Is Back Market Worth It? A Deep Dive into Refurbished Phones

Back Market has positioned itself as one of the biggest names in refurbished phones, operating in 18 countries and boasting a valuation in the billions. But are their phones truly worth your money? To find out, we took a closer look at three iPhones purchased from Back Market, each in different listed conditions: Excellent, Good, and Fair. Here's what we uncovered.

This Years Came With Fake Receipts…

The Excellent Condition iPhone 12: A Major Disappointment

• Price: $357 USD

• Expectations: An "excellent" condition phone should feel nearly new, with minor wear and tear.

• Reality:

  • Screen Issues: The phone featured a low-quality replacement screen that was dim and poorly fitted, protruding from the body. The bezel was thicker than it should be for an iPhone 12, indicating a non-original screen.

  • Internal Problems: Inside, the phone revealed a water damage indicator turned bright red. Non-original parts, such as a swapped screen IC, yellow tape, and missing shields, were also present. Even screws were missing, and the cameras were poorly mounted.

  • Diagnostics: Tests showed that the ambient light sensor had failed, likely due to the cheap screen replacement.

Verdict: The "excellent" phone was anything but. It felt like a Frankenstein assembly of low-quality parts.

The Good Condition iPhone 12: Slightly Better, but Still Problematic

• Price: $266 USD

• Expectations: Light body scratches, no screen scratches, and at least 80% battery health.

• Reality:

  • Build Quality: The screen was the same poor quality as the "excellent" model, but the body had more visible wear and scratches.

  • Internal Build: Like the previous phone, this one had a red water damage indicator and lacked proper seals. The battery was adhered haphazardly with adhesive stuck to critical components, showcasing subpar repair work.

  • Diagnostics: While the phone passed diagnostic tests with no major issues, the internal inspection revealed numerous red flags.

Verdict: Better than the "excellent" model but still failed to meet the standards expected of a $266 refurbished phone.

The Fair Condition iPhone 12: A Surprisingly Good Outcome

• Price: $262 USD

• Expectations: Visible scratches and dents, potentially light screen scratches, and a battery with at least 80% health.

• Reality:

  • Build Quality: Surprisingly, this phone was in the best condition of the three. The screen appeared to be original, and the phone passed all diagnostic tests.

  • Internal Inspection: Unlike the others, the internals of this phone were clean, with no signs of poor repair work, missing screws, or swapped parts.

  • Battery: At 83% health, the battery seemed to be the original and performed as expected.

Verdict: Ironically, the "fair" phone was in the best condition, outperforming the more expensive options.

The Final Verdict: Is Back Market Worth It?

Our findings suggest that Back Market is inconsistent at best and risky at worst. While the "fair" phone exceeded expectations, the "excellent" and "good" models were riddled with issues, from poor-quality repairs to non-original parts. If you’re considering buying from Back Market:

• Be Cautious: Their grading system doesn’t align with the actual quality of the devices.

• Inspect Thoroughly: Ensure you know what you’re getting, and be prepared to test the phone rigorously.

Based on our experience, we cannot confidently recommend Back Market. While there’s a chance of getting a decent phone, the risk of receiving a poorly refurbished one is too high. For now, it might be safer to look elsewhere for refurbished phones.