Reconditioned phones are old units that have been cleaned, repaired, and brought back to brand-new condition. iPhones are obviously one of the most commonly reconditioned phones, but other models are also frequently refurbished. Typically, a reconditioned iPhone has been previously owned and sold to a dealer, who then does the necessary work and sells it at a profit. This usually includes restoring the phone to factory settings, so you won’t have to delete the previous owner’s photos or browser favorites.

The main drawback with reconditioned phones is that they have more limited warranties. Since you’re knowingly buying a used phone, the seller won’t agree to do all the repairs for free for as long as you own the phone. Most sellers will have you sign a waiver saying you accept the phone as is, although some will offer a limited guarantee. Make sure to compare different terms and see which one gives you the most flexibility.

Of course, the biggest advantage is pricing—some reconditioned iPhones can sell for as much as half the retail price. Many sellers will price their units according to condition; those with only minor flaws will be priced closer to brand-new, and those with more obvious flaws will be cheaper. But if you choose well and know how to negotiate, you won’t even be losing much quality, if at all. If you’re not tech-savvy, try bringing along someone who is, so they can inspect the phone thoroughly and make sure you’re getting your money’s worth.

At the end of the day, the tradeoff is more about risk and risk control. You save money by buying a reconditioned iPhone, but you take on the risk of getting a seriously flawed unit, and thus the responsibility of keeping yourself informed and protected. If you do decide to buy used, doing your research and taking time to explore your options is the best way to make sure you’re getting a good deal.

If it’s the outer glass that breaks—that is, you can feel the crack with your fingers—the touch-screen function usually remains, and you can still interact with your phone. This is pretty common in the iPhone 4, because unlike previous versions it has glass installed on both sides. The cracks get in the way of images, but otherwise it can still be fully functional. All you have to do is find an iPhone 4 replacement glass—you can get it from the Apple Store and get full warranty, or go to a third-party provider, where it’s cheaper but might void your store coverage.

However, if it’s the touch screen itself that’s broken, the problem runs literally a little deeper. The screen feels completely smooth when you run your finger over it, because the cracks are on the digitizer—the part that recognizes and reacts to your touch. If this is the case, you can’t call on any of the functions. You can still get calls and messages, but you can’t answer them because the screen doesn’t recognize your touch. That’s the obvious price you pay for a swanky touch screen—it breaks easily, and you lose most, if not all, of the functionality when it does.

Replacing the touch screen itself is tricky; it can cost you hundreds of dollars, which is why most people just decide to get a new iPhone for a few bucks more. If you’re lucky, the price will still be covered by your iPhone warranty. Otherwise, you’ll have to look around—there are third-party dealers in most cities, but not all of them are reliable.

Your best bet is to prevent cracks before they happen. It’s a given that you should be careful with your phone, but accidents happen even to the best of us. Investing in a protective case can go a long way. Sure, it’s $30 more when you’ve already coughed up $500, but an iPhone 4 replacement glass—not to mention your peace of mind—can be worth much more.

The simplest way about it is to stuff the device into your pocket. If it’s tight enough or has a zip closure, it should be fine, unless it gets knocked around too much. Most experts recommend keeping it closer to your body, where it’s stationary and easier to access. That’s why armbands are by far the most popular iPhone accessory for runners and other outdoor enthusiasts.

Elastic armbands usually work best for sports, as they don’t need adjustment and offer a snug fit. Choose a soft, light fabric, preferably one you can wash and wear. Leather and faux leather may look smoother, but they don’t retain moisture well and can start fading or falling apart after a few weeks. A thick, stretchy material with an adjustment buckle offers the perfect mix of comfort and durability.

Access is also an important consideration. Most armbands will give you access to the click wheel on an iPod or the playback buttons on an iPhone, but that’s not always comfortable. If you want to be able to switch between songs or turn apps on and off, consider investing in earphones with playback buttons. That way you don’t have to reach all the way across, or stop to pull out your phone when you need to.

