Motorola Smartphones used and refurbished

Motorola is one of the few brands that sells a flip phone, a water-resistant mid-ranger and a budget model with a big battery all under one roof. The spread is huge. A dual-screen Razr and a basic Moto E are completely different phones, even though both carry the same M logo on the back.

In this category you'll find used and refurbished Motorola phones from three main lines: the foldable Razr, the mid-to-upper-range Edge and the broad moto g family, rounded off by the simplest moto e models. Before it's listed again, every handset goes through a technical check with SWOPiFY partners and, if anything needs fixing, a repair as well.

Which Motorola phones will you find in this category?

The one that stands out most is the Razr 50 Ultra – a flip phone that folds down to fit a small pocket, with a large outer screen that lets you reply to a message without opening it. It's the pick for anyone who wants something other than yet another flat rectangle. The newer Razr 60 has also appeared in the range.

The Edge series is all about looks, with curved or slim pOLED screens: Edge 30, Edge 40 Neo and Edge 50 Neo, and from time to time the Edge 40, Edge 50 Pro or Edge 50 Ultra too. The Edge 50 Neo is IP68-rated and meets the MIL-STD-810H standard, so rain and splashes don't bother it. The moto g range, including the G82 and G24, covers sensible everyday phones – plenty of models with "Power" in the name are built around a battery that lasts a long day.

Why consider a refurbished Motorola?

A refurbished Motorola costs less than the same model bought new in a shop. You'll notice it most with the Razr 50 Ultra and the higher-end Edge models, where the new price can be a real deterrent. For what you'd spend on a new mid-ranger, you can sometimes get a refurbished model from a higher line.

The second argument is simpler than it sounds. Every phone that gets a new owner pushes back the moment it turns into e-waste. That doesn't make buying one an act of eco-heroism, but a working device is better off in use than sitting in a drawer.

What should you check before buying?

Motorola isn't one of the leaders when it comes to Android updates. The Razr 50 Ultra and Edge 50 Pro are promised three major OS updates, the Edge 50 Neo was announced with five years of support, while the cheapest moto g models, such as the G24, weren't promised a single new Android version at launch – only security patches. With an older handset, check which version it runs and whether it's still supported.

In this category you can filter Motorola phones by:

• storage – 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB, with 32 GB or 64 GB on some of the simpler moto e models;
• RAM – from 6 GB to 12 GB in the available handsets;
• colour;
• price range, including your own custom range;
• condition.

If you want the longest possible support, go for a newer Edge. For calls, maps and messaging apps a moto g is plenty, and the price difference is better spent on more storage. The Razr makes sense when the shape of the phone matters to you as much as the specs.

What does the technical check involve?

Before a phone is listed, it goes through a 44-point checklist. SWOPiFY partners check, among other things:

• the screen – touch response, pixels and signs of wear, plus the hinge and outer screen on a Razr;
• the battery – its health and physical condition;
• all cameras;
• the fingerprint reader and face recognition;
• connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC;
• SIM card detection;
• speakers and microphone;
• ports and connectors.

The checks are carried out by specialist partners, chosen through a multi-stage selection process. They're the ones who decide whether a phone needs repairing before it goes back on sale.

Can you trust refurbished Motorola phones?

The refurbished Motorola phones in this category are used devices – we don't pretend they're new, and we never suggest otherwise. Each handset is given one of four condition grades: Premium, Very good, Good or Fair, so you know what to expect from the body and screen before you buy.

Every purchase comes with a warranty. If something stops working after a few weeks, you have someone to turn to – which is usually missing when you buy a phone from a classified ad.

Got an old phone you no longer use?

Trade it in through our buyback programme and bring down the cost of your next purchase. No need to post an ad or arrange meetings with buyers, and the phone goes back into circulation.

Browse the available Motorola models and pick the one that suits the way you use your phone – flip or no flip.