Vodafone extends its range of refurbished phones, helping price-conscious customers get the phone they want for less.
- New study reveals a third (32%) of Brits now own a refurbished phone, with a quarter (24%) looking to get their hands on one.
- As many as 40% say the rising cost-of-living is a key factor driving them towards pre-loved items.
- Vodafone has extended its range of refurbished phones to meet growing demand as searches for refurbished devices are up by 39%.
- Customers can make savings of up to £324 when pairing a refurbished device with Vodafone EVO*.
- The new range supports Vodafone’s commitment to reduce e-waste and promote a circular economy.
New research from Vodafone reveals that refurb is on the rise, with a third of the country now owning a refurbished phone and a quarter (24%) planning on purchasing one in the future. Almost half (47%) claim new items are simply too expensive and 40% say the rising cost-of-living is a key factor driving them towards pre-loved items.
When it comes to tech, mobile phones top the poll of items that Brits would buy refurbished or second-hand, closely followed by laptops (26%), TVs (22%) and tablets (21%). Gen Z are the generation most likely to invest in a refurbished device (61%) compared to just 21% of Boomers.
On the whole, consumer confidence in second-hand shopping is rising, with the Office for National Statistics reporting that second-hand shopping helped boost 2.4% growth in non-food sales in February. Refurbished devices are growing in popularity with searches for refurbished phones up 39% on the Vodafone website in the last six months alone.
In response to the new findings, Vodafone has extended its refurbished phone range, so customers can save up to an average of £324 when bought with Vodafone EVO*. Vodafone is the only major UK network to offer a two-year warranty** on every Pay Monthly refurbished phone.
Reducing e-waste: How your old smartphone can be recycled
Smartphones contain metals and other materials that could be in increasingly short supply unless we recycle more.
When looking at motivators for purchasing pre-loved items, the research highlighted that 37% of respondents would consider a refurbished phone to be more sustainable and 47% to save money.
But for the 42% who are refurbished-averse, quality of the device (65%), concerns it won’t last as long (45%), and worrying about data breaches (27%) came out as the top reasons the nation wouldn’t purchase a second-hand device.
To give customers peace of mind and address these concerns, Vodafone offers only high-quality refurbished handsets in ‘Great’ or ‘Pristine’ condition and, from April 2023, customers can get their hands on devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S21.
Every phone in the range is Vodafone Assured which means it’s had a full 32-point visual and diagnostic check to ensure components such as the screen, battery and camera are fully functional***. Every phone has also been deep cleaned, securely data wiped, and comes with a two-year warranty and device health check.
Vodafone’s 14-day no-quibble money back guarantee applies.
Max Taylor, Vodafone’s UK Chief Commercial Officer, said: “More people than ever are now considering refurbished devices so they can get a great value phone and be friendlier to the planet.
“With our market-leading two-year warranty, 32-point health check, and Vodafone EVO, the UK’s best smartphone plan, buying a refurbished phone from Vodafone gives customers peace of mind and flexibility.”
Kester Mann, Director of Consumer and Connectivity at CCS Insight, said: “It’s great to hear that Vodafone is extending its range of refurbished smartphones at a time of growing financial strain on UK households.
“Buying pre-owed offers significant cost savings, while Vodafone’s two-year warranty gives reassurance over device quality and reliability.
“Refurbs also promote more sustainable behaviour by reducing e-waste, something that is becoming increasingly important to consumers.”
Vodafone’s refurbished devices support the company’s commitment to promoting a circular economy. Vodafone has pledged to cut carbon emissions and electronic waste and help its customers do the same.
The Circular Economy: Everything you need to know
The ‘circular economy’ is one of the latest green catchphrases, but what exactly is it and is it achievable?
Stay up-to-date with the very latest news from Vodafone by following us on Twitter and signing up for News Centre website notifications.
– End –
Notes to editors
Vodafone research, OnePoll. Carried out between: 23/03/2023 and 29/03/2023. Sample: 2,000 adults.
*Savings based on iPhone 11 64GB, payment over 36 months. New device price = £451, refurbished device price = £271, saving £180.
Customers can save an additional £144 on their airtime plan (saving based on a 24-month, 8GB Xtra plan that was £30 a month now £24 a month) available from 5 April to 4 May 2023.
Vodafone EVO lets you select a Monthly Device Plan Credit Agreement (12-36 months) with a monthly Airtime Plan. The device price will be the same whatever you choose. Device Plans over 12 months require a 24-month Monthly Airtime Plan. You can pay off your Device Plan early. If you do, you can then keep your Airtime Plan on a 30-day contract or leave. If your Airtime Plan ends for any reason, you will need to keep on paying your monthly Device Plan (either in full or monthly). Terms apply.
Vodafone EVO: Everything you need to know
The newest Pay Monthly mobile plans from Vodafone are not only highly flexible, they’re also brimming with benefits. And they put you in control. Here’s a breakdown of every single one.
**Vodafone is the only major UK network to offer a two-year warranty on all our Pay Monthly devices, no matter the grade.
***The visual and diagnostic checks and data clean are carried out by Vodafone’s third-party refurbished supplier.
Vodafone’s extended range of refurbished devices available today:
Apple iPhone 12 Pro Max (128 GB), Apple iPhone 13 (128 GB), Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max (128 GB), Apple iPhone 14 (128 GB), Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max (128 GB), Apple iPhone SE 2020 (64 GB), Apple iPhone SE 2022 (64 GB), Apple iPhone XR (64 GB), Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 4G (128 GB), Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (128 GB), Samsung Galaxy S22 (128 GB).
Additional refurbished devices available at the end of April 2023:
Apple iPhone 11 (64 GB), Apple iPhone 11 Pro (64 GB), Apple iPhone 11 Pro Max (64 GB), Apple iPhone 12 (64 GB), Apple iPhone 12 Pro (128 GB).
Pixel 6 and iPhone 13: How smartphones are now clever enough to coach you at tennis
Artificial Intelligence (AI) now lives inside the brain of the latest smartphones, opening up intriguing new possibilities in the apps we use, from tracking your tennis swings to helping you sing your heart out.
