Apple Certified Refurbished vs Samsung:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Apple Certified Refurbished had more branded searches than Samsung among refurbished phone retailers in the United Kingdom. Apple Certified Refurbished had about 97,100 branded searches, while Samsung had 1,300. Apple Certified Refurbished made up 13.6% of all refurbished phone retailer searches we track, and Samsung accounted for 0.18%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about refurbished phone retailers, Apple Certified Refurbished appeared in four of the five answers and Samsung in three. Apple Certified Refurbished was mentioned before Samsung in every answer.
Who do people search for more?
Apple Certified Refurbished, about 75 searches for every 1 for Samsung
Who does AI mention more?
Apple Certified Refurbished, mentioned in 4 of 5 answers, Samsung in 3
Who does AI recommend more?
Apple Certified Refurbished, named ahead of Samsung in every answer
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Top refurbished phone retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and two Google AI Overviews, Apple Certified Refurbished was mentioned in four out of five: in all three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Samsung was mentioned in three out of five: in two of the three ChatGPT answers and in one of the two Google AI Overviews. Apple Certified Refurbished was listed before Samsung in every answer.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Back Market4 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 2 of 2 Google answers
Apple Certified Refurbished4 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
giffgaff3 of 5Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
Samsung3 of 5Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
musicMagpie1 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 2 Google answers
Envirofone0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
4gadgets0 of 5Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 2 Google answers
See every answer about refurbished phone retailers
5 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where's the best place to buy a refurbished iPhone in the UK?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Is it safe to buy a refurbished phone online?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which website is best for refurbished phones?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“refurbished iphone”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“refurbished phones”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United Kingdom on October 27, 2026.
Is Apple Certified Refurbished or Samsung more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Apple Certified Refurbished and Samsung by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all seven refurbished phone retailers we track, month by month, from searches in United Kingdom.
Share of searches by month for Apple Certified Refurbished, Samsung. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Back Market | Apple Certified Refurbished | musicMagpie | Envirofone | giffgaff | 4gadgets | Samsung |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 78.6% | 11.5% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.23% |
| Nov 2025 | 79% | 11.3% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.52% | 0.19% |
| Dec 2025 | 81.7% | 9.6% | 4.9% | 1.8% | 1.2% | 0.54% | 0.15% |
| Jan 2026 | 77.8% | 11.2% | 7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.62% | 0.17% |
| Feb 2026 | 77.8% | 11.2% | 7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.61% | 0.19% |
| Mar 2026 | 76.8% | 13.6% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 1.1% | 0.61% | 0.17% |
| Apr 2026 | 78.8% | 11.4% | 5.8% | 2.1% | 1.2% | 0.63% | 0.18% |
| May 2026 | 80.6% | 9.5% | 5.9% | 1.8% | 1.5% | 0.52% | 0.18% |
| Jun 2026 | 80.5% | 9.6% | 5.9% | 1.8% | 1.4% | 0.52% | 0.18% |
| Jul 2026 | 78.9% | 11.4% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 1.4% | 0.51% | 0.23% |
| Aug 2026 | 79.2% | 11.4% | 5.8% | 1.7% | 1.2% | 0.42% | 0.19% |
| Sep 2026 | 76.8% | 13.6% | 5.7% | 2.1% | 1.4% | 0.4% | 0.18% |
How has the Apple Certified Refurbished and Samsung comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Apple Certified Refurbished was ahead of Samsung in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Apple Certified Refurbished’s share of searches among refurbished phone retailers in the United Kingdom moved from 11.5% to 13.6%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 65.9K to 97.1K.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Samsung’s share of searches among refurbished phone retailers in the United Kingdom moved from 0.23% to 0.18%, and its estimated monthly branded searches held steady at 1.3K.
How did search popularity change for United Kingdom refurbished phone retailers in September 2026?
1 change

In September 2026, Apple Certified Refurbished gained share of searches among refurbished phone retailers in the United Kingdom, from 11.4% to 13.6%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Apple Certified Refurbished’s and Samsung’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Apple Certified Refurbished
2 branded search terms
- apple certified refurbished
- apple refurbished
Samsung
1 branded search term
- samsung refurbished
Other head-to-heads among refurbished phone retailers

Back Market vs Apple Certified Refurbished: compare popularity
Back Market vs musicMagpie: compare popularity
Back Market vs Envirofone: compare popularity
Apple Certified Refurbished vs musicMagpie: compare popularity
Apple Certified Refurbished vs Envirofone: compare popularity
musicMagpie vs Envirofone: compare popularity

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