A brand new iPhone 18 Pro costs over $1,700 in Canada. A refurbished one in excellent condition? You might find it for around $1,400. That's a real saving — but is it worth the risk?
We run a phone shop and do repairs every day, so we see a lot of used and refurbished phones, good and bad.
What Does "Refurbished" Actually Mean?
The term "refurbished" is used loosely — and that's part of the problem. It can mean very different things depending on who's selling:
Manufacturer refurbished — returned to Apple, Samsung, etc., inspected, repaired if needed, and re-certified. These come with a warranty and are the most reliable.
Carrier refurbished — returned to Rogers, Bell, Telus etc. and resold. Quality varies but generally reliable.
Third-party refurbished — repaired and resold by an independent shop or reseller. Quality depends entirely on the seller.
"Refurbished" on marketplace sites — could mean anything from professionally serviced to simply wiped and relisted. Treat with caution.
How we do it: We don't sell refurbished phones at Empire Wireless Mobile. We sell new phones and certified used phones that haven't been repaired. We explain why in Why You Shouldn't Buy a Refurbished Phone.
The Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
Cheaper than new — the saving depends on the model and its age
Refurbishing means repairing a used phone and reselling it. Photo: Miracle Mr / Pexels
Understanding Grading Systems
Most reputable refurbishers grade their devices. The grades usually mean the following, but sellers don't all use the same system, so read the description carefully.
Grade
Condition
What to Expect
Grade A / Excellent
Like new
No visible scratches, full battery health (90%+), all functions working perfectly
Grade B / Good
Light wear
Minor scratches visible up close, battery health typically 80–90%, all functions working
Grade C / Fair
Visible wear
Noticeable scratches or scuffs, battery health may be below 80%, still fully functional
Parts / For Repair
Damaged
Cracked screen, significant damage — sold for parts or as a repair project only
Our advice: aim for Grade A or B. Grade C devices often need a battery replacement shortly after purchase, which eats into your savings.
Look the phone over carefully before you pay. Photo: Pavel Danilyuk / Pexels
The 8 Things to Check Before Buying
Whether you're buying from a shop, online, or a private seller, run through this checklist:
Check the IMEI — Every phone has a unique IMEI number (dial *#06# to find it). Run it through a free IMEI checker to confirm it's not blacklisted, stolen, or still under contract. This is non-negotiable.
Check battery health — On iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Anything below 80% will need replacing soon. On Android, use AccuBattery or ask the seller for the reading. Don't buy without knowing this number.
Test every function — Make a call, test the front and rear cameras, play audio through the speakers, test the microphone, try the vibration, and test all buttons. Take your time and be thorough.
Test the touchscreen — Swipe in every corner and test multi-touch. Touch dead zones are a common issue with refurbished screens, especially third-party replacement screens.
Confirm it's unlocked — Insert a SIM from a carrier other than the original. If it works, it's unlocked. If you see "SIM Not Supported," it's locked to a carrier and will need unlocking (which we can do for $30).
Check for iCloud/Google lock — For iPhones, go to Settings and make sure no previous Apple ID is signed in. A phone with someone else's Apple ID still signed in is locked and essentially unusable. For Android, check that no Google account is linked under Settings → Accounts.
Check for non-original parts (iPhone) — On iPhone 12 and later, go to Settings → General → About. If the screen, battery, or camera says "Unknown Part" or "Important Display Message," it's been replaced with a non-Apple part. This affects True Tone, Face ID accuracy, and warranty.
Ask about the return policy — Any reputable seller should offer at least a 7-day return window. At Empire Wireless Mobile all our phones come with a warranty. Private sellers who won't let you test or refuse returns are a red flag.
Where People Buy Refurbished Phones
If you do buy refurbished, from most to least reliable:
Apple Certified Refurbished (apple.com/ca/shop/refurbished) — the gold standard. Full warranty, original parts, rigorous testing. Limited selection but maximum confidence.
Carrier refurbished programs — Rogers, Bell, and Telus all sell refurbished devices with warranties. Check their websites or visit a store.
Local repair shops — some shops repair used phones and resell them. You can ask exactly what was done to the phone and check it in person, but quality depends entirely on the shop.
Back Market — a well-known refurbished marketplace with a 12-month warranty. Quality is generally good but you're buying remotely.
Facebook Marketplace / Kijiji — highest risk. No warranty, no accountability. Only recommended if you know what to check (see checklist above) and can meet in person to test the device.
Red flags when buying privately: Seller won't let you test the phone, price is unusually low, box is missing, no original accessories, seller is vague about where they got it, or they're pushing you to decide quickly.
Is a Refurbished Phone Right for You?
It may make sense if: the lower price matters more than anything else, you don't need the latest model, you're comfortable doing the checks above, and you're buying from a source with a real warranty and return policy.
Think twice if: you're buying from an unknown private seller without the ability to test, you need a warranty for peace of mind, you want a phone you can count on for years, or the price seems too good to be true (it usually is).
Whatever the grade, a refurbished phone has already been through a repair process. What gets fixed is what can be seen and what affects how it works, and damage inside the logic board can be missed. We explain why in Why You Shouldn't Buy a Refurbished Phone. If you still choose refurbished, a Grade A or B device from Apple's own refurbished store or a carrier's program comes with the strongest warranty.
At Empire Wireless Mobile we sell new phones and certified used phones that haven't been repaired — no refurbs. Come in to see what we have in stock — all our phones can be tested in store before you commit.
Looking for a New or Used Phone in Toronto?
Come see our current stock of new and certified used phones at 876 Danforth Ave. All our phones are tested, unlocked, and ready to use — walk in and try before you buy.
A refurbished phone can save you money, but it isn't a risk-free shortcut. Even a well-tested one can have damage inside that nobody inspected, and you often won't find out until months later. That's why we don't sell refurbished phones. We sell new phones and certified used phones that haven't been repaired.
If you're in Toronto and want to see phones in person before you commit, come visit us at 876 Danforth Ave. Monday to Friday 12–7pm, Saturday 12–5pm. Ask us anything about what we have in stock.
Empire Wireless Mobile
Toronto's trusted device repair shop since 2012, located at 876 Danforth Ave in Greektown. Experts in iPhone, Samsung, PS5, Switch, and more.
