Raylo Review

Overview of Raylo

Raylo is a phone provider that makes purchasing a phone an uncomplicated and inexpensive experience.

Featured in Business Insider, The Guardian, and Evening Standard with excellent reviews and feedback, this small-scale company is making a notable name for itself within the field of technology products and services.

If you’re always checking out the latest gadget but don’t want to empty out the contents of your wallet, then Raylo may have the answer for you. It’s always great to discover a product that gives you an alternative to what’s currently out there. 

This Raylo review will take an in-depth look at the company’s products, services, customer ratings, and more to help you decide if Raylo is exactly what you’ve been searching for. 

About Raylo

Founded in the United Kingdom (UK), Raylo is an online platform that believes every individual should have the phone of their dreams without having to spend a large amount of money.

In short, Raylo allows people to have a phone—whether the hottest new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy—without struggling to own them. 

Well, why has no one else thought of doing this? On one hand, you get the phone your heart desires and on the other, you get to help out the environment at the same time. It sounds too good to be true. 

With such a unique concept, this Raylo review will go over the brand’s highlights before diving deeper.

Highlights

• Customers get to decide the duration of their certified refurbished Raylo phone’s term
• Options to lease a phone you already own
• The brand offers free cases and screen protectors
• Sustainability is a priority
• Affordable pricing 
• 2-year warranty
• Free next-day shipping
• SIM-only options also available 
• Cancel any time within 30 days 

It might be hard to wrap your mind around how this tech company works, so this Raylo review will break everything down around their leasing and renting terms, getting a SIM card, the networks they’re connected to, pricing, and how it compares to similar companies. 

How Does Raylo Work?

Raylo provides a savings calculator in order for you to calculate in detail what you are saving on, which could be anywhere between $20-$62 on a monthly basis depending on the service network and the type of phone you want i.e. the iPhone 12 or iPhone 12 Pro Max. 

Prices vary on the service provider you’re currently with along with the phone model, and are not fixed. If you’re interested in an iPhone 12, the price point isn’t the same across the board as Raylo determines pricing and savings for every individual network (there are four listed among U.K. networks), in addition to whether or not the phone is brand new or refurbished. 

A step-by-step guide to the brand’s How it Works page can be found by clicking the link here.

Raylo’s Leasing or Renting Terms 

Included in this Raylo review is a detailed guide to product purchasing and subscription options so you know what you’re in for without worrying about any surprise costs.

It’s always frustrating when those costs appear as you checkout with a phone purchase or commit to something you had no idea you were in for. 

In terms of subscriptions, you are allowed to either lease your current phone or rent a phone. If you intend to rent a phone, you simply pick the one of your choice, generally either an iPhone or Galaxy then select the term of your rental—either 12 or 24 months with no upfront charges.

In doing so, Raylo specifies that phone rentals come SIM-free, and that it is the responsibility of the individual renting to acquire a SIM. This is how Raylo calculates your total savings in consideration of the service provider options available in the market. 

The Raylo rent a phone process is streamlined and stress-free. Once your contracted rental term is up, Raylo allows you to opt for an upgrade, keep the phone if you don’t wish to part with it, or return it without any further commitments whatsoever. 

In addition to this, Raylo provides another choice for buyers, and that’s a SIM-only contract per month where the customer does not get the phone but the SIM on its own. And this is an available resource for people who already own a phone and are looking for a SIM replacement, saving you between $18-$20 a month. 

If you intend to follow the Raylo lease a phone option, you could potentially pocket $50-$60 per month for a 12 to 24 month term typically on a Raylo iPhone lease without having to put anything down upfront. 

It should be noted that Raylo’s refurbished phones offer the deepest discounts and savings that have undergone a check before being certified for secondhand use.

Most of the phones offered by the tech company are refurbished in order to align with the enterprise’s eco-friendly philosophy and give you the best deal, making any phone on the market accessible.

If the thought of a secondhand phone makes you nervous, Raylo does have a brand new phone option, providing a new device with some savings as well. If you’re not interested in a Raylo rent iPhone situation or that Raylo SIM-free phones require you to approach a network separately, then a device that’s unused may be the best fit for you.

Somewhat like the rental choice, you select the phone of your choosing and the term which is either 12 to 24 months. Buying a brand new device differs slightly however, since you can select the GB storage amount and are provided with more color options. 

