If it is becoming more and more democratic, the refurbished market still faces many clichés. Phone in disappointing condition, extended delivery time, lack of choice… Preconceptions that no longer have any place in 2022, since players, such as CertiDeal, are now reaching maturity and offering good quality items. Like this “perfect condition” iPhone 12 we received a few days ago.
Faced with soaring prices for high-end smartphones, the market for second-hand phones has exploded. Many companies specializing in the refurbishment and resale of devices, like CertiDeal, have thus emerged.
Although this type of service allows you to enjoy a premium smartphone at a much lower price than when it was released, it still suffers from many misconceptions. Both on the richness of its catalog and on the quality of the telephones. Clichés that we wanted to experience with a refurbished iPhone 12 “in perfect condition” from CertiDeal. We took it up close to see what it looks like.
An iPhone that looks like new
After just a few days of waiting, the refurbished iPhone 12 is finally in our hands. CertiDeal indeed ensures a shipment in 6 days, a period substantially similar to that of a traditional sign.
First observation: the product is well packaged. Delivered in a rigid cardboard box, the iPhone 12 is held in place by a plastic film so as not to suffer any shock during transport. Once the protection and the smartphone are removed from the box, we discover a charging block and cable compatible with it. This is indeed one of CertiDeal’s guarantees: supplying a power cable with all its refurbished smartphones. What you avoid having to spend an additional thirty euros in the purchase of a charger.
It’s time to look at the iPhone 12. The one we received is certified as “Perfect Condition”. And it shows. The exterior appearance of the iPhone 12 is impeccable, without the slightest scratch on the back of the smartphone. We just spotted a tiny 2mm superficial scratch on the screen. It is completely invisible in use and we had to pass the iPhone through several hands before anyone spotted it. Quibble. What about corners, which are often the first to suffer a shock during daily use? Again, nothing to report, no impact, everything is perfect.
From near and far, our refurbished iPhone 12 therefore looks like a smartphone just out of the store. We are still faced with a superb phone that offers a pleasant grip. Whether on the iPhone 12 or on all its other devices, CertiDeal always offers 3 aesthetic grades, namely:
- correct: the screen may have visible and invisible micro-scratches when it is turned on and scratches or impacts are visible on the cover;
- very good condition: the screen is in excellent condition while the case may have superficial micro scratches;
- perfect condition: the screen is like new and the shell is in perfect condition (or may have barely visible micro scratches).
Three grades that have an influence on the price. You will pay less for a phone in “good” condition than for a smartphone in “perfect condition”. In all cases, devices refurbished by CertiDeal display a much lower price than their new peers.
At CertiDeal, the iPhone 12 is thus sold from 631.99 euros against 859 euros for a new model.
A phone checked from top to bottom
Back to the iPhone 12. Because after the aesthetic department, what about the proper functioning of the device? It turns on fine and everything works fine. Its A14 Bionic chip, compatible with 5G, offers excellent performance, which allows you to play demanding games without slowing down, or to navigate between many applications with complete fluidity.
It must be said that CertiDeal leaves nothing to chance to ensure that its smartphones work perfectly. The service begins by sourcing from operators, choosing smartphones that have known only one owner. A strategy that guarantees the consumer that his phone has not been manipulated by several people before him. Then, CertiDeal entrusts its devices to its reconditioning experts. This is an internal service that takes care of checking the correct functioning of the product, testing it and repairing it if necessary.
In the case of the iPhone 12, for example, CertiDeal experts checked the general condition, but also the proper functioning of all the buttons, the two photo modules, the Lightning socket, the network connectivity or the quality of the loudspeakers, to name but a few points.
There remains the battery, which is the first concern when choosing a second-hand phone. Again, CertiDeal controls it from all angles. The company guarantees a strong battery of at least 80% of its capacity when new, both in the “correct”, “very good” and “perfect condition” states.
Finally, CertiDeal offers a 24-month warranty that covers all breakdowns independent of your use. The battery has a 3 month warranty.
Many high-end smartphones
The ultimate cliché that CertiDeal twists its neck is that of a lack of choice among refurbished smartphones. The French company offers many high-end smartphones, including almost all recent iPhones, from the iPhone 13 mini to the iPhone X, including the iPhone 12 or the iPhone 11 Pro.
Phones that can accompany you for many years, as their performance is still excellent on the current market. The iPhone 12, for example, still benefits from the latest iOS updates, just like a new iPhone 13.