Google Smartphones used and refurbished

For years, Pixel has been known above all for its camera and clean Android without unnecessary skins – those are the two things people mention most often as the reason to pick a Google phone over the competition. The catch is that a new one, especially from the higher series, costs as much as other brands' flagships. A refurbished Pixel is a way to take that part out of the equation.

In this category you'll find refurbished and used Google phones from the Pixel 6, 8, 9 and 10 series, including the Pro models and the cheaper A versions. Every handset goes on sale after a technical check by SWOPiFY partners and, where needed, servicing as well.

Which Google Pixel phones will you find in this category?

The Pro models – Pixel 8 Pro, 9 Pro and 10 Pro – have the best cameras in the line-up, which makes sense if you take a lot of photos or shoot video and don't want to compromise on that front. The A versions, Pixel 8A and 9A, give you most of the flagship experience for less: a slightly weaker camera and processor, but the same software that Pixels are known for.

The older Pixel 6 is the option for anyone looking for the cheapest way into the Google ecosystem who doesn't need the latest camera features to be happy with their phone day to day. All the models have one thing in common: a minimal Android interface with no manufacturer skin, and for many people that matters as much as the hardware itself.

Why consider a refurbished Pixel?

A refurbished Google phone costs noticeably less than the same model bought new. The saving often lets you choose the Pro over the standard version, or a model with more storage. Rather than buying the cheapest new version, you can go for a refurbished model further up the range for similar money.

There's another side to it, too. A phone that goes back on sale instead of being scrapped is one less device on the e-waste pile and one less reason to manufacture another. That doesn't make the purchase fully green – that would be oversimplifying – but it is a practical way to extend the life of a device that has already been made.

How do you choose the right model?

In this category you can filter Google phones by:

• storage – 128 GB, 256 GB or 512 GB;
• RAM – from 6 GB to 16 GB;
• colour;
• price range;
• condition.

If you take lots of photos or shoot video, a Pro model will serve you better. For everyday tasks – messaging, browsing, social media – an A version or the older Pixel 6 is more than enough, and the price gap can be big enough that it's worth doing the maths before you buy.

What does the technical check involve?

Every phone in this category goes through a 44-point checklist before it goes on sale. The check covers, among other things:

• the screen – function and cosmetic condition;
• the battery – health and physical condition;
• the cameras – every one on the device;
• biometrics, including Face ID or Touch ID;
• connectivity – Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, NFC;
• SIM card detection;
• microphone and speakers;
• ports and connectors.

The checks are carried out by SWOPiFY partners – certified electronics refurbishment specialists chosen through a multi-stage selection process. They decide whether a handset needs repairing before it goes back on sale, which is meant to reduce the risk of a device that's only had a quick once-over ending up in the listings.

Can you trust refurbished Google phones?

The refurbished Google phones in this category are used devices. They aren't sold as new, and we never suggest otherwise. Each handset's condition is described by one of four grades: Premium, Very Good, Good or Fair – each with its own requirements for appearance, battery health and the parts used.

Your purchase comes with a warranty, so if something isn't as it should be, you have formal protection rather than just the seller's word. That's the difference from picking up a used phone from a private seller at random, where once the deal is done you're on your own with the device.

Got an old phone you no longer use?

You can trade it in through our buyback programme and knock some money off your next purchase. It's an easier way to switch phones than hunting for a buyer yourself, and your old device goes back into circulation instead of gathering dust in a drawer for years.

Browse the Google Pixel models on offer and pick the one that fits how you actually use your phone.