What all things are required to check while buying a second-hand phone?

If you are looking to save money while buying a phone, then buying a used smartphone might be a good option for you. But it involves a few risks, like making sure the phone is in good condition, or it’s not stolen.

Mobile phone manufacturers, like Samsung and Apple, release new models every year. Apple just released its ‘X series’ iPhones and Samsung launched Galaxy Note 9 model. Many people have the itch to upgrade to a new smartphone as soon as the newer model launched, as a result, they sell their old mobile phones to the mobile phone buyers. And you can get a fantastic deal on a used smartphone. Remember, the ‘latest and greatest’ is not the formula that works every time.

But still, buying a used phone means you have to do your due diligence. You have to check for the warranty, secondly, you need to check the condition of the phone, plus paying the right price is also another factor to look for.

Here are some other factors to consider when you are going to buy a second-handphone.

Used vs. pre-owned vs. refurbished

First, you need to understand what you are buying. You should know the difference between Used, Pre-owned, and refurbished phone. And to know the difference, there are some general guidelines.

A used phone is a phone that comes directly from a private seller. It may or may not have any warranty or guarantee. Certified pre-owned phones have a little more guarantee for the buyers. These phones have had gone through some testing about their functionality. Pre-owned phones might have some kind of limited warranty. Amazon, eBay, AlphaSmartPhones are among the retailers that sell certified pre-owned mobile phones. The refurbished phones are at the highest standard compared to the other two. These phones undergo a complete repairing and full testing to return them to like-new functionality. Refurbished phones do have the warranty but the warranty time period depends on the mobile phone retailer company. You can get a high quality refurbished phone from Amazon, Best Buy, and AlphaSmartPhones.

Now that you have learned the differences, let us find out some tips to buy a good quality second-hand phone.

Know when to Buy

First of all, you should know the right time to buy a second-hand phone. Normally, the best time to buy a used smartphone is just after its newer model comes out in the market. You can do a little research and keep a record that when your favourite brand releases its new mobile phone models. Generally, the launch time remains the same each year. Top Android phone makers such as Samsung, LG, HTC launch their new flagship phones in early spring, followed by Apple, which rolls out its new iPhones in the fall season.

Buy Unlocked Phone

One of the most important things to remember when buying used or second-hand phone is to make sure the phone is unlocked with your carrier. Try to avoid buying carrier-locked phones. One of the easiest ways to buy an unlocked phone is to buy directly from your choice of carrier.

If you don’t like the carrier route, then make sure that the device you are going to buy is compatible and ready-to-active on every carrier. Choosing a multi-band phone is also a good option for you. But first, check out its availability before buying. Consult the specs of the particular phone to confirm it supports your carrier and its coverage.

Research for the Right Price

The point of buying a second-hand phone is to get a high-quality phone while maximizing your savings. And to save some of your hard-earned cash, you have to look for the right price factor. So, do a little research before buying a used phone. You can search for the phone on eBay, Craigslist or by visiting your nearest mobile phone market. Doing so will let you know that how many people are selling that smartphone right now and at what price.

If you are not willing to buy the phone from a carrier or a phone maker then buy it from that reseller which has a rock-solid return policy. Also look for the warranty (if available).

The return policy window will give you an extra peace of mind that after buying the second-hand phone if something goes wrong with your mobile phone within the policy date, you can easily return the defective device back to the reseller. 

Is it Stolen?

Every phone has a unique 15 or 16 digits, IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) number. It is usually written on the box or under the battery. It is also mentioned in the Settings app of the smartphone. Once you have that IMEI number, you can find out the phone’s history. Remember, having a stolen phone is a crime. So avoid buying a stolen phone at any cost. There are many tips and tricks available on Google, through which you can check the status of the phone. Some sources are paid and some are free.

Check the phone’s overall condition

Before buying, do a thorough check about the overall condition of the phone. If its touch phone, then the screen should be your primary concern. Any screen malfunctioning is a deal breaker. As it costs more than $100 to replace a screen, so you better understand the rest.

Also look for any dents or significant scratches on the phone. If there are visible dents, it shows that the phone has been dropped repeatedly and might have damage to the internal components.

So before you take out your wallet, do check the overall condition of the phone.

Check the accessories

If you are getting accessories with the phone, then this will be a bonus for you. It will also give you handy information about the seller. For instance, if the seller has the original box, then it is an indicator that you are not looking at a stolen device. Getting the original charger for your device is also a plus point for you.