Question 1

What is WhatPhone?

Accepted Answer

WhatPhone is a platform by the same team behind Phonecurry, a trusted phone recommendation platform millions loved. We are trying to rebuild it. We currently provide price comparisons for refurbished phones from trusted stores. We check everything for you, including the store's trustworthiness, service network, credibility, and independent reviews, so you don't have to. We are starting with this because no one else is doing it. It does not make them money. For us, the most important thing is helping you. Money comes later.

Question 2

What is the "Trustworthiness" rating?

Accepted Answer

It's our trust score for each store (Excellent, High, Medium, Low). We analyse a store's credibility, reputation, service network, warranty, independent reviews, and other metrics to determine a rating, so you have a clear idea of where a store stands and can make the right decision.

Question 3

Do you sell phones directly?

Accepted Answer

No. We don't hold inventory or process payments. We compare prices and link you to the store with the best deal, where you complete the purchase.

Question 4

How do you make money, is it free?

Accepted Answer

The site is free to use. We may earn a referral commission from stores when you buy through our links. It never changes the price you pay.

Question 5

How often are prices updated?

Accepted Answer

Prices are refreshed regularly (typically twice a day) from each store. The price you see is the latest we scraped; the final price is always confirmed on the store's own page.

Question 6

Is the price shown the final price?

Accepted Answer

We show the lowest available price per condition. Always confirm the exact price, delivery, and offers on the store's checkout page before paying.

Question 7

Why do prices differ for the same phone?

Accepted Answer

Price depends on the condition grade, storage, color, the store's pricing, and current stock. We surface the cheapest in-stock option and let you compare all of them.

Question 8

Can I see the price history and get drop alerts?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Each phone page has a price-history chart showing the daily lowest price, so you can tell whether now is a good time to buy. You can also tap "Notify me when the price drops" to get a browser push notification with the new price the next time it falls. On iPhone or iPad, add WhatPhone to your Home Screen first; we show instructions.

Question 9

Why is a phone shown as "Out of stock" or "No stores"?

Accepted Answer

We keep listings for phones that are currently unavailable so you can still see their last known price and get notified when they're back. Out-of-stock options are never shown as the best price.

Question 10

How do I find only 5G refurbished phones?

Accepted Answer

Use the 5G filter on the listing, or browse the dedicated 5G pages (All, Android, Apple 5G refurbished phones).

Question 11

How do I filter by brand, price, or storage?

Accepted Answer

Use the filters for brand, price range, storage, availability, and condition. You can also sort by Best Deal, Price low-to-high, or high-to-low.

Question 12

My order has a problem, who do I contact?

Accepted Answer

Because you buy directly from the store, returns, refunds, delivery, and warranty claims are handled by that store. Contact the store you purchased from; their policies apply.

Question 13

Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone?

Accepted Answer

Yes, when you buy from a reputable seller. A proper refurbisher fully wipes the device, tests every function (screen, battery, cameras, ports, network), replaces faulty parts, and grades it. The risk comes from unverified marketplace sellers, not from refurbished phones themselves, which is why we vet each store's trustworthiness and show its warranty and reviews.

Question 14

What's the difference between refurbished and used phones?

Accepted Answer

A used phone is sold as-is by its previous owner, with no testing or guarantee. A refurbished phone has been professionally inspected, repaired if needed, cleaned, data-wiped, graded by condition, and usually comes with a warranty. You pay a little more than raw used, but you get a tested device and recourse if something is wrong.

Question 15

How much can you save buying refurbished vs new?

Accepted Answer

Usually 20 to 50 percent off the new price, depending on the model, age, and condition grade. Older flagships often see the biggest drops, so a one or two year old premium phone can cost less than a new mid-ranger while still outperforming it. Compare the live prices on each phone page to see the exact saving.

Question 16

What do the condition grades mean?

Accepted Answer

Refurbished phones are graded by their cosmetic and functional quality. You'll see grades like Premium Renewed and Saver Series (ControlZ), Fair, Good, Superb (Cashify and similar), Like New, Open Box, and a few store-specific labels. Higher grades cost more and look closer to new.

Question 17

What grade refurbished phone should you buy?

Accepted Answer

If looks don't matter, a lower grade like Fair or Good saves the most and works just as well. If you want a near-new appearance, pick Superb, Like New, or Premium Renewed. Every grade is tested and functional; the grade mainly reflects cosmetic wear, so match it to your budget and how fussy you are about marks.

Question 18

What does "Unknown Condition" mean?

Accepted Answer

Some stores list refurbished stock without a specific grade. We label these "Unknown Condition" so you know the grade isn't specified. Check the store page for details.

Question 19

Are refurbished phones reliable, and how long do they last?

Accepted Answer

Refurbished phones from reputable stores are tested and restored to working condition, and they last as long as the equivalent new phone from that point on. Lifespan depends on the model and battery health, not on the fact that it was refurbished, so a well-graded device with a healthy battery typically gives several years of use.

Question 20

Do refurbished phones come with a warranty?

Accepted Answer

Most do. Warranty varies by store and listing, anywhere from a few days' checking warranty to 6 to 12 months of seller warranty, or "Brand Warranty" when the manufacturer's warranty still applies. Each store's warranty is shown in the comparison table.

Question 21

What does "Certified Refurbished" mean?

Accepted Answer

It means the device passed a defined inspection and repair process and meets the seller's quality standard, usually with a warranty. The exact checklist varies by seller, so "certified" is only as strong as the store behind it. Check the grade, what was tested or replaced, and the warranty length, all of which we surface per store.

Question 22

Do refurbished phones have original batteries?

Accepted Answer

Often yes, but not always. Good refurbishers test battery health and replace the battery if it is below a threshold. Some listings state the battery health percentage or note a replaced battery. If battery life matters to you, pick a higher grade or a listing that mentions battery health, and check the warranty.

Question 23

Can refurbished phones get software updates?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Refurbishing doesn't change update eligibility, which the manufacturer sets per model. A refurbished phone gets the same OS and security updates as a new unit of the same model, so prefer newer models if you want the longest update window.

Question 24

Are refurbished phones unlocked or carrier-locked?

Accepted Answer

In India phones are sold unlocked, so a refurbished phone works with any operator's SIM. Check the listing for network band support if you need a specific 5G band, and buy from stores that guarantee the device is not lost or blacklisted.

Question 25

Do refurbished phones come with a charger and box?

Accepted Answer

It varies by seller. Many ship in generic packaging with a charging cable, while a charger or the original box may or may not be included. The store page lists what's in the box, so check there before buying if accessories matter to you.

Question 26

What should you check before buying a refurbished phone?

Accepted Answer

Check the condition grade, the warranty length, the seller's trust score and reviews, the return window, and whether battery health is stated. On WhatPhone these all sit on every phone page and store comparison, so you can weigh price against grade and warranty before you buy.

Question 27

Is buying refurbished better for the environment?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Reusing an existing phone avoids the mining, manufacturing, and shipping a new one needs, and keeps a working device out of e-waste. Buying refurbished is one of the simplest ways to cut the footprint of your next phone.

Frequently Asked Questions