You can tell an Android is refurbished by checking if its IMEI numbers match across the device, settings, and box, and by spotting signs of prior wear.
If you’re getting a new phone, you’ll need to do some due diligence. Sometimes, what looks like a brand-new phone is actually a refurbished one. There’s nothing wrong with refurbished devices. You just need to know the difference between a certified refurbished phone and one that’s simply been repaired or “renewed” by anyone with the tools and a tutorial. You also don’t want to get a refurbished phone if you’re paying full price for what you believe is a new one.
A certified refurbished phone is usually restored to ‘like-new condition’ by the manufacturer or an authorized service center using Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts. It goes through performance testing and usually comes with a warranty, making it nearly as reliable as new. But with an unofficially refurbished phone, there is no guarantee the device was restored by the manufacturer or someone authorized to do so. It could have been done by anyone with parts from eBay and a YouTube tutorial. So your device could look alright on the outside, but if generic parts were used or shortcuts were taken, there could be trouble lurking beneath the surface.Key checks for spotting a refurbished Android phone
The easiest way to find out if your Android phone is new or refurbished is by checking its IMEI number.
