Refurbished, second-hand or new?
A new phone, a second-hand one from a classifieds site or a refurbished device from a specialist seller: all three can be a good choice. But they differ a great deal in peace of mind, price and lifespan. Here we compare them honestly, including the points where new comes out ahead.
What is the difference?
Second-hand means you buy the phone as it is, usually from a private seller. Refurbished is also a previously used device, but it has been professionally checked, tested, wiped and, where needed, repaired with new parts, and it comes with a warranty. New comes straight from the factory.
The comparison
| Refurbished at Green-ware | Second-hand (private seller) | New | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warranty | 2 years, battery included | Usually none | Statutory warranty |
| Testing | More than 50 points, Keurmerk Refurbished | You test it yourself, if you can | New from the factory |
| Previous user’s data | Certified wipe | Depends on the seller | Not applicable |
| Battery | At least 85%, replaced free below 70% during the warranty | Unknown unless you check | 100% |
| Cooling-off period | 14 days, free return label | Usually none | 14 days when bought online |
| Price | Lower than new | Often the lowest | The highest |
| Environment | An existing device lasts longer | An existing device lasts longer | A new device has to be made |
Point by point
Warranty and cooling-off period
At Green-ware every refurbished device comes with a 2-year warranty, battery included, and 14 days to change your mind. If you buy from a private seller, you usually have no warranty, and if something goes wrong, all you can do is talk to the seller. A new device has the statutory warranty.
Testing and data wiping
A refurbished device has been tested on more than 50 points: screen, battery, cameras, microphone, network, sensors and more. The previous user’s data has been wiped with a certified wipe. With a second-hand phone you depend on what the seller did. Make sure the phone has been removed from the previous owner’s account (“Find My iPhone” switched off), or you will not be able to use it with your own account.
Battery
The battery is the part that wears fastest. On a refurbished device from Green-ware it still has at least 85% of its original capacity, and if it drops below 70% during the warranty, we replace it free of charge. With a second-hand phone you only know if you check it yourself. A new phone starts at 100%.
Price
Second-hand is often the cheapest, refurbished sits in between and new is the most expensive. The difference between second-hand and refurbished pays for the testing, the warranty and the peace of mind. Our prices already include VAT, the Belgian private copying levy and delivery.
Environment
A device that gets a second life does not need to be made again. That applies to both refurbished and second-hand. With refurbished, the device is more likely to keep going long after you buy it, because it has been tested and comes with a warranty.
When is new the better choice?
Refurbished is not always the answer. To be honest, new is the better option if:
- you want a model that is not yet available refurbished, such as the latest generation;
- you want to use the device for as long as possible. Software updates depend on the age of the model, not on when you buy it. A model that has been on the market for a few years has fewer years of updates left than one that has just come out;
- you need features that only recent devices have. Apple Intelligence, for example, only works on the iPhone 15 Pro and later, including the iPhone 16e;
- you want a battery at 100% and will not accept any signs of use.
Want to know how long a model will keep getting updates? Every product page shows the highest software version and our estimate.
When is second-hand an option?
If you know the seller, can test the phone thoroughly yourself and accept the risk of having no warranty, second-hand can work out cheaper. If you want that peace of mind, choose refurbished.
Further reading
- What refurbished actually means: What is refurbished?
- Our warranty: Warranty
- Delivery and returns: Delivery and returns
- Which iPhone to buy: Which refurbished iPhone should you buy in 2026?
- Browse the range: iPhone, Samsung
Frequently asked questions
Is refurbished the same as second-hand?
No. Both have been used before, but a refurbished device has been professionally tested on more than 50 points, wiped with a certified wipe, repaired where needed and comes with a 2-year warranty.
Is my data safe with a refurbished device?
Every device is wiped with a certified wipe before it is sold. Nothing of the previous user remains on it.
How long does a refurbished phone last?
That depends mainly on the model: more recent models receive software updates for longer. The warranty runs for 2 years, battery included.
Can I return a refurbished device?
Yes, you have 14 days from delivery to change your mind. Once you report it, you receive a free bpost return label.