Last month I faced a decision: I needed three devices. An iPhone for myself, a MacBook for home office, a Samsung for my daughter. The question was simple: Should I buy new or refurbished?
New prices according to Apple and Samsung stores: nearly €2,900. I ended up paying €1,581.
That's €1,319 less. Not theoretically. Not "up to." Concrete savings in my bank account. This proves: refurbished savings are real. I took the time to document every single price so I could show you exactly where the money goes.
If you're still wondering whether refurbished electronics make sense for you: Here's the real breakdown.
The Starting Point: Three Devices, Three Price Ranges
I didn't want budget compromises. Current models, solid specs, nothing ancient. Exactly what most people would buy if they wanted something nice.
These were my target devices:
iPhone 14 Pro (not the latest, but still excellent)
MacBook Air M3 (current entry point for Apple laptops)
Samsung Galaxy S23 (solid Android flagship)
Let's be honest: I could have gone for the iPhone 16 Pro. Or the S24. But I deliberately picked a model that's one generation back. Why? Because this is exactly where the refurbished price comparison logic works best: You get 95% of the performance for 50% of the price.
The iPhone 14 Pro: €400-500 Saved
New price at Apple when it was still sold: €1,149.
Refurbished price? According to refurbed.de, between €650 and €750 depending on condition and storage. I paid €699 for a "Very Good" condition unit.
That's €450 in savings. On one device.
What I got: An iPhone with 97% battery capacity, a minimal scratch on the frame (that I found after five minutes of searching), and 24 months warranty. After three months of use? No difference from a new device. Zero.
By the way: The iPhone 15 Pro 256GB is also available refurbished from €766. That's up to 40% below the original retail price. If you want something newer.
The MacBook Air M3: Up to 40% Cheaper
Apple sells refurbished MacBooks in their Certified Refurbished Store. Savings there? About 15%. Nice, but not exciting.
With independent refurbishers like Refurbed or Back Market, it's different. There you'll find the MacBook Air M3 with savings of up to 40%.
I paid €849 instead of €1,299 new. That's €450 I kept.
The reason for the price difference: Apple Certified Refurbished has extremely strict standards and replaces practically everything. Independent refurbishers work more efficiently and pass some savings on. Worth it? I've never had problems. But everyone needs to decide for themselves.
If you want to learn more, we have a detailed MacBook buying guide.
The Samsung Galaxy S23: The Real Price Drop
This is where it gets really interesting.
New price at launch: €859.
Refurbished price today? At Janado starting at €290.90.
That's 66% savings. Two thirds. On a flagship smartphone that'll still get 3-4 years of updates.
I paid €433 for a "Like New" model with 256GB. Savings: €426. For a phone.
Why is Samsung so much cheaper than Apple? Because depreciation on Android devices is steeper. Annoying for new-price buyers, perfect for refurbished savings.
Those specifically looking for Samsung can find our detailed Samsung buying guide.
The Total Calculation
| Device | New Price | Refurbished | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 14 Pro | €1,149 | €699 | €450 (39%) |
| MacBook Air M3 | €1,299 | €849 | €450 (35%) |
| Samsung Galaxy S23 | €859 | €433 | €426 (50%) |
| Total | €3,307 | €1,981 | €1,326 (40%) |
Okay, I need to correct myself. Above I wrote €2,900 because I'd taken the lower Apple price without AppleCare. Honestly calculated with MSRP: €3,307 total, €1,326 less paid.
Almost €1,400. That's a vacation budget. A new bicycle. Six months of gym membership.
And this for three devices I would have needed anyway.
What Does This Mean for the Environment?
Honestly, I didn't care about that when buying. I wanted to save money. Period.
But then I saw the numbers.
According to a Fraunhofer Austria study for refurbed, a refurbished device saves an average of 80% of CO₂ emissions compared to a new device. The range is between 69% and 91%, depending on product category.
That means: My three devices together caused about 80% fewer emissions than new products. Water usage: 86-88% less. E-waste? 80% less.
I saved €1,326 AND helped the environment. Where else do you get that?
If this topic interests you, read our article about CO₂ footprint of refurbished devices.
Is Refurbished Right for Everyone?
No.
If you need the absolute latest, on launch day, then no. There are no refurbished devices available yet.
If you want a specific model in an exotic color? Difficult. Refurbished means: You take what's available.
And if you're allergic to minimal signs of use? Then pick "Like New" or actually buy new.
But if you're like 90% of people who just want a good device that works and isn't overpriced? Then refurbished is absolutely worth it.
According to GfK, around 2 million refurbished phones are sold annually in Germany. Nearly 10% of all smartphone purchases. This isn't a niche market anymore.
What You Should Know Before Buying
Warranty is Mandatory
Under EU law, you get at least 12 months of legal warranty. Most reputable sellers add 12-36 months of voluntary warranty on top.
No warranty? Stay away.
More in our warranty guide.
Check Condition Carefully
"Like New" isn't the same as "Good." The differences are real. Spending €50 more for a better condition grade means no regrets about visible scratches later.
Read our guide to condition grades beforehand.
Verify Battery Capacity
For smartphones: Below 80% is critical. Most refurbished sellers guarantee at least 80%, often 85%+. Ask if not specified.
My Verdict After 3 Months
All three devices run flawlessly. No failures, no surprises. Batteries hold up as promised. The scratches? I forget about them after day two.
€1,326 saved.
Would I buy this way again? Instantly.
The only difference from buying new: I paid less and had to wait two days for delivery instead of one. That's it.
If you want to compare prices yourself now: At refurbito you can see prices from all major sellers at a glance.