Clips and brackets are a good alternative if you don’t like the feel of armbands, or find it too much trouble to pull on and off. Some companies make brackets that go around your iPod, allowing you to hook it to a pocket or the edge of your shirt. It’s not very stable, though, so it may not be the best idea for the iPhone and similar-sized devices.

In any case, protection should always be on top of your list, especially if you’re an active runner. You want a case that protects your gadget from sweat, impact, heat, dirt, and other elements you’re exposed to. It might mean shelling out an extra $20, but if it adds years of life to your $300 iPhone or iPod, then it’s a reasonable investment.

Getting organized: Packing and Room

The 21st-century version of the to-do list, Packing lets you list down the things you need to bring and check them off as they go in your bag. It can also be useful if you’re asked for an inventory at customs. Room, a free app, is a handy tool for remembering your room number, as modern keycards don’t tell you that these days.

Flight management: Next Flight

Whether you missed your flight, got bumped, or are leaving earlier than expected, Next Flight can give you a list of alternatives in real time. Over 1,100 airlines and 4,200 airports are tracked, but users can narrow down their choices by carrier. This can be useful for multi-destination trips, or for notoriously busy airports where mix-ups aren’t uncommon.

Dining and entertainment: UrbanSpoon and HearPlanet

UrbanSpoon is a foodie’s dream: a guide to the best restaurants in major cities. Content leans heavily towards popular spots in the U.S., Canada. U.K., and Australia, but it does a lot for a free app. If you’re not sure where to go, whip up HearPlanet and get a list of nearby attractions. Tap on a place that catches your eye and it pulls up the corresponding Wikipedia article.

Working on the go: Air Sharing and WriteRoom

If you’re on business travel or simply can’t detach yourself from work, Air Sharing can be your next best friend. Save PDF files, text files, web pages in HTML, and a range of other file formats so you can access them offline no matter where you are. No room for your laptop? Check out WriteRoom—a swankier, more functional version of Apple’s Notes app that lets you transfer text from your computer to your phone.

Fitting in: World Customs and Lonely Planet Phrasebook

At less than a dollar, World Customs offers a wealth of information on international customs and traditions. What to wear to a Portuguese meeting, which dish goes where on a Korean table, how to park in Norway—you could pass for a local in no time! If you’re up for it, splurge on the Lonely Planet Phrasebook—a bit steep for $10 when you already know how to order a beer in Spanish, but it might come in handy in Shanghai.

Case in point: a new desk dock by South Korean manufacturer Kee Utility, which endows the iPhone with all the trappings of a wired desk phone. The Desk Phone Dock features a microphone, built-in speakers, volume controls, and a mute button. It also charges the phone through a USB or AC connection.

Users who talk as much at home and on the go will find the dock particularly useful. On the road, it lets you speak hands-free; at home, it keeps the phone powered and ready for your next trip. The dock works for the iPhone 4, 3G, and 3GS.

The $10-billion iPhone accessory market has recently seen a rise in similar products, designed to make the iPhone look, feel, and work like their 80s counterparts. It’s been done on docks, cases, skins, headsets, you name it.

The trend has started to seep into the iPad market as well, which isn’t surprising. One accessory allows owners to set up their iPads in a vintage-looking arcade cabinet, where they can then play classics like Pong and Pac-Man. It even comes with real arcade buttons and a mechanical joystick, just like the old times.

This back-to-basics paradigm is most likely driven by strong ties between fashion and technology design, which many users think makes accessories too generic. Manufacturers have long teamed up with fashion designers, keeping their designs in sync throughout the seasons. People looking for a more original (and usually cheaper) way to dress up their gadgets turn to old-school styles instead. It helps that many manufacturers are startups; some are individuals and home businesses that sell exclusively in indie online stores such as Etsy.com.

Not all of them are cheap, though. The iRetrophone Dock, made by Freeland Studios in Florida, proved such a hit that it now sells for $250 and has a waiting list. Each dock is handmade with resin and designed to look like an old rotary phone, complete with a handset that plugs into the iPhone. The Kee dock sells for just $150.