Buy a refurbished iPhone or Samsung when the model is one or two generations old, the seller is a professional and the battery health is at least 80%. In that case, yes, it is worth it: you pay 5% to 40% less than for the same phone new, according to a Test Achats price study from November 2025, and a professional seller in Belgium must give you a legal warranty of at least one year, and two years unless the shorter period was clearly stated before you bought. The savings are small on the newest models, so this guide shows where refurbished makes sense, what to check before you pay and which models give you the most phone for your money in 2026.
Compared on | New | Refurbished | Second hand (private seller) |
|---|---|---|---|
Price | Full price | 5% to 40% less | Often the cheapest |
Legal warranty in Belgium | 2 years | At least 1 year, 2 years by default | None |
Tested and repaired | Not needed | Yes, by the seller | No |
Battery health | 100% | Usually 80% or more | Unknown until you check |
What does refurbished mean?
A refurbished phone is a used phone that a professional has tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and fully reset before selling it again. That is the real difference with a second hand phone from a private seller, which you buy as it is and without a legal warranty. A refurbished iPhone or Samsung usually has a new or checked battery, replaced parts where something was broken, and a grade that describes how it looks.
How much do you really save?
Expect the biggest discounts on phones that came out one or two years ago. In its November 2025 study of Samsung and Apple models across 15 retailers, Test Achats found that refurbished phones become really interesting 8 to 12 months after a model's release. Older models such as the iPhone 14 and Galaxy S23 Ultra showed the largest discounts, while the newest flagships were only slightly cheaper than new.
Phone age | Typical saving on refurbished | Our advice |
|---|---|---|
Less than 1 year old | Small | Buy new or wait |
1 to 2 generations old | Largest | Best moment to buy refurbished |
4 years old or more | Large, but fewer years of updates left | Check software support first |
Compare the refurbished price with the current price of the phone new, not with its original launch price, because that is how many deals look bigger than they are.
What to check before you buy a refurbished phone
Check these six points before you pay, because there is no single standard for refurbished phones and every seller uses its own grades.
Check | What good looks like |
|---|---|
Seller | A professional seller or refurbishing company, so the legal warranty applies |
Warranty | At least 1 year, and 2 years unless a shorter period was clearly stated |
Battery health | At least 80%, and some specialists guarantee 85% or more |
Grade | Read the description and photos, because "grade A" means something different at every seller |
Software updates | The model still receives iOS or Android security updates for years to come |
eSIM and network | The phone supports eSIM and is not locked to one network |
Battery health matters more than a small scratch. A phone with 80% battery capacity lasts noticeably less on a full charge than a new one, so if you use your phone heavily, pay a little more for a higher battery percentage or a new battery.
Refurbished iPhone or refurbished Samsung?
Choose a refurbished iPhone for long software support at almost any age, and a refurbished Samsung for a bigger discount on a recent model. Apple's iOS 27, released in September 2026, runs on the iPhone 11 and every newer model, so even a 2019 iPhone still gets the latest software. Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates for the Galaxy S24 and newer flagships, while older models such as the Galaxy S23 get fewer years of updates.
Feature | Refurbished iPhone | Refurbished Samsung |
|---|---|---|
Software updates | Around 6 to 7 years per model | 7 years from the Galaxy S24 onwards |
Price drop | Slower, so iPhones keep their value | Faster, so discounts are often bigger |
eSIM support | iPhone XS, XR and newer | Galaxy S20 and newer flagships |
Best choice for | Long use and resale value | The most phone for your budget |
Which refurbished phones are worth buying in 2026?
Pick a model that is one or two generations old and still has several years of updates ahead of it. These models offer the best balance of price and future support right now:
Model | Why it is worth it |
|---|---|
iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro | USB C charging, a strong camera and years of iOS updates left |
iPhone 14 | Among the largest refurbished discounts in the Test Achats study |
iPhone 13 | A budget choice that still runs iOS 27 |
Samsung Galaxy S24 | Seven years of updates, supported until 2031 |
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra | A big discount on a premium phone, with fewer years of updates left |
Is a refurbished phone good for eSIM?
Yes, a refurbished phone works perfectly with an eSIM, as long as the model supports it and is not locked to one network. Be careful with iPhones that were first sold in the United States: from the iPhone 14 onwards, those models have no SIM card slot and work with eSIM only. After you buy, follow our used phone checklist to check the IMEI number, make sure no previous account is still linked and set up your own eSIM.
A smarter phone deserves a smarter connection
A refurbished iPhone or Samsung is one of the easiest ways to pay less for a great phone, and your mobile connection should follow the same logic. Firsty is built around eSIM, so your phone connects to local networks automatically wherever you travel: no SIM card to swap, no roaming setting to remember, no zone chart to check and no surprise bill. Every connection Firsty sells also connects someone in Belgium who needs one, not as charity, but as how the business works. Things are moving, so keep an eye on what Firsty is building and discover more at Firsty.app.
FAQ
Is it worth buying a refurbished iPhone?
Yes, a refurbished iPhone is worth it when the model is one or two generations old, the battery health is at least 80% and you buy from a professional seller with a warranty. Test Achats found savings of 5% to 40% compared with new, with the biggest discounts on older models such as the iPhone 14. On the newest iPhones, the price difference is usually too small to be worth it.
What warranty do you get on a refurbished phone in Belgium?
A professional seller in Belgium must give at least one year of legal warranty on a refurbished phone. If the seller did not clearly state a shorter period before the purchase, the standard two year legal warranty applies. A phone bought from a private seller comes without a legal warranty.
What battery health should a refurbished phone have?
A refurbished phone should have a battery health of at least 80%, which is the minimum most refurbishing companies use. Some specialists guarantee 85% or more, or offer a new battery for a small extra cost. On an iPhone, you can check battery health in Settings, Battery.
What is the difference between refurbished and second hand?
A refurbished phone has been tested, repaired where needed and reset by a professional, and comes with a legal warranty of at least one year in Belgium. A second hand phone is sold as it is, often by a private person, without a legal warranty. Refurbished usually costs a little more, but the risk is much lower.
Is a refurbished Samsung worth it?
A refurbished Samsung is worth it, especially a Galaxy S24 or newer, because Samsung promises seven years of Android and security updates for those models. Samsung phones lose value faster than iPhones, so the discounts on refurbished Samsung models are often larger. Older models such as the Galaxy S23 are cheaper but receive fewer years of updates.
What does grade A mean on a refurbished phone?
Grade A usually means the phone looks almost like new, with few or no visible scratches. There is no official standard, so every seller defines its grades differently. Always read the seller's description and check the battery health and warranty, because the grade only describes how the phone looks, not how well it works.
Do refurbished phones support eSIM?
Most recent refurbished phones support eSIM, including the iPhone XS, XR and newer, and Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer flagships. iPhones first sold in the United States from the iPhone 14 onwards only work with eSIM, because they have no SIM card slot. Check that the phone is not locked to one network before you buy.
