If you’re thinking about buying a refurbished phone, one of the first questions that usually comes up is: “What’s the battery life like?”
It’s a fair question, after all, no one wants a phone that dies halfway through the day. But the good news is, refurbished phones can still offer solid and reliable battery life, as long as you know what to look for.
What is battery health?
Battery health refers to how much charge your phone can hold compared to when it was new. Over time, all batteries wear down — that’s normal. As they age, they slowly lose capacity, which shortens the time between charges.
On an iPhone, for example, you can check this by heading to:
Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging → Maximum Capacity
A brand-new phone starts at 100%, but that percentage drops with regular use. Once it gets too low, you might notice your phone doesn’t last as long or takes longer to charge.
How good are refurbished phone batteries?
At the iOutlet, every refurbished phone is tested by trained in-house technicians. If the battery doesn’t meet our high standards, it gets replaced.
We guarantee a minimum of 75% of the original battery capacity — enough to get you through the day for most average users. And if you want extra peace of mind, you can always upgrade to a brand-new battery at checkout.
What does that mean in real life?
A phone with 75–85% battery health will still handle day-to-day tasks like calls, messages, browsing, and streaming just fine. If you’re a heavier user or rely on your phone for work or travel, opting for a battery upgrade is a smart move.
You can also make your battery last longer by:
- Keeping your phone between 20% and 80% charged
- Avoiding extreme temperatures
- Turning off background app refresh for apps you don’t use
So, is it worth it?
Absolutely. A refurbished phone is a brilliant way to save money, reduce waste, and still get the features and performance you need, including decent battery life.
As long as you buy from a trusted seller like the iOutlet, and you’re clear on your options (like upgrading the battery if needed), there’s really no downside.
Ready to find your next phone?
Explore our range of refurbished deals, including iPhones and Androids — all tested, covered by warranty, and available with battery upgrades for that extra bit of reassurance.
