Are Giffgaff Refurbished Phones Unlocked?

If you want to get a Giffgaff phone you could be having questions. Most people ask are Giffgaff refurbished phones unlocked.

It is paramount to get the right answers before buying one. You do not want to go out there investing in a device that does not meet your needs.

All Giffgaff refurbished phones are sold when unlocked. In other words, the phone can be used with any line. You will not be limited to the Giffgaff network after purchasing the phone. Even so, you will be subjected to unique credit purchase rules compared to new products.

If you are thinking about purchasing a refurbished phone, you should find out all the details. This blog looks at unlocked refurbished phones and how to acquire one.

What Are Giffgaff Refurbished Phones?

We know that there are different types of refurbished phones. The ideas we have about refurbished phones are based on previous experiences.

However, refurbished devices vary in quality. There are brands that put more effort into tailoring their refurbished products.

In the case of Giffgaff, all their refurbished phones are second-hand. Their second-hand phones go through careful testing and refurbishing.

Further, the phones sold by Giffgaff are usually acquired while in a usable state. The company takes the phones through the repair, repolishing and resetting process.

Note: To boost customers' confidence, Giffgaff issues warranties on all their refurbished phones.

Are Giffgaff Refurbished Phones Unlocked or Rooted?

All Giffgaff phones are sold while factory unlocked. Unlocking means that the restriction to stick to one network has been removed.

For those wondering are refurbished phones from Giffgaff unlocked, the answer is yes.

So the fact that a Giffgaff phone is unlocked means that, it can accept all SIM cards operating in the UK. Further, Giffgaff cannot lock your phone or limit its functions.

What Are Rooted Phones?

When people purchase refurbished phones, there are always concerns about rooting.

There are many vendors of refurbished phones who carry out rooting. While rooted phones just perform their duties well, they have problems.

Rooting involves alteration to the operating system of a device. While this opens up the device for further development, it also weakens security.

Every device has internal security measures. Such measures prevent your device from being hacked.

When you buy a second-hand or refurbished device, check to see if it is rooted.

You can check by downloading the root checker app. This app should let you know if the device is rooted.

Note: If a device is rooted, it may not accept some apps. High-security apps such as banking apps could also be hacked easily.

Differences Between Giffgaff Refurbished and New Phones

So, what is the main difference between new phones and refurbished ones?

As you may know, Giffgaff sells both new and refurbished devices.

There are a few differences between brand-new and refurbished phones. Below are some key differences.

Refurbs Are Unlocked at Purchase

The first difference is that all refurbished phones are factory unlocked. This means that all Giffgaff refurbished phones can use any SIM card.

You can operate on any network you wish when you purchase an unlocked phone.

On the other hand, most new phones are locked. It is not all new phones that are locked.

Some of the new phones are open to all SIM cards. If you buy your phone on credit, chances are that it will be locked.

Giffgaff like all network providers lock their devices. They do this to ensure that if a buyer defaults on payment, action can be taken.

This approach is not used on Giffgaff refurbished devices.

Pricing Differences

The other big difference between Giffgaff’s refurbished devices and new ones is the price.

Refurbished phones are way cheaper compared to new ones. Even if you are buying the same make and model, refurbs are cheaper.

For this reason, refurbs are ideal for those who need quality products at a low price.

Outward Look Differences

It should be expected that the outlook of refurbished phones varies from new ones. New phones usually have no scratches or any signs of usage.

The Giffgaff refurbished phones are ranked based on outward appearance and performance.

Those that look as good as new attract higher prices compared to those that have undergone some wear.

Accessories Differences

It is also common to receive different accessories for refurbished phones. When you purchase a new phone, you will receive the charger, earphones, adapter and other accessories.

For refurbished phones, the best you get is a charger.

Can You Buy Giffgaff Unlocked Phones on Credit

Yes, you can buy all Giffgaff phones on credit as long as you qualify. Both refurbished and new phones are available on credit.

Given that the refurbished ones are unlocked, you may wonder if credit applies.

To purchase a device from Giffgaff on credit, there are just four key requirements.

• You must be older than 18 years of age
• You must have a valid functional UK address where the phone will be sent
• You must be a holder of either a credit or a debit card for payment processing
• You should be willing to provide any other information that can determine your credit rating.

Note: For all devices obtained on credit, you will be subjected to credit checks.

Conditions for Giffgaff Unlocked Phones on Credit

Given that you are purchasing an unlocked phone on credit, there are some requirements.

These requirements by Giffgaff add a layer of security for the company issuing unlocked phones.

The conditions are as follows:

• If you have a Giffgaff SIM card, you are required to buy a £10 Goodybag for refurbished phones classified as new. This is a mandatory requirement when purchasing the phone.

•  You must be subjected to a credit check. After the credit check, the required amounts will be deducted from your card

Note: You will not be required to buy the Goodybag with the other categories of refurbished phones.

What Happens if I Fail to Pay For My Unlocked Phone?

When you purchase a Giffgaff-locked phone on credit, you are obligated to pay for it. Failure to pay will result in your phone being cut off.

This approach is used by most mobile phone providers. By locking a phone to a specific network, the user is mandated to pay.

In the case where the phone is unlocked, things are different. To start, you are encouraged to purchase the phone with a one time fee.

If you choose to buy on credit, you must have a good score. Your credit rating is the only guarantee needed to purchase the phone.

If you fail to pay the phone, Giffgaff will use available means of credit collection.

These options include tracking you down and initiating proceedings among others.

Do Giffgaff Refurbished Phones Come With Previous User Data?

All the phones sold by Giffgaff are factory reset. Factory resetting a device simply means erasing all data and apps.

The settings of the device are also readjusted to factory mode.

Through factory resetting, the phone is delinked from the previous user. You will not find previous user’s contacts or apps in the refurbished phone. Further,

Can I Return an Unlocked Refurbished Phone to Giffgaff

Giffgaff has a return policy for all their unlocked devices. The return policy involves money-back option and a warranty option.

For the money back, you are guaranteed of your cash in 21 days.

If you do not like the device you receive, just send it back to Giffgaff and you will receive cashback. The other option is the warranty. The Giffgaff warranty depends on the device.

Devices that are sold in very good condition attract warranties of up to 34 months.

Most devices have a warranty of between 12 and 18 months.

Summary

So, are Giffgaff refurbished phones unlocked or not? The answer is simple, they are all unlocked.

Even if you buy the latest phone, it is unlocked.

As long as the device you are buying is categorized as refurbished, it will be unlocked at purchase

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