Is buying refurbished better than new?

Let’s get right down to it.

The simplest argument for choosing a refurbished device over a brand new one will be the more affordable price tag. However, there is so much more savings involved, so many more costs that you help avoid. If you are currently deciding between a brand-new Fairphone (Gen. 6) or a refurbished model, we want to give you total transparency. Because at Fairphone, a refurbished phone isn't a compromise. It’s a badge of honor for a circular economy.

Refurbished doesn’t automatically mean a smaller footprint

Let’s bust a common myth right away: buying a refurbished phone doesn't magically erase the carbon emitted or the rare earth metals mined to build it. That ecological debt is already embedded into the physical hardware, thanks to the manufacturing process behind it. In fact, if a refurbished phone comes from a standard 14-day return window, it has technically been shipped around more than normal, meaning its transportation footprint is slightly higher than a new phone sent straight from the factory.

So what makes refurbished more sustainable?

Manufacturing accounts for the overwhelming majority of a smartphone's lifetime emissions. If a phone sits unused in a warehouse, gets thrown away, or is prematurely recycled, all that initial environmental damage was for nothing. By choosing a refurbished Fairphone (Gen. 6), you are ensuring that the resources already extracted are put to work over a full lifecycle while actively offsetting the demand for a brand-new phone to be manufactured.

Where do our refurbished devices come from?

While every new device requires entirely new raw material extraction, factory assembly, and linear consumption, a refurbished Fairphone (Gen. 6) is rescued from three highly efficient circular loops:

- The 14-day "cool-offs": Pristine phones returned by users who simply changed their mind. Legally, an opened box cannot be resold as "new," making this a premium steal for the eco-conscious buyer.

- The out-of-the-box DOAs (Dead on Arrival): These are units with minor initial factory glitches. Thanks to our modular design, our technicians can replace a single faulty part in minutes, saving the rest of the pristine device from the scrap heap.

- Our Reuse and Recycle Program: This is where we source devices traded in by previous users when they switch to a new device. 

Fairphone versus the wider tech industry

Across the broader electronics industry, processing individual open-box returns is costly. Historically, many major corporations found it cheaper to discard or ship returns to developing countries rather than inspect and repackage them.

There is a massive legislative gap here. While strict new EU regulations, like the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation, are forcing large companies to publicly report what they destroy, an outright destruction ban currently only applies to textiles and footwear. Small electronics are not legally banned from destruction yet.

Choosing a refurbished Fairphone (Gen. 6) is a direct vote against this systemic waste. Instead of exploiting legislative loopholes, we run a regional, European refurbishment loop. We treat returns as an asset, keeping valuable electronics from being recycled prematurely.

How do we refurbish our devices

We don't believe in replacing parts just for the sake of aesthetics, because replacing perfectly functional components creates unnecessary electronic waste. For example, batteries are tested and guaranteed to hold over 80% capacity. We only swap them out if they fall below that threshold. Screens are only replaced if they have more than two scratches, and outer frames are only swapped if scuffs are deep and highly visible. Just like our new devices, a refurbished model ships with no chargers or cables to prevent e-waste. It arrives in plastic-free, recyclable packaging that often utilizes existing, used boxes with a refurbished label to eliminate printing waste.

Please Note: The internal specifications of a new and refurbished Fairphone (Gen. 6) are completely identical, with one minor exception: because refurbished phones may have been opened during tech checks, the original IP (ingress protection) water-resistance rating cannot be guaranteed.

The Fairphone difference

Refurbished tech from other brands often comes with a risky, short one-year warranty. We don't think that’s very fair. That’s why we offer the refurbished Fairphone (Gen. 6) with the exact same five-year warranty as a brand-new device. And yes, the warranty is fully transferable to a third or fourth user down the line. You also get the exact same software support longevity as a new device, with official software updates guaranteed until 2033.

On top of this, you’ll enjoy the same modular advantages of a new Fairphone device. If you drop a standard refurbished phone from another brand and crack the screen, chances are repair costs are so high it ruins your initial savings. Because our refurbished model uses the exact same modular architecture, you can buy affordable, standard spare parts from our webshop and fix it yourself in the comfort of your home.

So what’s better: Refurbished or brand new?

Ultimately, it comes down to choice. A brand-new Fairphone device is still more sustainable in the long run compared to other competitor devices and comes to you in pristine condition. Meanwhile, a refurbished device nets you all the functional advantages of a brand-new device at a more affordable cost. Same warranty, same software support, same award-winning modular design with more affordable spare parts than the competition.

Whether you choose new or refurbished, you are choosing a smartphone that is built to last, better for people, and better for the planet.

Our stock of refurbished phones depends on the supply of used products. See what’s available here. If devices are out of stock, don’t worry. Refurbishing is a continuous process for us. You can set a reminder to make sure you’re updated when units are available.