How does Envirofone pay you?

Envirofone offers payment through direct bank transfers or PayPal. This ensures a quick and secure transaction, making it easy for you to receive your money without hassle. The Big Phone Store also provides a number of payment options, including the option to spread the cost over 3 instalments through our partner, Klarna.

How long does it take for Envirofone to pay?

After Envirofone receives and checks your phone, payment is typically processed quickly. Most customers receive their payment within a few days, ensuring a prompt and efficient service. The exact time can vary slightly based on processing and transfer times. At The Big Phone Store, payments are always the same day your phone arrives, provided that you select the correct condition before trading in.

Envirofone vs The Big Phone Store

Trade-In Platform vs Full-Service UK Refurbisher - Which is the Better Choice for Your Next Phone?

Compare Features See Final Verdict

Trade-In Platform vs Full-Service UK Refurbisher

Envirofone and The Big Phone Store are two long-standing names in the refurbished phone market. Both are UK-based and both sell refurbished tech — but how they do it, and what that means for customers, is very different.

Envirofone is reliable for trade-ins and refurbished phones, but it tends to offer fewer upgrade options and a narrower device range.

WithThe Big Phone Store, you get more choice and a more hands-on service. We check, grade, and prepare every device to the same standard, so quality stays consistent.

25+

Years in Business (TBPS)

4.8★

Trustpilot Rating (TBPS)

95%

Next-Day Delivery (TBPS)

5M+

Phones Sold Combined

Quick Comparison Table

A comprehensive side-by-side comparison of The Big Phone Store and Envirofone across all key features.

Feature	The Big Phone Store	Envirofone
Refurbished phones since	1999	2005
Trustpilot rating	Excellent (4.8★)	Excellent (4.6★)
Google reviews	4.6★	4.3★
UK-owned and operated	✅	✅
12-Month Warranty	✅	✅
Daily price updates	✅	❌
Flexible payment options	✅	✅
Recommended by Which?	✅	✅
Recommended by MoneySavingExpert	✅	❌
Refurbished and sold in-house	✅	✅
In-person store	✅	❌
UK customer service team	✅	✅
Free next working day delivery (£150+ orders)	✅	❌ (2–3 working days)
95% next-day delivery rate	✅	❌
Same-day dispatch (Mon–Fri before 3 pm)	✅	❌
Returns processed within 3 working days	✅	❌ (5–10 working days)
Wide device range	✅	Mostly Apple & Samsung
Average battery health: 85%+	✅	Not published
Certified 90-point quality checks	✅	❌
Over 5 million phones sold	✅	✅
Speak to a real person	✅	✅

Information correct as of January 2026.

What's Missing from Envirofone — and How We Fill the Gaps

Envirofone is reliable for trade-ins and refurbished phones, but it tends to offer fewer upgrade options and a narrower device range. With The Big Phone Store, you get more choice and a more hands-on service. We check, grade, and prepare every device to the same standard, so quality stays consistent.

Where Envirofone Falls Short	How The Big Phone Store Does It Better
Online-only support	UK team available by phone, email or in-person
Battery health not disclosed	Guaranteed 85%+, 95%+ on "Like New"
Refunds can take 5–10 days	98% processed within 3 working days
No physical retail location	Public retail and refurbishment centre in Wolverhampton
Limited upgrade options	Optional 100% battery upgrade + hand-fitted accessories
Narrower device range	Apple, Samsung, Google, Huawei, OnePlus, Oppo, Motorola, Sony, Nokia, Honor, CAT
Focus on trade-ins and recycling	Specialist refurbishment and direct retail sales

Experience and Trust

Envirofone launched in 2005 and helped normalise phone recycling in the UK. It’s a well-known name for trade-ins. However, its refurbishment operation is newer — beginning in 2013, with work handled through its Plymouth facility.

The Big Phone Store started in 1999, giving us over 25 years of hands-on experience in phone testing and refurbishment.

Every device we sell is restored and certified by our own technicians in Wolverhampton — the same site where we pack and ship your order. This means you benefit from:

Clear, consistent grading
Tight quality checks
Fast turnaround and direct support from the team doing the work

Comparing Envirofone vs The Big Phone Store

Delivery and Returns Comparison

	The Big Phone Store	Envirofone
Dispatch time	Same-day (before 3 pm)	1–2 working days
Delivery speed	95% next working day	Next day delivery available
Returns refund time	98% within 3 working days	5–10 working days
In-person returns	✅	❌

Envirofone's shipping and returns rely on external logistics. At The Big Phone Store, all orders and returns are handled on-site, so most customers receive or refund within days — not weeks.

Value for Money

Envirofone offers competitive pricing, especially on iPhones and Samsungs.

At The Big Phone Store, prices are updated daily and come directly from our own stock — no marketplace fees or middlemen.

We focus on long-term value through certified quality, faster delivery and reliable aftercare.

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Trade-In and Upgrades

Envirofone works well for selling old phones. The difference is how the quote holds up.

At The Big Phone Store, we focus on accurate, guaranteed pricing. We ask more detailed trade-in questions upfront, so you get a quote that matches your phone’s real condition. That means far fewer downgrades and a price you can actually plan around — and we’re one of the only trade-in sites that puts that kind of promise behind the quote. You still get the fast basics:

Instant online quote
Free tracked postage
Same-day payment once your device arrives

Plus optional upgrades for buyers:

100% battery health replacement
Hand-fitted screen and lens protectors
Original manufacturer's box option

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Visit Us in Person

Envirofone operates online only.

The Big Phone Store welcomes visitors to its Wolverhampton facility

📍 Wednesfield Business Park, Wolverhampton, WV11 3SF

🕘 Monday – Friday | 9 am – 5:30 pm

Come see how refurbished tech is tested and sold!

Why UK Customers Choose The Big Phone Store

	The Big Phone Store	Envirofone
UK refurbisher and retailer	✅	✅ (trade-in specialist)
Battery health guarantee	✅	❌
Same-day dispatch	✅	❌
95% next-day delivery	✅	❌
Returns refunded within 3 days	✅	❌
Wider device range	✅	❌

The Verdict

Envirofone is a trusted UK brand for recycling and trade-ins, but its refurbished phones are largely processed through third parties — which can mean slower service and less consistency.

If you want a device that's tested, refurbished and supported directly by a UK specialist, The Big Phone Store is the better choice.

We refurbish everything in-house, offer next-day delivery, fast refunds, and a UK team you can actually speak to.

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Final Verdict - The Big Phone Store Wins

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Envirofone refurbish its own phones like The Big Phone Store?

A: The Big Phone Store handles refurbishment in-house and guarantees clear standards. Envirofone lists devices as "thoroughly quality checked" and offers refurbished phones, but does not clearly state it refurbishes all stock in-house.

Q: What warranty and returns terms do they each offer?

A: Envirofone offers a free 12-month warranty on purchased refurbished devices. TBPS also offers a 12‑month warranty as standard, with faster processing times for returns and refunds.

Q: How transparent are condition grades and battery health details?

A: The Big Phone Store provides detailed condition grades and guaranteed minimum battery health percentages (85%+). Envirofone offers condition grades but does not publish specific battery health guarantees for all devices.

Ready for a Better Refurbished Phone Experience?

Join thousands of satisfied customers who choose The Big Phone Store for quality refurbished phones, transparent pricing, and exceptional UK-based customer service.

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