Do you love the lag-free performance and state-of-the-art features of flagship phones but dislike their cost? If so, refurbished unlocked cell phones might be an excellent choice for you. Refurbished devices are those that the manufacturer takes back because of defects, restores to “new” status, and resold at lower rates.
Let’s see why purchasing refurbished or used unlocked cell phones for sale is a good idea. First, you’ll acquire cutting-edge hardware specs plus a flagship experience for a much lower cost compared to getting it at full price. But with plenty of refurbished unlocked cell phones in the market, which one should you get? To narrow down your choices, we’ve picked the ten best gadgets, including refurbished Samsung phones and unlocked refurbished iPhones that you can purchase on Amazon.
The 10 Best Refurbished Unlocked Cell Phones
1. Samsung Galaxy S20
Getting flagship phones on contract when they go on sale can be quite expensive. But the Samsung S series smartphone is here and at a discounted rate. There’s no better deal than this S20 if you are in the market for refurbished Samsung phones.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 151.7 by 69.1 by 7.9 mm
- Display: 6.4 inches
- Main Camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP
- CPU: Snapdragon 865
- Internal Memory: 128 GB
- Front Camera: 10 MP
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 4000 mAh
- RAM: 8 GB
2. iPhone 11
The iPhone 11 is one of Apple’s most coveted devices and can now be had at an amazingly affordable price. After unveiling the iPhone 12, prices for the iPhone 1 have been plummeting and there’s no better time to get one for yourself. Although it may not have Apple’s latest features, it is not far off, delivering the same camera specs as the 12 series and a host of top-tier features.
Specifications
- Display: 6.1 inches
- Main Camera: 12 MP + 12 MP
- Internal Memory: 64 GB
- Front Camera: 12 MP
- OS: iOS 13
- Battery Capacity: 3110 mAh
- RAM: 4 GB
3. Google Pixel 5
It’s common for most buyers to lower their expectations before making a purchase decision due to budget and won’t go for a flagship experience. But this Google Pixel 5 will quickly do away with all the delusions you might have about owning an impressive smartphone. If you are looking for the finest camera that packs AI, Google devices might just be what you need. Plus you can have it for a discounted price, which makes it worth your money.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 144.7 by 70.4 by 8 mm
- Display: 6.0 inches
- Main Camera: 12.2 MP + 16 MP
- CPU: Snapdragon 765G
- Internal Memory: 128 GB
- Front Camera: 8 MP
- OS: Android 11 Pie
- Battery Capacity: 4080 mAh
- RAM: 8 GB
4. Samsung Galaxy Note 20
If you are looking for an unmatched smartphone experience, master the S pen with this Galaxy Note 20. Samsung’s endeavor into the realm of S pens and Note gadgets seems to be promising for Android enthusiasts. Apart from offering a lower retail price than its Note 10 predecessor, the Note 20 has several better specs.
