Refurbished iPhones and Samsung phones as gifts: grades, warranties and what to check

On eBay, only sellers in the eBay Refurbished programme can use these four grades. eBay says all four are professionally inspected, cleaned and fully working; the difference is how they look and who refurbished them:

• Certified - Refurbished: pristine, like new, refurbished by the manufacturer or a manufacturer-approved company. The most expensive grade.
• Excellent - Refurbished: looks like new at first glance, with no to minimal signs of use, such as micro scratches on the body, and no visible screen scratches.
• Very Good - Refurbished: some signs of use, such as light scratches on the body.
• Good - Refurbished: moderate signs of use, such as small scratches or dents that don't affect how it works.

For a present, Excellent is usually the sweet spot: it should look new when unwrapped without the Certified price. Which?'s lab tests of graded phones found the middle grade (B, or 'good') gave the best balance of condition and price, but that the lowest grade could hide faults such as a faulty Face ID camera. If the phone will go straight into a case, Very Good can save a little more.

'Seller refurbished' and 'Used' listings are outside the programme. They can be cheaper, but they don't have to meet eBay's refurbished rules, so check the seller's own guarantee and returns carefully.

eBay's Refurbished programme rules say sellers must offer:

• At least a 12-month seller guarantee covering any faults in how the phone works. The seller sends the details by email or in the box: keep them, because claims go to the seller.
• Free tracked delivery to mainland UK addresses.
• At least 30 days for returns, and free returns on Certified phones.

On top of that, the eBay Money Back Guarantee covers you if the phone doesn't arrive or isn't as described, as long as you pay through eBay's checkout. Refurbished sellers are businesses, so you also have your normal consumer rights.

Buying for Christmas? A 30-day return window that starts in November can run out before Christmas Day. Either buy in December, or open the box, switch the phone on and do the checks below as soon as it arrives, then wrap it. Keep all the packaging until you're sure.

A phone that no longer gets security updates is riskier to use for banking and messages. Which? says iPhones tend to get security updates for at least six years from launch, while Android phones vary from two to eight years. Since 2024, UK law has made manufacturers state a minimum support period.

• iPhone: Apple's UK security statements promise at least five years from the date each model first went on sale: until at least September 2027 for the iPhone 14 and September 2028 for the iPhone 15. Which? advises against the iPhone 11 and 12, which are near the end of support. The iPhone 13's five-year minimum ran out in September 2026, so I'd only buy one if it's much cheaper.
• Samsung: Samsung's security page lists which phones get monthly or quarterly updates. On 28 October 2026 the Galaxy S23, S24 and A55 were on the monthly list and the A35 on the quarterly list. Which? says the Galaxy S21 has lost support, so avoid it.

If you're looking at a model not listed here, check its support dates before you buy.

Do these checks straight away, inside the return window:

• It isn't locked to someone else: on an iPhone, make sure you can set it up with your own Apple Account. Apple says not to accept an iPhone that asks for the previous owner's Apple Account or shows a lock screen (see Apple: buying a pre-owned iPhone). On a Samsung, make sure it doesn't ask for the previous owner's Google account after a reset.
• Unlocked to any network: put in the SIM it will be used with and make a call.
• Battery health: on an iPhone, go to Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Many sellers state a minimum battery health in the listing, so check it matches.
• Cameras, Face ID or fingerprint, speakers, microphone, buttons and charging port: Which? lists these as the parts most likely to have problems.
• The IMEI number: dial *#06# and check it matches the box or invoice. A CheckMEND check (a small fee) shows whether a phone has been reported lost or stolen.
• The charger and cable: refurbished phones often come with just a cable, and Which? found some came with chargers slower than the phone could use.

Found a problem? Contact the seller through eBay with photos, and use the return or the Money Back Guarantee if they don't put it right.

• Add a new case and screen protector, so any marks from the grade don't matter and the phone feels new. See our gifts for teenagers guide for more ideas.
• Set it up first if it's for a younger teenager, including Screen Time on iPhone or Family Link on Android.
• Check the person's SIM size and network: most networks offer SIM-only deals, and eSIM works on both iPhones and recent Samsungs.

Browse more refurbished phones on eBay: all refurbished iPhones or all refurbished Samsung phones. eBay links on this page are affiliate links: I may earn a commission from eBay if you buy, at no extra cost to you.

• eBay: Refurbished hub (grades and 12-month seller guarantee)
• eBay UK Seller Centre: Refurbished programme requirements
• eBay: Money Back Guarantee policy
• Which? (7 August 2026): How to buy the best refurbished phone
• Apple: UK product security statements (PSTI)
• Apple Support: if you want to buy a pre-owned iPhone
• Samsung Mobile Security: security update models
• GOV.UK: consumer protection rights