Daytime TV star reveals Brits are missing out on...

LESS than half of Brits are willing to buy a refurbished phone - despite 83 per cent believing new smartphones are too expensive. A poll of 2,000 adults found the main concerns about buying a pre-loved phone include poor battery life (61 per cent), the condition of the device (55 per cent) and the limited or lack of warranty (48 per cent). Other common worries include fear of potential viruses or malware (43 per cent) or that the phone may have been stolen before being re-sold (34 per cent).

Image Credit: The Sun [David Dickinson holding refurbished smartphones and a gavel.]

On the flip side, 43 per cent said keeping costs down was a major motivator for buying second-hand as opposed to a brand-new device. To dispel any myths around smartphones and highlight the potential savings on refurbished tech, iD Mobile and TV icon David Dickinson hosted a unique auction in London where bidders competed for savings on his top picks of quality pre-loved devices. Bidders looking to score a ‘real deal’ walked away with some of the latest, 12-month warranty-assured, refurbished plans.

Image Credit: The Sun [David Dickinson at an iD Mobile refurbished phone auction.]

Lewis Henry, from iD Mobile, which claims to save customers an average of £250-a-year compared to major networks, said: “Whilst the savings speak for themselves, there are still a lot of myths surrounding refurbished phones. “Many people assume they’ll be scratched, outdated models in a bad condition, when in reality, there’s often very little difference that can be easily spotted between a refurbished phone and a brand new one.”.

Image Credit: The Sun [Three smartphones displaying a green screen with the time 13:56, in front of a sign advertising refurbished phone deals.]

The research, carried out via OnePoll, found 63 per cent were unaware you can purchase a ‘Grade A’ refurbished phone, which is a handset restored to an excellent, like-new condition. But 51 per cent recognise refurbished devices are a more sustainable option than buying new. It also emerged phone users are holding onto their device for roughly three to four years before swapping out for a newer model.

And encouragingly, two-thirds would be open to trading in their current phone so it can be resold as a refurbished device, helping to extend the life cycle of mobile tech. David Dickinson, famous for sniffing out a real ‘bobby dazzler’ of a deal, said: “These refurb phones are absolute bargains – top-notch condition, big savings, and no compromise on quality. “Now that’s what I call a great deal!”.