Mobile phone - throw away or not ?

There are up to 642 million unused smartphones in Europe, of which 211 million could be reused after refurbishing. A mobile phone contains several dozen metals such as gold, nickel, silver, platinum, copper, chromium, tin, silicon and others. It contains microchips that use very hard and highly conductive elements. Gold can be found on printed electronic circuits or on SIM cards. The used gold can be "extracted" and returned to its almost pure form for further use.

Older  phones, although functional, over time start to lose the ability to work with various applications. They always last three or four years and, for example, they stopped communicating with the mail box, the newer ones don't understand the mirroring application etc. 

According to survey done in Europe, the value of metals in unused devices reaches about 1.6 billion euros. Most of them are located in Germany, where up to 49 million mobile phones could be offered out of more than 119 million units. In this case, however, it is recycling and not remanufacturing, i.e. repairing the device and re-launching it on the market.

In order for a phone to be eligible for refurbishing, it must meet several conditions. The resale value of a phone is influenced by several factors - such as its visual condition (visible damage), battery capacity, storage size or the age of the device. In general, most newer models are suitable for resale, but their value varies. If the phone is too old or damaged beyond repair, it should at least be properly recycled - many of its components can be reused.

Refurbished phones can still function as good as new if the customer treats them well. With gentle use, a protective case and glass, they can last as long as new devices. Of course, it depends on the individual user - whether the phone is dropped often or is well protected.

Refurbished phones: pros and cons

Here’s what you need to know to help you make up your mind:

• With some brands and retailers, you can make significant savings, especially if you don't mind whether you've got the latest handset.

• When you buy from a big network or established retailer, you’ll get a warranty, which is usually 12 months.

• They’ll also include a charging cable or charger.

• It's not guaranteed that you'll receive other accessories that were originally bundled with the phone, such as headphones.

• You probably won’t get the original packaging. Refurbished phones tend to come in plain boxes or network-branded packaging. So you won’t quite have that nice feeling of unboxing a brand-new phone. But if you manage to save money on the deal, that might not bother you.

• 

Refurbished phones grading

All refurbished phones are given a grade that reflects their condition. There’s no universally applied standard for grading, so it’s best to check before buying.

But as a rule of thumb, the grades range from A-D and break down like this:

• Grade A: This is as nearly new as nearly new gets. At best, it'll be a phone returned within the 30-day cooling-off period, so is for all intents and purposes still a brand-new phone. At worst, it'll show minor signs of wear.

• Grade B: Expect the odd chip or scratch, but nothing too unsightly.

• Grade C: Refurbished phones graded ‘C’ will have perhaps up to five blemishes and will look like they've been used.

• Grade D: A grade D refurbished phone will be broken in some way, will look second-hand and will have been well used

• What's better: refurbished or used?

• If a phone is described as refurbished and you’re buying it from a network, an established retailer, or a trader on an auction site, you can be sure the phone has been tested, cleaned, wiped and is covered by a warranty. So you've got peace of mind in every way.

  The term ‘used’ is harder to define, so you'll need to be more cautious. It’s usually favoured by private sellers on auction sites and could mean anything from a few scratches to being battered by frequent drops. What should I keep in mind when buying a refurbished phone?

• The most important thing to check when buying a refurbished phone is that it comes with a warranty.

  Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone?

  Provided you’re buying from a reputable retailer, it’s perfectly safe to buy a refurbished phone. Most refurbished phones come with a warranty so you should be protected if there’s anything wrong with it.

•  What should I keep in mind when buying a refurbished phone?

• The most important thing to check when buying a refurbished phone is that it comes with a warranty.

  Are refurbished phones sustainable?

  Yes, the good news is that refurbished phones are not only cheaper than new handsets but also more eco-friendly.

  What is the disadvantage of a refurbished phone?

• A well-refurbished phone can last anywhere from 2 to 3 years

  Refurbished phones don't always have new batteries.

• Thanks for reading                                           

•                   Margaret

https://www.compareandrecycle.co.uk/blog/busting-myths-about-refurbished-phones