Equipping forty sales staff with brand-new flagship phones is a heavy line in any budget. Refurbished smartphones for business give you recent models at a fraction of the price of new. There is one condition: you must buy a controlled batch, not a collection of unrelated second-hand handsets.
In short: a good refurbished fleet meets four criteria: consistent batches (same models, same capacities), a grade and a battery health figure disclosed for every device, warranty included, and a supplier who handles returns. Everlink supplies refurbished smartphones, tablets and computers to companies and resellers, tested unit by unit, with tiered pricing by volume and shipping across Switzerland and Europe.
Why companies equip their teams with refurbished phones
Three reasons come up again and again with IT and procurement managers.
Budget. A refurbished smartphone costs a fraction of the price of new. Across a fleet, the saving is multiplied by the number of users and frees budget for other projects.
Actual needs. Most business uses (email, calls, CRM, multi-factor authentication, site photos) do not require last month's model. A device one or two generations old, in good condition, does the job.
Sustainability. The Global E-waste Monitor 2024, published by the UN's research and training institute UNITAR and the ITU, reports a record 62 million tonnes of e-waste generated in 2022, with only 22.3% documented as formally collected and recycled. Keeping a working phone in use for longer is one of the simplest ways for a company to reduce its share, and it can be documented in a CSR or ESG report.
The criteria for a dependable refurbished fleet
Not all refurbished devices are equal. For a fleet, here is what to ask for before signing:
| Criterion | What to ask the supplier | What Everlink states |
|---|---|---|
| Consistency | Same models and capacities across the batch | Consistent batches |
| Testing | Every device tested, not a sample | Tested unit by unit |
| Grade | Condition of screen, frame and back | Grades checked before dispatch |
| Battery | Battery health stated per device | Disclosed for every device |
| Warranty | Warranty included, clear returns process | Warranty included, returns handled simply |
| Price | Pricing that falls as volume rises | Tiered pricing by volume |
Consistency matters more than most buyers expect. A batch of mixed models complicates support, accessories, cases and MDM (mobile device management) profiles. With one model and one capacity, your IT team prepares one configuration and keeps one stock of spare parts.
How to read refurbished grades
A grade describes cosmetic condition, not function: a device supplied as part of a business fleet should work fully whatever its grade. At Everlink, the screen, frame and back are checked before dispatch, and batches are sold by grade (for example Grade A, or Grade A/B).
As a general rule in the market, Grade A shows few or no visible signs of use, while Grade B may show light marks. For devices that will live in a protective case, Grade B often offers the best balance between price and use. For customer-facing teams, Grade A is easier to justify. Always ask for your supplier's grading scale in writing, because definitions vary from one supplier to another.
Battery health: the figure that decides a working day
Battery health is the second number to check, because it determines how long a field employee can work between charges. Apple states that batteries in iPhone 14 models and earlier "are designed to retain 80 per cent of their original capacity at 500 complete charge cycles under ideal conditions", and iPhone 15 models at 1,000 cycles (Apple Support). The current figure appears under Settings, Battery, Battery Health.
Two practical consequences follow. First, compare batches on stated battery health, not only on grade. Second, set an internal threshold with your IT team for each use case: a phone used mainly at a desk tolerates a lower figure than one used all day on the road. Everlink discloses battery health for every device it supplies, so you can compare offers on an objective basis.
Enrolling refurbished devices in your MDM
A refurbished device joins your fleet management like a new one, with one detail for Apple hardware. If you manage iPhones and iPads through Apple Business (formerly Apple Business Manager), a refurbished device is not listed there automatically. Apple explains that devices can be added with Apple Configurator "even if the devices weren't purchased directly from Apple, an Apple Authorized Reseller, or an authorized cellular carrier" (Apple Support). Apple also notes that, for devices added this way, the user has a 30-day provisional period during which they can remove the device from management.
Build this preparation time into your rollout plan, or raise it with Everlink when you order. On Android, enrolment follows the usual methods of your MDM solution.
Buy and sell with the same partner
The most common scenario is not a purchase on its own: it is a replacement. New devices arrive, old ones must go. Everlink works in both directions. You can sell company phones from the outgoing fleet and receive the new batch from the same contact, to the same inspection standards.
This has two advantages. The proceeds from the old fleet offset part of the cost of the new one, and the whole operation runs on one timeline with one contact, independent of any telecom contract. If the switch coincides with the end of a lease, our guide to end of lease devices sets out the sequence.
Beyond smartphones: tablets and computers
A fleet is not always limited to phones. Everlink also supplies refurbished tablets and computers, for instance iPads for field teams or MacBook Airs for mobile staff. The same principles apply: consistent batches, unit-by-unit checks, detailed condition. And when those machines reach the end of their own cycle, they can leave the same way; see how to sell company laptops and IT equipment.
Frequently asked questions
Do refurbished smartphones for business come with a warranty?
Yes. At Everlink, warranty is included with the fleets supplied, and returns are handled simply through your contact.
What is the difference between refurbished and used?
A used device is sold as it is. A refurbished device is tested, wiped and restored before sale. At Everlink, every device is inspected part by part, with its grade and battery health disclosed.
Does the price depend on the volume ordered?
Yes. Pricing is tiered by volume. State your quantities in your request, and the proposal is built around your needs.
Can Everlink deliver to subsidiaries outside Switzerland?
Yes. Everlink ships quickly across Switzerland and Europe.
Can resellers buy batches too?
Yes. Everlink supplies refurbished fleets to companies and resellers alike.
Get a proposal for your fleet
Tell us the models you want, the quantities and the target grade via the contact form (choose "Purchase of a phone fleet"), at info@everlink.ch or on WhatsApp at +41 78 220 72 80. You receive a proposal tailored to your volume. For sample batches, see the fleet supply section.