Moreover, the GB amount and the duration of the term determine how much you’ll need to pay on a monthly basis. Let’s say you want the iPhone 12 mini in red with 64GB for a 12 month period, the total cost will be $39 per month. The same phone for 256GB on a 12 month contract will cost $51 every month.

Based on other Raylo reviews, it’s best to extend the contract for the longest period of time (24 months) if you’ve set your heart on the maximum amount of GB storage.

If you want a brand new iPhone 12 mini in red with 256GB, it’s advised to opt for a 24 month period which will only cost $35 per month as opposed to $51 on a 12 month contract. 

What Network Is Raylo?

Technically speaking, Raylo itself is not a network provider. This Raylo reviews found others have stated that the tech company only offers phones themselves.

Although you can purchase a SIM, you’d have to go to one of the bigger, established networks to actually activate and use the device for the purposes of calling, texting, and data usage. 

Since Raylo aims to provide a phone centered around UK network companies, the four main providers mentioned are:

• EE
• O2
• Vodafone
• Three

Not to be confused with the SIM-only option that Raylo offers, this method is meant to eliminate the additional step of searching for a network provider on your own.

In other words, if you do prefer to get a SIM from Raylo, then you’re doing so with the knowledge that the device is hooked up to a specific network already.

Comparison: Raylo vs Wing  

Wing provides an extensive range of products like Airpods and includes brands like LG which Raylo does not have. In addition to this, Wing is an American phone provider that is compatible with:

• Verizon
• AT&T
• Sprint
• T-Mobile 

To break things down easier, we’ll review the iPhone 12 with 64GB storage from Wing for an equal comparison to Raylo’s iPhone 12 with the same amount of storage space. 

Wing lists its iPhones as good to mint condition which means it’s a refurbished product that is SIM-free, with charging cables and basic wiring. In this regard, Wing is similar to Raylo but does not offer a calculated estimate of exactly how much you’ll be saving by not purchasing the device from a network.

On top of that, Wing is slightly more expensive in terms of a monthly subscription plan. The iPhone 12 for 64GB, costing $43 per month for a 12 month duration compared to Raylo’s iPhone 12 which only costs $39 for the same contracted length. 

In terms of practices and effectiveness, Wing directly connects and hooks you up to a network provider with an affordable plan that could cost as little as $27 a month but unlike Raylo, it doesn’t offer the same degree of certified quality nor is it Trustpilot-approved. 

How Much Is Raylo?

This Raylo review will break down pricing based on the latest phone models (iPhone 12 Pro Max and the Galaxy S21) from Apple and Samsung for a comparison on the latest phones, and how pricing may fluctuate based on the brand you prefer.

Note: there are variations based on subscription-style, GB storage, and device model. 

• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 128GB/12 months, $73
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 128GB/24 months, $54
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 256GB/12 months, $80
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 256GB/24 months, $58
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 512GB/12 months, $93
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Brand New 512GB/24 months, $68

• Galaxy S21 Brand New 128GB/12 months, $53
• Galaxy S21 Brand New 128GB/24 months, $39
• Galaxy S21 Brand New 256GB/12 months, $57
• Galaxy S21 Brand New 256GB/24 months, $42

Raylo Reviews: What Do Customers Think?

This Raylo review wanted to hear from customers who have something to share about their purchases. While researching, we found that with a 4.7 rating on Trustpilot and a total of 2,050 reviews, there’s a lot to be said about the brand.

One customer in particular has given the company a glowing review, and states that their iPhone 12 came in mint condition with excellent packaging that included a case and screen protector, arriving within 2 days of their order. 

Another customer writes that the phone selection process is easy while Raylo’s customer service is friendly, with delivery occurring the very next day despite ordering the phone quite late. 

A verified customer honestly wrote that their credit score was extremely poor but Raylo still offered them a phone and notes that the quality of the refurbished phone is amazing.

Most buyers applaud Raylo for its quick delivery, efficient service, and the little tech perks that come along with each purchase.

Is Raylo Worth It?

If you happen to live in the UK, Raylo is an accessible option to help you live a sustainable lifestyle without having to cut back on using the latest technology and phone models out there. 

And as mentioned in this Raylo review, if you like swapping out phones for the latest and greatest, require a second phone for personal or professional use, or are a business that is looking to purchase short-term phones for employees, Raylo is definitely worth it. 

