Does AT&T Sell Refurbished Phones: What You Need To Know

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AT&T is a wireless service provider that offers new and refurbished phones. In some cases, AT&T sells refurbished versions of their phones with the same look and feel like a brand-new phone.

This means a customer can purchase a high-quality phone at an affordable price while still receiving the newest technology available.

Apart from selling refurbished phones, they also offer a range of plans, including unlimited data and talk/text options, pay-as-you-go plans, family plans, prepaid plans, and more.

This article addresses whether AT&T sells refurbished phones as well as what to consider when buying them.

Does AT&T Sell Refurbished Phones?

Yes. AT&T offers a wide range of devices and accessories for your home or business. You can buy popular smartphones, tablets, wearable tech, and over-the-ear headphones from the company’s website and other retailers such as Amazon, Walmart, and BestBuy.

What Is A Refurbished Phone?

Refurbished phones are used phones that have been returned to the original seller or manufacturer for various reasons.

The most common reason people return their phones is that they don’t like them, but many other reasons exist.

A refurbished phone has been tested and verified by the manufacturer or an authorized service provider.

It has been reset to factory default settings, and all user-installed software, data, and personal information has been removed.

It may be that the phone they purchased was faulty when it arrived, or the wrong model had been sent by mistake. Phones can also be returned if they were damaged in transit or dropped into water.

Why People Buy A Refurbished Phone

There are several reasons why you might want to buy a refurbished phone.

Perhaps you want to get the most popular smartphone but don’t want to pay full price.
Maybe you’re looking for a great deal of an older models of the same brand of phone.
Or maybe you need a cheap backup phone.

Whatever your reason, AT&T has options available for you in the form of refurbished phones.

What Are The Benefits Of Buying Refurbished Phones?

If you want to be sure that you’re buying a device that has been thoroughly tested to meet AT&T standards, it might be worth considering refurbished phones.

There are many benefits to buying refurbished phones over new ones. These benefits vary from person to person as each person has their own opinion and wants for what they want in a phone.

You can get yourself a solid phone for cheap these days. How about getting the best of both worlds? You can buy a refurbished phone at a great price but still have all the features you want in your current device.

Refurbished phones are the way to go. Here are seven reasons why:

1. Budget-Friendly

The main benefit is that they’re cheaper than new phones. Refurbished phones tend to be much cheaper than their brand-new counterparts. This means that those who can’t afford a brand-new phone can now afford one.

2. Comes With Good Warranty

Another benefit is that you still get a warranty with the phone which means that if anything goes wrong, you can take it back and get it fixed for free.

3. High-End Quality Phones

You can get a high-end phone that gets you to value for money. There are so many great Android smartphones out there that can do just about anything, and you can get them for a fraction of the retail cost if you buy refurbished.

You can get a barely used phone or one that is barely used but was bought at a lower price than the original.

4. Carrier- Flexible Phones

You can also choose to buy one that is unlocked and can be used with any carrier you want, not just the one from which the phone was initially bought.

Many cell phone companies are out there, and switching carriers can be complex sometimes because it costs money to buy a new phone every time you switch over.

5. You Don’t Have To Worry About Costly Damages

One of the great things about buying a refurbished phone is that it saves you from worrying about water damage or other damages.

If you buy a new phone, and it gets wet, you could be in trouble. If it’s refurbished, well, it has served its purpose.

6. Environmental- Friendly

It is suitable for the environment as it helps reduce waste and pollution created by e-waste disposal, thus reducing the carbon footprint. The process of recycling e-waste is beneficial to both the environment and the economy.

7. Genuine And Authentic

Peace of mind knowing that your device is genuine and not a counterfeit, guaranteed to pass any product authenticity test.

What Are Some Of The Risks Of Buying A Refurbished Phone?

A lot of people are buying refurbished phones these days. While you can get a good deal on one, some risks come with purchasing a previously used phone.

The first thing to note is that the warranty will not cover any damage that has been done to the phone after its initial sale, whether it was intentional or accidental. This can be a significant drawback because you may not know the history of the phone before you buy it.
It’s also possible for your phone to be stolen, lose service, or have parts go bad over time. If something does go wrong and your current warranty doesn’t cover it, then that’s the end of the phone’s life, as you can’t return it after the return window has passed.

How To Buy Refurbished Phones From AT&T

People generally buy refurbished phones from AT&T to save a few bucks. AT&T is one of the largest sellers of refurbished devices in America. However, many people don’t know what to consider when buying these products.

The truth is that there are several things you need to check before making your purchase. Here are some points you need to remember when buying refurbished phones from AT&T:

The Current State Of The Phone

Before buying a refurbished phone from AT&T, ensure that you determine the actual state of the phone. This will help you determine if it’s a good choice or not.

If it’s been dropped on hard surfaces more than once, you should not buy it because it has been damaged beyond repair.

The Warranty

The warranty on refurbished phones from AT&T is 90 days, so if anything goes wrong with your purchase can always return it before the warranty is up.

Unlocking And Activation

The first thing to consider when buying refurbished phones from AT&T is whether you want to buy an unlocked phone or a phone compatible with your current plan.

It doesn’t matter if you just want to use the phone on WIFI or with another service. However, if you want to use the phone on AT&T’s network, you need to ensure compatibility.

If you’re on a family plan, however, there are some benefits of buying used phones. You can save money by sharing an account with other people who are on your plan.

Check For Scratches And Cracks

If you are refurbishing your phone, you must check for scratches and cracks in the phone. You can purchase a tool called an LCD flashlight that can help you see any scratches or cracks in the LCD screen.

You should test the audio jack, power button, volume buttons, camera lens, home button, and also the charging port of your refurbished phone. You should also check that the touchscreen is working fine.

Check The Battery Life

If you are buying a refurbished phone, you need to check the battery life in the phone. If the seller claims that the battery is original, check with an expert if it is or not.

The seller may claim that the phone has a good battery backup, but when you use it for some time, you will know that the battery is in bad condition. So, to avoid any hassle later on, choose the phone only after checking its battery backup.

Does It Come With Accessories?

The accessories that come with your refurbished phone will depend on the model you choose. Each phone comes with a charger. Some have a case and headphones, but not all do.

An iPhone 6s refurbished phone, for instance, may or may not include a free screen protector or a case.

If you want to ensure that your refurbished phone suits your needs, you should probably order a different case for it online. The good news is that if you buy from an authorized dealer, you’ll get a 90-day warranty on your device.

Conclusion

In conclusion, AT&T does sell refurbished smartphones on a limited basis. They do not offer a particularly robust selection of refurbished phones, and they currently only sell a few devices online.

If you’re looking for a way to save money on your next smartphone purchase, AT&T is an option for you, assuming its inventory fits your needs and budget.