Are Refurbished iPhones the Future of Sustainable Tech

As more phones are being released, we are seeing an increase in refurbished phones being sold. Refurbished phones like the iPhone 15 are becoming popular choices as they are more affordable than buying a new one, and they are sustainable, helping improve sustainability within Tech.

Refurbished phones are good for the environment as the materials are being reused instead of being thrown away and disposed of in a landfill. In an era where environmental sustainability is becoming increasingly critical, opting for refurbished phones is seen as a way to make a difference. Refurbished phones will operate the same way as newly bought phones, as they still retain the technology inside, which is used to make the phone what it is.

With the potential to reduce waste and make a difference to the environment, refurbished iPhones may very well be the future of sustainable tech.

The Environmental Impact of Refurbished iPhones

When companies make new smartphones, such as an iPhone, it has a significant environmental impact. Raw materials like lithium are needed as well as energy-intensive manufacturing processes, which all add together to create a high carbon footprint.

Refurbished iPhones, on the other hand, extend the life of each device. By reusing devices, they will last longer, reducing the need for new production and the number of devices being thrown into a landfill. Millions of electronic devices are discarded each year, causing a huge build-up, which could be reduced by more people opting for refurbished tech instead of buying new each time.

The financial benefit of refurbished iPhones

Tech can be expensive, especially new iPhones. Each year, a new device is launched, and more often than not, it has a small increase in price. The newest top spec iPhone at the moment retails at £1,199, which is a lot of money to a lot of people. Instead of paying that high figure, you could opt for a refurbished model of the model down and benefit from paying a lower fee. For example, a refurbished iPhone 15 is currently priced at around £500; to buy that new from the Apple store, you will have to pay £200 more, as it costs £700. That is a lot more when you consider you are getting the same device.

Challenges with refurbished phones

Despite refurbished phones being beneficial to the environment, there is still a certain stigma attached to them. Understandably, some buyers are skeptical about the quality and longevity of refurbished devices, putting them off from purchasing one. What this means is that more education should be done around refurbished devices as well as campaigns to promote the environmental benefits of refurbished tech. If a company were to guarantee quality, more people may be tempted to try it.

Have you ever bought a refurbished phone, and if not, will you in the future? What are your thoughts on a refurbished phone? Is there anything you think we are missing in our article that we should be adding? Let us know in the comment box below.  We look forward to hearing from you.