Joined Dec 2007
L3: Novice
Forum Thread
Help with choosing between new or refurb cell phone
June 27, 2025 at
09:08 PM
Are there any major concerns with purchasing a refurb phone, I'm thinking 2023 or newer? The only items in my mind that give pause is battery condition and whether or not OS updates and security patches have life. The hardware shouldn't be of issue and screen condition should be readily visible. If it makes any difference I'd be looking at the bargain lines like Moto G Power (2024 or 5G), REVVL 6/7 Pro, Galaxy A16 5G. As can be seen I'm attempting to keep it at $150 or less.
Just got booted off T-Mobile's legacy $5/yr Pay By The Day plan as it's now completely ended (grandfathered in for many years). Just signed up for their $15/mo unlimited call/text with 5GB data plan. Having done this I figured I'd start using my phone for a little more than its current emergency-call-only relegation. This also means it's time to retire the no longer supported Lumia 521 Windows phone that was tied to this duty.
You guy's helped me decide on a Galaxy Tab a9+ not so long ago and it was a great one. It's not blazing fast nor does it have a cutting edge screen or refresh rate but it more than serves it's intended purpose.
Just got booted off T-Mobile's legacy $5/yr Pay By The Day plan as it's now completely ended (grandfathered in for many years). Just signed up for their $15/mo unlimited call/text with 5GB data plan. Having done this I figured I'd start using my phone for a little more than its current emergency-call-only relegation. This also means it's time to retire the no longer supported Lumia 521 Windows phone that was tied to this duty.
You guy's helped me decide on a Galaxy Tab a9+ not so long ago and it was a great one. It's not blazing fast nor does it have a cutting edge screen or refresh rate but it more than serves it's intended purpose.
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https://www.qvc.com/tracfone-moto...sc=NAVLI
https://www.qvc.com/tracfone-67-s...sc=NAVLIST
These phones come bundled with 1500 min/sms/mb and 1 year of service. They are locked to tracfone but in theory you can eventually unlock them.
While a few dollars more than the $5/yr I was paying to keep my Pay By The Call plan active I should have switched to that type of option years ago, would have improved the utility of my phone use over that time-span. I only chose the current $15/mo plan with T-Mobile because of my $50 balance on the account that would have been a use or lose affair, kind of like getting the first three months free.
The examples you provided would have 100% served my needs over the past years but I'm getting ready to move by the end of this year and was planning on switching to cellphone as primary (FIOS is current mainstay) communications. I work from my desktop all day and e-mail is my current go-to but the cell will become more important in the near future. I do see the similar Moto G Power (2024 [qvc.com]) being offered with unlimited talk/text and 24GB for $176/yr (1st year). That could likely be a better fit for my needs and worth considering. This is assuming I'm not missing any between-the-lines additional monthly costs (top-ups, fees, etc.). Also coming to my attention is the MVNO options.
As for my initial query -- The more I contemplate the more I begin to think the premium (what looks to be 25%-30%) for new vs refurb is probably worth the cost. For this reason I've begrudgingly bumped by target max price to $200.
Samsung has a much better track record on software updates than motorola, especially on lower end phones if you can put up with all of their modifications to Android. Other options include phones like the HMD Fusion (~$300, more repairable than most phones), OnePlue Nord N30, Oppo.
If you're looking at refurbished or used phones from somewhere like swappa, I'd aim for a slightly end model, but pay attention to the age of the device as for as how long it will receive updates.
I do recall noticing on an MVNO comparison chart the disparity of tethering availability. That's something that could come into play when using the Note A9+. And since I just mentioned that tab, I fully concur with your noting the good and bad of Samsung in regards to attentive updates and continued support dimmed only by their Android and Sam-app bloat.. ;-)