Unfortunately, for buyers outside of the UK, Raylo does not extend its services or products to international clientele. If you happen to be outside of Raylo’s jurisdiction, then opting for other companies that provide refurbished phones for a reduced plan, like Wing, is an option. 

Raylo Promotions & Discounts 

Raylo does not offer promotions or discounts but provides all customers with additional tech accessories like a phone case and screen protector.

How to Sign Up For Raylo

Ready to sign up for a Raylo subscription? We’ve detailed the steps for you below:

1. Choose your phone (model, GB storage, color, contract length)
2. Include or exclude insurance coverage upon checking out
3. Provide contact details 
4. Verify your email
5. Undergo a credit check 
6. Receive confirmation of purchase and contract 

And that’s all there is to it!

FAQ

Who is Raylo for? 

Raylo isn’t for everyone. With the company’s service and shipping restrictions, it’s designed specifically for people living within the UK. 

Despite this, Raylo phone options are ideal for someone who constantly wants the latest phone model. You have the chance to use it for a short while (1-2 years) without spending more than you wish. And once the newest available model is available, Raylo efficiently swaps out your old phone for a new one, giving you an upgrade with all of the latest specs.

Raylo is also ideal for anyone within a profession or business that requires more than one handheld device for work purposes. You can have both your personal and work phone without worrying about an increase in surcharges or additional costs from your network provider.

This Raylo review found the plans offered are also great for a small or large scale business that needs to provide its employees with phones for company use. And don’t worry, the phones can be returned and short term rentals are also available.

Does Raylo Let You Keep the Phone?

As previously mentioned in this Raylo review, the company does let you keep the device until you’ve paid the owed contracted amount. Since you are obligated to pay a certain amount every month, there’s no way to expedite the process of keeping the phone which happens once the lease agreement is complete, regardless of the brand new or refurbished device.

That being the case, keeping a phone is entirely optional and you can return it to Raylo once your term is up.

Do You Get a SIM with Raylo? 

Raylo operates around SIM-free phones. This Raylo review takes note that the tech company works this way in order to guarantee the most affordable option, drastically moving away from bundle contracts.

Phone networks are more likely to give cheaper service options if you already have a device on hand and being SIM-free also certifies that the phone is unlocked, all history and settings cleared for protection and for a new user.

Does Raylo do credit checks? 

Yes, Raylo does a soft credit check that will not affect your credit score. If you are worried about a really low credit score, bear in mind that Raylo does usually give you the device anyways!

In the case that you do not qualify, no damage is done towards your credit score and is meant as a secure aspect of the contractual process. 

How do I cancel my Raylo subscription?

To cancel your Raylo subscription, simply follow these steps:

1. Contact a Raylo representative through their online chat system, phone, or email that you wish to cancel your subscription within 30 days.
2. Instructions are sent out on how to process the shipping return. 
3. After Raylo has received the phone, they’ll cancel and credit you back any funds associated with the phone purchase. 

Note: if it is a brand new phone being returned, it must be unopened and unused but if you have purchased a refurbished phone, Raylo accepts it even with unsealed and opened packaging. 

What is Raylo’s Shipping Policy?

Raylo does not provide international shipping, services, or products outside of the UK.

Shipping occurs within the UK, and with operations based in London, England, customers can expect an estimated delivery between 1-5 business days with most purchases arriving within a day or two. 

What is Raylo’s Return Policy?

Returns and canceled subscriptions are free as mentioned above in this Raylo review. However, there are additional charges and guidelines for returns made after the 30 days.

 If your phone is used and the 30 days are over, an early termination contract charge is applied and the phone must be returned within 14 days of this request in good condition.

In the event that the phone is not in good condition but you would still like to return it, damage fees will be applied in addition to the termination charge.

Note: termination charges are based on the lease agreement and are also calculated based on how many payments you’ve already made. 

A detailed page listing all returns, charges, and policies can be found through the link here.

How to Contact Raylo

For further inquiries about phone options, services, and customer service support, you can contact Raylo in three ways:

1. Phone: +44 (0) 333 050 9880
2. Email: [email protected]
3. Chat through the Raylo website

Hours of operations are Monday to Saturday between 9:30 am and 5:30 pm GMT.

---

If you’re looking for a case for your new phone, check out these reviews:

Casetify Cases Review

Pela Case Review

Or if you’re looking to buy or sell your old phone, check out our Gazelle Phones Review.