Specifications
- Display: 6.7 inches
- Main Camera: 12 MP + 64 MP + 12 MP
- Internal Memory: 256 GB
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 4300 mAh
- RAM: 8 GB
5. OnePlus 8
Are you trying to find the best rival for Apple and Samsung flagships? The OnePlus 8 is a perfect alternative with all the latest features you’ll need for a flagship experience. It has similar features, specs, and designs to the Galaxy S20 but with a lower RRP.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 160.2 by 72.9 by 8 mm
- Display: 6.55 inches
- Main Camera: 48 MP + 16 MP + 2 MP
- CPU: Snapdragon 865
- Internal Memory: 256 GB
- Front Camera: 16 MP
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 4300 mAh
- RAM: 12 GB
6. iPhone SE
The iPhone SE is the best budget option for those who are shopping for unlocked refurbished iPhones. As an odd released by Apple this year, the SE is incredibly cheap if we’re going by the brand’s standards. However, it features a conspicuous look to other recent launches, with a similar body to the iPhone 8. Even so, it packs some top-notch with the A13 Bionic chip being the most notable.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 138.4 by 67.39 by 7.3 mm
- Display: 4.7 inches
- Main Camera: 12 MP
- CPU: Apple A13 Bionic
- Internal Memory: 128 GB
- Front Camera: 7 MP
- OS: iOS 12
- Battery Capacity: 1821 mAh
- RAM: 3 GB
7. Samsung Galaxy S9
The options are endless as far as refurbished Samsung phones go. And while this Galaxy S9 is an older Samsung smartphone, it comes with a surprisingly affordable price tag. Don’t mind that you are getting back to 2018 as Samsung delivers some top-tier specs, including an impressive display.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 147.7 by 68.7 by 8.5 mm
- Display: 4.7 inches
- Main Camera: 12 MP
- CPU: Apple A13 Bionic
- Internal Memory: 64 GB
- Front Camera: 8 MP
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 3000 mAh
- RAM: 4 GB
8. OnePlus Nord
For the best budget phones in 2021, the OnePlus Nord is certainly among the top choices in the market. With nearly half the RRP of similar flagship devices, the Nord offers plenty of superior specs. Also, the stylish build with an outstanding camera array makes it a worthy investment.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 158.3 by 73.3 by 8.2 mm
- Display: 6.44 inches
- Main Camera: 48 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP
- CPU: Snapdragon 765G
- Internal Memory: 256 GB
- Front Camera: 32 MP
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 4115 mAh
- RAM: 6 GB
9. Google Pixel 4a
For the latest Google phone with an extremely low price point, look no further than the Pixel 4a. Besides, you’ll be getting the best camera smartphones out there.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 160.2 by 72.9 by 8 mm
- Display: 5.81 inches
- Main Camera: 12.2 MP
- Internal Memory: 128 GB
- OS: Android 10
- Battery Capacity: 3140 mAh
- RAM: 6 GB
10. Samsung Galaxy A71
The best refurbished Samsung phones don’t have to be overwhelmingly pricey and this Galaxy A71 is one example. Available in a sleek design and some powerful features, it’s the best affordable choice for a flagship experience.
Specifications
- Display: 6.7 inches
- Main Camera: 32 MP + 8 MP + 5 MP
- Internal Memory: 128 GB
- OS: Android 9 Pie
- Battery Capacity: 4500 mAh
- RAM: 8 GB
What You Should Know About Choosing The Best Refurbished Unlocked Cell Phones
For obvious reasons, it is more challenging to decide which refurbished unlocked cell phones to buy than picking a new device. First off, you’ll want to make sure the phone you are about to purchase is in acceptable condition. Also, you have to ensure the model you’re looking at will handle the tasks you intend to throw at it.
Fortunately, flagship devices are more potent than most of us realize. Therefore, even if you get a smartphone that is a few years old, you are still securing a gadget that’s more than capable of handling everyday tasks. These phones will help you browse social apps and sites, as well as offer powerful GPS navigation. Furthermore, you can stream audio and videos while snapping pictures without issues.
Older phones are likely to lag when you put them up to highly taxing uses, such as playing resource-demanding, graphic-rich games. Also, they may not be the best option when it comes to recording videos in 4K resolution. And if the battery hasn’t been replaced with a new one, it may have deteriorated and won’t last long even after charging.
You’ll want to watch out for the security updates and software status of the renewed device before you purchase. In that regard, you may want to consider getting a refurbished iPhone. This is because Apple supports its handsets beyond the standard two-year period most Android brands offer. For instance, you can still download iOS 14 on the iPhone 6S, a 2015 Apple release. Google has the best support policy as far as Android devices go, allowing up to three years of updates for its Pixel phones.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Conclusion
We’ve listed the best refurbished unlocked cell phones from Samsung, Apple, Google, and other brands for your convenience. Unlike brand-new gadgets, refurbished devices come with a shorter limited warranty, such as ninety days. But they are way cheaper than purchasing a boxed edition. Apart from saving plenty of cash, there are plenty of options to consider.
Note that older flagship devices are just as powerful as the latest smartphones. Therefore, buying a refurbished model will let you into a flagship experience without spending a fortune on the gadget. And similar to new smartphones, refurbished devices will also last for several years since they go through quality checks before hitting the market.