What Does "Refurbished" Mean in Germany?
A refurbished (aufgearbeitet or generalüberholt) device is a used product that has been inspected, tested, and where necessary repaired or reconditioned before resale. The extent of this process varies enormously:
- Manufacturer-certified refurbishment (e.g. Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung Certified Re-Newed): uses original or manufacturer-approved parts, full testing, new battery in many cases, and often a manufacturer warranty
- Third-party certified refurbishment (e.g. Back Market, refurbed): independent testing and grading according to a defined standard, with the refurbisher's own warranty
- Basic resale: a used device listed as refurbished with minimal testing — quality entirely dependent on the individual seller
Grading Systems Explained
Most refurbished phone sellers use an A/B/C grade system. The definitions are not universal, but the general market interpretation in Germany is:
| Grade | Typical condition | Typical price vs. new |
|---|---|---|
| Grade A / "Wie neu" (As New) | No visible scratches or marks. May have been opened and returned unused, or lightly used. Functionally identical to new. Some sellers include "Grade A+" for factory-sealed returns. | 15–25% below RRP |
| Grade B / "Gut" (Good) | Minor cosmetic wear: light scratches on back or frame, possible faint screen marks. All functions fully operational. Most common grade in the market. | 25–40% below RRP |
| Grade C / "Akzeptabel" (Acceptable) | Visible cosmetic damage: scratches, dents, possibly a worn frame. All functions operational. Not suitable if aesthetics matter. Battery may be lower capacity. | 40–55% below RRP |
A "Grade A" device from one seller may be equivalent to "Grade B" from another. Always read the specific seller's grading criteria, not just the letter. The battery health percentage and any listed cosmetic notes are more informative than the grade letter alone.
Where to Buy Refurbished Phones in Germany
Back Market (backmarket.de)
One of the largest refurbished marketplaces in Europe. Devices are graded and sold by professional refurbishers, not Back Market directly. Each seller has an independent rating. Back Market provides a 30-day money-back guarantee and mediates disputes. Warranty comes from the individual seller, typically 12 months.
refurbed (refurbed.de)
Austrian-origin platform focused on the German-speaking market. Claims 40-point testing process. Offers a 12-month warranty and 30-day return right above the legal minimum. Battery is replaced on devices where health is below threshold.
Apple Certified Refurbished (apple.com/de/shop/refurbished)
Devices refurbished by Apple using genuine parts. Include new battery, new outer casing where relevant, and full Apple 1-year warranty (upgradeable to AppleCare). Among the most reliable in the market — but typically the most expensive of the refurbished options.
Amazon Renewed (amazon.de)
Amazon's own refurbished programme with a 1-year guarantee and 30-day return policy. Quality varies because sellers submit devices; Amazon sets the standards. Read individual product condition notes carefully.
Saturn / MediaMarkt Refurbished
Both retailers sell refurbished devices in-store and online. Often manufacturer-certified refurbishment programmes (Samsung Re-Newed, Apple Certified). Advantage: ability to inspect in-store before buying. Return policy and warranty terms match their standard retail process.
Legal Warranty on Refurbished Devices
When buying from a commercial seller — including all platforms listed above — the statutory Gewährleistung applies. For used goods, this is 2 years unless explicitly reduced to 1 year in the purchase terms. Many refurbished sellers offer their own 12-month warranty above the legal minimum — but the legal 2-year seller liability (or 1 year if contracted) exists regardless of whether they advertise it.
When buying from a private seller (Privatverkäufer) on eBay Kleinanzeigen or similar platforms, no statutory warranty applies. The seller can and often does explicitly exclude any liability for defects.
What to Inspect on Arrival
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1
Verify the grade matches the listing
Inspect the device under good lighting against the grade description. Cosmetic condition should match what was listed. Document any discrepancy immediately with photos before contacting the seller.
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2
Check battery health
On iPhone: Settings → Battery → Battery Health. Reputable sellers should disclose the battery health percentage. For Android, apps like AccuBattery or the manufacturer's own diagnostic tools can report battery condition. A healthy refurbished phone should have battery health above 80%.
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3
Check for prior account links
Ensure no previous owner's account is linked. On iPhones, Activation Lock (Find My iPhone) must be fully disabled. On Samsung devices, check that Samsung Account and Google Account are removed. A device with an active Activation Lock is essentially unusable without the previous owner's credentials.
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4
Test all hardware functions
Test touchscreen responsiveness across the full screen, front and rear cameras, speakers, microphone, charging port, SIM tray, and all physical buttons. Use a third-party SIM to confirm network connectivity.
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5
Verify the IMEI is clean
Check the IMEI against a blacklist database (for example via GSMA's official checker or a reputable IMEI service) to confirm the device has not been reported stolen or blocked. A blocked IMEI device cannot connect to any legitimate network.