Buying refurbished smartwatches

What should you look out for when buying a refurbished smartwatch?

When buying second-hand, a smartwatch is more vulnerable than a mobile phone or tablet. The battery is small and is charged daily, meaning it wears out relatively quickly, and the watch must be unlinked from the previous owner’s account. Check these two things before looking at anything else.

Is the activation lock disabled?

This is the most important point. A watch that is still linked to the previous owner’s account is locked, and you cannot resolve this yourself: only the previous owner can remove it from their account. With Apple, this is called the activation lock; with Wear OS, it relates to the linked Google or Samsung account. A reputable refurbisher will sort this out before dispatch. If necessary, ask for confirmation of this in advance, and check it immediately upon receipt by pairing the watch with your own phone.

Is it compatible with your phone?

A smartwatch isn’t a standalone device but an extension of your phone, and not every combination works. Samsung and Google watches run on Wear OS and pair with Android; Apple sticks to the iPhone.

• Apple Watch: works exclusively with an iPhone; you can’t use it with an Android device
• Galaxy Watch: pairs with Android, although some features only work when used with a Samsung phone
• Garmin: works with both Android phones and iPhones, with a focus on sport and battery life

Also, look out for models with mobile data. Such a watch only works independently if your mobile provider supports a separate subscription for a smartwatch. If they don’t, you’ll end up with a watch that can only go online via your phone.

The battery wears out faster than you think

A smartwatch contains a small battery that is charged daily. After a few years, you’ll notice that whilst the watch easily lasted a full day when new, it now barely makes it through the day. On an Apple Watch, you can check the battery health yourself via Settings, Battery, Battery Health. Wear OS watches don’t usually display a percentage, so you’ll need to check with the supplier and test it yourself: wear the watch for 24 hours with your normal settings, i.e. with notifications and heart rate monitoring switched on.

Condition: what do the grades mean?

Condition grades aren’t legally defined. Many sellers use a scale such as A, B and C, with some including an additional grade above these.

• A or as good as new: virtually no signs of use, the most expensive option in the refurbished range
• B or lightly used: slight scratches on the case or strap, hardly noticeable in use
• C or visibly used: clear signs of wear, technically sound

Always compare the description for each grade, not just the letter. With a watch you wear every day, those little scratches are bound to happen, so a lower grade is often more justifiable here than with a device that sits in your bag. The difference that really matters is the battery.

Strap, case and water resistance

A worn strap is no reason to pass up an otherwise good watch, as a strap is easy to replace, although Apple and Samsung use their own proprietary fastenings that the strap must fit. More important is the water resistance: the specified rating applies to the watch as it left the factory, and not necessarily after it has been opened for repair. If the watch has been opened, don’t just go swimming or showering with it.

Will it still receive updates?

Check the year of manufacture. Manufacturers support a smartwatch for a limited number of years, and once that support ends, no new features or security updates will be released. If you’re unsure about a specific model, check the manufacturer’s support page to see if that model is still supported. The watch will still work, but a model that is just slightly newer and shows minor signs of use will last longer than an older one in mint condition.

Your rights when buying a refurbished smartwatch

The statutory warranty applies here too: the watch must perform as you would reasonably expect, taking into account that it has been used. If something goes wrong within a year of delivery, it is presumed that the fault was already present at the time of delivery; the seller must then prove that this is not the case. If you buy online, you also have a 14-day cooling-off period, starting from the day you receive the watch. Many refurbishers offer their own warranty period on top of the statutory guarantee; so be sure to factor this into your comparison, along with the rest of the terms and conditions.

Is a refurbished smartwatch worth it?

That depends on what sort of watch you’re after. If you want a higher-end model without paying the full price, then a refurbished one is a good option. If you’re mainly looking for a step counter and notifications on your wrist, a simple fitness tracker will often do just as well – brand new and with a fully charged battery. Have a look at both overviews before you decide.