Refurbished or new: what the warranty really changes
Price is not the only gap. Grade, battery, warranty length: the full picture before deciding.
The price gap between a new device and its refurbished equivalent sits around 30 %. The real question is elsewhere: what was replaced, and what is covered.
What the grades cover
- Grade A: fewer than three signs of use visible at thirty centimetres.
- Grade B: visible scratches, no effect on function.
- Grade C: clear marks, sometimes affecting the shell.
These grades are not standardised between shops. A serious seller defines them precisely on the listing, with photos of the exact unit.
The battery is the critical point
A battery stated at “over 85 % capacity” is not a new battery. On a three-year-old device, that can mean two years of use left, not five. Shops that always replace the battery say so: it is a genuine differentiator.
Statutory and seller warranty
In France, refurbished goods sold by a professional carry the two-year statutory conformity guarantee. Many shops add a workshop warranty on top, parts and labour included.
Our verdict
For office use or a second device, grade A refurbished with a new battery is hard to beat. For heavy daily use over five years, the price gap narrows and new becomes defensible again.
This advice comes from the marketplace
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