What Does Refurbished Mean? Phones, Laptops & More

Refurbished means a product was used, returned or never sold, and was then inspected, tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and reset before being sold again. What that process includes depends on who did it. Apple and Samsung put a new battery in every refurbished phone they sell. Marketplaces such as Amazon Renewed and Back Market set a minimum battery level instead. Warranties run from 90 days to a full year.

What happens to a refurbished product

Refurbished stock comes from customer returns, trade-ins, display units and unsold stock. Each unit goes through roughly the same steps:

A technician inspects it and runs a diagnostic test.
Faulty parts are repaired or replaced.
It is cleaned and wiped of the previous owner's data, then reset to factory settings.
It gets a condition grade based on how it looks.
It is repackaged, often in a plain box, with a charger and cable.

Amazon describes its Renewed process this way: "a full diagnostic test, replacement of any faulty parts, and a thorough cleaning process." Every program covers those basics. They differ on whether they replace parts that still work, mainly the battery, and on how long they stand behind the product afterward.

Manufacturer vs marketplace refurbished

There's no single standard for "refurbished". Each seller sets its own process, so the same word can describe quite different products. The biggest difference is whether the manufacturer did the work or a marketplace seller did.

Manufacturer refurbished

The brand that made the product restores it, using its own parts.

Apple Certified Refurbished products go through full functional testing and get Apple's standard one-year limited warranty. Refurbished iPhones come with a new battery and a new outer shell, and every product ships in a new white box. AppleCare can be added.
Samsung Certified Re-Newed Galaxy phones are repaired with genuine Samsung parts, including a new battery, and must pass a 147-point test. They carry the same one-year limited warranty as a new Samsung phone.

Seller or marketplace refurbished

An independent refurbisher restores the product, and the marketplace sets minimum standards and the guarantee.

Amazon Renewed items are refurbished by Amazon-qualified suppliers, including manufacturers and specialist refurbishers. Batteries must hold more than 80% of their original capacity, or more than 90% on Renewed Premium. Most Renewed items have a 90-day return period, and Renewed Premium has 365 days. Some items instead get Amazon's 30-day returns plus an 11-month limited warranty from Asurion.
On Back Market, independent refurbishers sell through the marketplace and must follow its quality charter. Phones get up to a 100-point inspection and a minimum of 80% battery health. Every purchase has a one-year warranty and free 30-day returns.
Reebelo batteries hold at least 80% of their original capacity, and some listings offer a new battery as an upgrade. Devices come with a 12-month vendor warranty and free 30-day returns.

Program	Type	Battery	Coverage
Apple Certified Refurbished	Manufacturer	New battery (iPhone)	1-year warranty
Samsung Certified Re-Newed	Manufacturer	New battery	1-year warranty
Amazon Renewed	Marketplace	Over 80% (over 90% Premium)	90-day returns (365 days Premium)
Back Market	Marketplace	At least 80%	1-year warranty, 30-day returns
Reebelo	Marketplace	At least 80% (new battery optional)	12-month warranty, 30-day returns

A manufacturer refurb usually costs more, but you get a new battery and the maker's own warranty. A marketplace refurb is usually cheaper, and the battery is only guaranteed to meet the program's minimum.

What refurbished means for phones and iPhones

On a refurbished phone, check the battery first. The grade tells you about the screen and body, but photos can't show battery health.

An Apple or Samsung refurbished phone has a new battery.
A marketplace phone is guaranteed only the program minimum, usually 80%. Apple designs iPhone 14 and earlier batteries to keep 80% of their original capacity after 500 full charge cycles, and iPhone 15 and later batteries after 1,000 cycles. In other words, a battery at the 80% floor has about the wear Apple expects after 500 full cycles on an iPhone 14, or 1,000 on an iPhone 15.
Check it as soon as the phone arrives. On an iPhone, open Settings > Battery, then tap Battery Health (iPhone 15 or later) or Battery Health & Charging (iPhone 14 or earlier). If the maximum capacity is below what the listing promised, return it inside the return window.
Make sure the phone is unlocked or works with your carrier, and that it isn't still tied to the previous owner's account. On an iPhone, setup will ask for the old owner's Apple Account if Activation Lock is still on.

Browse refurbished smartphones under $200 (Canada) to compare current prices and grades.

What refurbished means for laptops

Refurbished laptops go through the same steps, with a few extra things to check. Laptop listings rarely state battery health, so ask the seller or check the operating system's battery report after delivery. Make sure a charger is included and that it's the right wattage. Compare the exact processor, RAM and storage of the unit for sale, not the best configuration that model came in. Older Macs and PCs may also have stopped getting software updates.

Of the 1,392 refurbished laptops listed on OpenBoxFox in the US today, 536 are Apple, 412 Dell, 170 HP and 161 Lenovo. See refurbished laptops under $400 (Canada) or MacBooks under $500 (CA$800 in Canada).

Refurbished vs used vs open box vs new

A new product has never been sold and is still factory sealed. An open-box item was opened and returned, often unused, and has been inspected but not repaired. A used item is sold as-is, with no testing or repair promised. A refurbished item has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded, and usually comes with a warranty or a longer return window.

You'll also see "Refurbished – Brand New": a new item in its original sealed box, sold through a refurbished marketplace. The full comparison, including Amazon's "Renewed" label, is in open box vs refurbished vs renewed.

How refurbished grades work

Grades describe how the product looks. A refurbished item should work fully whatever its grade. Names differ by seller. Amazon Renewed uses Premium, Excellent, Good and Acceptable, and Back Market uses Excellent, Good and Fair. On Amazon Renewed, an Excellent unit shows no visible damage when held 12 inches away, and an Acceptable unit may have scratches you can see and feel, plus up to three minor dents.

The lowest grade gets the biggest discount. Across refurbished US listings on OpenBoxFox today:

Grade	Listings	Average discount
Refurbished – Brand New	3,219	27%
Refurbished – Like New	2,872	33%
Refurbished – Very Good	5,652	32%
Refurbished – Good	1,546	40%

Our condition grades guide covers each retailer's definitions.

Is refurbished worth it?

Usually, for electronics, if the seller stands behind it. Refurbished listings on OpenBoxFox in the US average 32% off list price (median 29%), compared with 24% for open-box and used listings. They also cost more on average: $256, against $50 for open-box and used.

Before you buy, check:

Who refurbished it: the manufacturer or a third party.
The warranty and return window: 90 days at a minimum, ideally a year.
The battery standard: new, or the minimum percentage promised.
What the grade means at that seller.
What's included: charger, cable and any accessories.

Then test it in the first week, while you can still return it. For more on the risks, see is it safe to buy open box?

Frequently asked questions

Is refurbished the same as used?

No. A used item is sold as-is. A refurbished item has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and graded, and usually comes with a warranty or guaranteed return window.

Is a refurbished phone as good as new?

It can be close. Apple and Samsung refurbished phones get a new battery and a one-year warranty, like a new phone. Marketplace refurbished phones often have a used battery at or above 80% of original capacity, so check the listing's battery standard.

Do refurbished products come with a warranty?

Usually. Apple and Samsung give one year, Back Market one year, Reebelo 12 months, and Amazon Renewed most items 90 days of returns (365 days for Renewed Premium). Third-party sellers outside these programs may offer less, so check before you buy.

What does "Refurbished – Brand New" mean?

The item is new, in its original sealed box with all its accessories, but sold through a refurbished marketplace. It usually gets a smaller discount than the used refurbished grades: 27% on average on OpenBoxFox today.

What Does Refurbished Mean? Phones, Laptops and Electronics Explained