With the accelerated reliance on electronic devices, the market needs more affordable and sustainable alternatives to new smartphones, laptops, and other daily-use tech.
Renewed and refurbished devices are thus flooding the market with more options that extend a product’s lifecycle, while supporting the planet’s well-being.
However, consumers are often puzzled about how these options differ, what their condition grading really means in practice, and which is the safer buy for their budget.
What’s The Difference Between Refurbished And Renewed?
Refurbished electronics are pre-owned devices inspected and repaired by certified resellers to meet manufacturer standards, then graded A, B, or C by cosmetic condition. Renewed often means the same thing (for example, Amazon Renewed), but it can also refer to returned, barely used items that may lack original packaging and are sold as open-box.
In other cases, the term renewed refers to heavily used devices that have undergone basic functionality checks, with faulty parts replaced by third-party components – not by OEM parts like the refurbished options.
Because these two terms often overlap, always check the fine print when buying a pre-owned smartphone, laptop, or PC, including the warranty and return/refund terms, to save yourself from unpleasant surprises.
Purchasing renewed or refurbished products from certified resellers or the manufacturer, such as Apple’s Certified Refurbished program, is usually the best option.
Are Renewed Or Refurbished Devices Cheaper?
When “renewed” is used to describe devices that underwent only basic, quick checks, it usually means they’re the lowest-priced option. In any case, all refurbished devices are 20% to 80% cheaper than brand new, depending on the model, battery health, and condition grade.
Certified refurbished products are typically pricier than other third-party options, but still offer substantial discounts over new ones.
In corporate environments, redeploying existing refurbished parts instead of buying new can save organizations up to 65% on service calls. These savings can be significantly higher when legacy equipment parts are no longer available on the market, and entire installations must be upgraded even when only a single component is missing.
Plus, the refurbished approach helps businesses reduce the cost and risks of eWaste management.
It’s therefore no wonder that the global refurbished market was valued at USD 140.6 billion last year and it is projected to grow to USD 298.6 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 9.9%.
In effect, this strong momentum reflects a mix of practical economics and growing awareness of e-waste, pushing more buyers toward longer-lasting alternatives to buying new.
Beyond Price: Why Device Life Extension Really Matters
Consider that the materials smartphones are made of include gold and some rare earth elements, which require environmentally damaging mining and refining processes to obtain.
For example, mining just an ounce of gold produces 30 tons of waste, including mercury, cyanide, lead, and arsenic. On the ground, mining at one of the world’s largest rare earth deposits in Baotou, Inner Mongolia, has created a highly toxic artificial lake of ore-processing tailings over 3,000 meters wide.
And this is only one of many examples underscoring the need to keep smartphones and other devices in use as long as possible, through refurbishment or, when that isn’t possible, by salvaging usable components through specialized electronics recycling.
Do Renewed Or Refurbished Products Have A Warranty?
Both renewed and refurbished products from reputable sellers come with a warranty, ranging from 90 days to 1 year, sometimes even 2 years. Manufacturer-certified programs typically offer the most reliable coverage.
Should You Buy A Renewed Or Refurbished Product?
Yes, especially if you tend to upgrade your electronic devices every year or so. Renewed or refurbished products offer a better price and a more responsible choice for the planet. If you’re comfortable with minor trade-offs, like a 10% to 20% reduction in battery life and a scratch or two, they can be a great option.
What matters most is buying from a reputable source that offers a solid warranty and return policy.
Amazon Renewed vs Refurbished
In most cases, there’s no difference between Renewed and Refurbished on Amazon – especially for electronics. “Amazon Renewed” is an umbrella term for all refurbished devices coming from Amazon-qualified suppliers or 3rd-party sellers that meet Amazon Renewed quality standards.
Amazon Renewed products are tested and inspected to ensure they’re fully functional. Depending on their condition, they are graded accordingly into: Refurbished Premium (with 1-year return/replacement window) or Refurbished Excellent, Refurbished Good, or Acceptable, with 90 days for returns/replacements.
Things To Consider When Getting A Refurbished Or Renewed Device
Your goal when purchasing refurbished or renewed electronics is to get the best quality-to-price ratio. However, because pre-owned devices can vary widely in condition and origin, you need to evaluate a few critical factors:
1. Understand The Terminology
While “renewed” is sometimes used for items with little to no use (like “guilty spending” returns), both refurbished and renewed describe products that should work as if they were brand new.
2. Prioritize Reputable Sellers
The quality of a refurbished device is only as good as the entity that restored it. Opt for items that have been inspected, repaired, and tested by the manufacturer or authorized 3rd-parties.
3. Know The Refurbished Grade
Refurbished products are typically ranked by their cosmetic condition, which directly impacts the price:
- Grade A: Near-mint condition, often indistinguishable from a new product.
- Grade B: Shows minor wear, such as light scratches or scuffs.
- Grade C: Features notable signs of usage but remains 100% functional.
4. Inspect The Warranty And Return Policy
A robust warranty is the best indicator of a refurbisher’s confidence in their work.
- Return Windows: Look for a return policy of at least one month. Some marketplaces, like Amazon, offer a 90-day return period for a full refund.
- Coverage: Ensure the warranty covers functional failures. While some third-party sellers offer limited coverage, “Certified Refurbished” programs often extend warranties to one or two years.
5. Check Battery Health
For smartphones, aim for a device with at least 80% battery capacity, or one with a new battery.
6. Inspect Device Upon Arrival
Thoroughly check all key features (touchscreen, camera, speakers, buttons), inspect the physical condition, and verify the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) to confirm it isn’t blacklisted. Also, double-check the seller-provided specs, including accessories, storage/RAM, and any cosmetic wear that should match the grade shown on the listing.
Extend The Life, Not The Risk
If your organization is retiring or cycling through devices at scale, you also need a partner that makes “pre-owned” predictable.
Green Wave Electronics helps extend device life through high-volume testing, repair, and refurbishment, backed by quality inspection for open-box returns, streamlined returns management, and remarketing options to recover value.
In consumer electronics, new isn’t always better. Tested is. Get a quote today!
