Here is the honest version, no jargon. A refurbished phone almost never arrives with a brand-new battery, and for most people that is completely fine once you understand three numbers: the battery health it ships with, the floor a seller guarantees, and what happens when it dips below that floor. Get those right and a refurbished battery is a non-issue. Below is exactly what to look for, and exactly what Reboxed promises.
What is battery health, really?
Battery health is the percentage of your phone's original capacity that is left. A brand-new battery is 100%. Every charge cycle wears it down a little, so an 18-month-old phone might sit around 90%, and a well-used three-year-old phone might be in the low 80s. On an iPhone you can see it yourself in Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health and Charging. On most Samsung and Pixel phones it is less obvious, so a good refurbisher will test and tell you.
Worth knowing: a battery at 90% is barely distinguishable from new in everyday use. It is usually below roughly 80% that people start to notice their phone needing a top-up before the day is done.
Do refurbished phones come with new batteries?
Usually, no, and any seller who implies otherwise is being loose with the truth. A refurbished phone is a pre-owned device that has been tested, cleaned, securely data-wiped and graded. Unless the battery has been replaced or you have specifically chosen a new-battery option, it is the original cell. Let's be clear though: "new versus used" is the wrong question. The question that actually protects you is what battery health is guaranteed, and what the seller does when it drops.
What battery health should you expect from Reboxed?
We grade the battery on every device through TechCheck®, and we back it with a 24-month battery warranty (added at checkout). Rather than a vague "good battery" promise, there is a clear floor by device age, and if your phone drops to it within the 24 months we replace the battery free:
| Device age at purchase | Starting battery health | Free replacement if it drops to |
|---|---|---|
| New (0 to 1 year old) | 100% | 80% or below |
| 1 to 2 years old | 90% to 100% | 75% or below |
| 2 to 4 years old | 85% to 90% | 70% or below |
So you are not just buying a number on the day, you are buying a guaranteed floor for two years. That is the bit most "battery health" claims quietly leave out.
How the Reboxed battery warranty works
In plain terms: if your battery falls to the claimable threshold above during the 24 months, you get a unique claim reference, post the device to us (or book a walk-in), and we replace the battery at no cost. Posted repairs are typically back with you in 5 to 7 business days, and walk-in appointments are often same day. We will ask you to back up first, because we cannot be liable for data.
A couple of honest caveats, because they matter. The free refresh does not cover batteries on phones with separate damage (water damage, a cracked screen, heat damage or signs of being dropped), and it does not cover deliberate attempts to run the battery down to force a claim. General wear and tear is fine. Devices need to be under four years old at purchase to qualify.
How to make any phone battery last longer
Most battery wear does not come from normal use, it comes from heat and from leaving the phone pinned at 100% or run flat to 0%. A few habits make a real difference whether your phone is new or refurbished:
- Keep it out of heat. A hot car or a sunny windowsill ages a battery faster than anything you do on the screen.
- Live in the middle. Topping up little and often, roughly between 20% and 80%, is gentler than full 0 to 100 cycles.
- Turn on optimised or adaptive charging so the phone finishes charging to 100% just before you wake, not overnight.
- Trim the easy drains: lower screen brightness, and keep your software updated, since updates often include battery fixes.
Where a refurbished battery is not the right call
To be straight with you: if you genuinely need a battery sitting at a perfect 100% with zero compromise, a healthy used battery is not that, and you should either choose a new-battery option where it is offered or buy brand new. For almost everyone else, a tested battery with a guaranteed health floor and a free two-year replacement promise is the sweet spot, and it costs hundreds less than buying new. A used battery at a guaranteed 85% with a refresh promise behind it is often a better deal than a cheap "new" battery of unknown origin.
Should you replace the battery yourself?
Be careful here. A cheap third-party battery or a kitchen-table swap can knock out features (some phones throw a warning or disable health readings after a non-genuine swap) and can affect water resistance. If your battery is struggling, the safer route is the Reboxed warranty refresh or a reputable repair, not a £8 cell off a marketplace.
Ready to upgrade without the new-phone price tag? Shop refurbished iPhones and refurbished Samsung with battery health you can actually see, add the 24-month battery warranty at checkout, and read how TechCheck® grades every device. Got an old phone to clear? You can trade it in at the same time.
Frequently asked questions
Do refurbished phones have good batteries?
They can, as long as the seller tests and guarantees battery health. The original battery is usually used, not new, so what matters is the health it ships with and the floor it is backed to. Reboxed grades every battery with TechCheck® and guarantees a replacement if it drops below the claimable threshold within 24 months.
What battery health does Reboxed guarantee?
It depends on the device's age at purchase. New devices start at 100% with a free replacement if they fall to 80% or below; one to two year old devices start at 90% to 100% with a floor of 75%; two to four year old devices start at 85% to 90% with a floor of 70%, all within the 24-month battery warranty.
Can I get a new battery in a refurbished phone?
Yes, in two ways. Where a new-battery option is offered on the product, you can choose it at purchase. And with the 24-month battery warranty, if your battery drops to the claimable threshold we replace it free of charge.
How do I check my battery health?
On an iPhone, open Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health and Charging to see maximum capacity. Many Samsung and Pixel phones do not show a simple percentage, so you may need a diagnostics tool, which is exactly why buying from a refurbisher that tests and states the figure is worth it.
Does a worn battery affect phone performance?
Below roughly 80% you will mainly notice shorter screen time. On some iPhones a heavily degraded battery can also trigger performance management, which a battery replacement removes. At the health levels Reboxed guarantees, day-to-day performance is unaffected.
