’t be reducing the value of it just by using it some more.

You will save even more money if you choose to buy a refurbished phone upfront rather than getting stuck in the cycle of long-term contracts. 66% of phone owners are tied into contracts with 46% of us wasting an average of £92 by staying in ones that are past their expiry. Double your savings by buying refurbished and finding a good sim-only deal.

If you care about the environment, buying refurbished rather than brand new is a great way to do your bit for the planet! Reusing a recycled phone is a great way to prolong its lifespan and encourage companies to not produce more unnecessary units. If you’re conscious about your carbon footprint, buying refurbished will help you do your bit to lower your consumption.


My giffgaff refurbished review

My refurbished iPhone X is from giffgaff and is “like new”. It came delivered with free next day business delivery and in recycled packing. Other than a few tiny scratches to the side of the phone it looks brand new, the screen and camera are in perfect condition – I’m very impressed with the customer service here. To buy upfront this refurbished phone costs £479 from giffgaff; to buy new you can expect to pay between £649-£899!

Previous to my refurbished phone I had bought two brand new iPhone’s that broke within a month of the warranty from Apple ending. I will only buy refurbished from now on as I’ll save £100’s, it’s better for the environment and I’ll get the same warranty as I would when buying a brand new phone – it’s a no brainer!

The team at giffgaff do tests to make sure all refurbished ‘like new’ phones run perfectly and all data is cleansed. They state that the condition of the phone is so good, you’ll think it’s brand new. In fact, most of these are new; they’ve been bought new and returned unused. Additionally, you’ll get a 12-month warranty on all giffgaff refurbished phones to demonstrate their confidence that their phone is good to go!

I also received a free sim card from giffgaff. I get to select which monthly deal works best for me and have chosen the £10 golden goodybag deal. The golden goodybag includes 9GB data, unlimited texts, unlimited minutes and 50% more data when I set my plan to recur each month – winner!


giffgaff review highlights

Boasting a consumer-centric approach, giffgaff is a contract-free mobile network ‘run by you’. Fun fact – giffgaff is a Scottish expression that means mutual giving. One of my favourite giffgaff perks is that when you’re about to run out of data giffgaff will give you an extra 1GB free! Here are some more giffgaff perks:

  • Eco-friendly packaging – all giffgaff phones come in recycled packaging.
  • Free delivery –  giffgaff refurbished phones come with free next day business delivery if you order before midnight.
  • Best plan advice – use your monthly usage to make sure you get the best value goodybag next time. 
  • Flexibility – change or cancel your goodybag at any time. The newly released golden goodybag offers unlimited texts, unlimited minutes and 9GB of data – bargain!
  • Sell my phone – recycle your old phone easy.

Set a reminder for the 27th November as giffgaff will be releasing a range of refurbished phone Black Friday deals.


Important Considerations When Buying a Refurbished Phone

When buying a refurbished phone, there are a few things you should consider. Always look for a warranty. The warranty you get should be comprehensive – giffgaff offer a 12-month warranty as standard!

The next most important thing is a returns policy. Without the right to return, you could be stuck with a broken phone. The length of the returns policy matters too. When you buy one of giffgaff refurbished phones, you can return it within 21 days if you change your mind or 30 days if it’s faulty.


More ways to save money on your mobile phone

  • Go sim only. If you’re able to, buying a phone upfront and choosing a sim only deal is usually always cheaper than a 12 or 24 month contract. You can tailor the texts and data to your requirements.
  • Download the airtime rewards app. Airtime Rewards allows you to automatically earn money every time you shop at selected retailers, you can then use this money to pay off your phone bill! Use code D4E3EPAA when you sign up for bonus money.
  • Check for a discount. Lots of mobile contract providers offer discounts for Students and NHS workers – ask in store or check their website!
  • Use a comparison site. You can us a comparison site to compare the prices of almost every contact and phone.
  • Buy refurbished. Not only is it better for the environment but it will also save you lots of money. Just make sure that the phone you’re buying comes with a warranty!

In conclusion, buying a refurbished phone is a smart and cost-effective choice. Not only will you save money, but you will also enjoy high-quality features and help reduce e-waste. So, if you are in the market for a new phone, consider purchasing a refurbished model – you won’t regret it! My mind has completely changed – I will only be buying refurbished from now on.

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