Used cellphones can provide you with an excellent value for your money.
Used cellphones can provide you with an excellent value for your money. If the new phones are out of your price range, you can always go for a used or refurbished phone.
Now, if you buy from a reliable supplier, it will almost certainly be defect-free. However, it’s always a good idea to be cautious and thoroughly inspect a phone before purchasing it. Before you acquire a used or second-hand smartphone, make sure you verify the following items.
To begin, you must decide which phone to purchase and at what price. You can make an assessment based on the phone’s specifications as well as the current market pricing after taking into account all available discounts. The age and condition of the gadget should also be considered when determining the price.
You can then bargain with the seller while assuring that they are not con artists or fraudsters. After that, you’ll have to meet with the seller to inspect the phone before purchasing it. On online marketplace platforms like OLX and Quickr, you’ll usually find a slew of local dealers.
To avoid being deceived while testing the phone, keep the following points in mind. Checking the essentials is the first step, followed by physical examination and additional hardware checks. To assist in testing, we recommend keeping the following supplies on hand:
A portable power source.
USB cord that is compatible with the phone you are considering purchasing.
Any accessories that the phone supports (microSD card, headphones).
1. Contents of the Box, Invoice, and Warranty
Examine the box and its contents.
Is it a forgery? Check for genuineness.
Is the phone from a different country? Is it possible to unlock it?
Invoice and Box
The box, the original invoice, and the device’s age should all be checked first. Confirm that all of the contents of the box are present; you can bargain for any missing or non-original accessories.
Request a copy of an e-invoice from the e-commerce portals if the seller has misplaced the invoice for a phone purchased online. The digital copy of the invoice is available for download on most websites, including Amazon and Flipkart.
Check the Warranty and IMEI.
Check to see if the phone is still covered by the manufacturer’s warranty—always it’s a good idea.
On the manufacturer’s website, you may check the phone’s warranty period using the IMEI. Online warranty checks are available from companies such as Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Realme, and others.
The IMEI number on the phone should match the IMEI number on the original box and invoice. To check the IMEI, dial *#06# in the dialer.
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Considering purchasing an imported phone?
If you’re purchasing an imported phone, be sure it’s unlocked. Also, double-check the supported network bands and that it will function with your carrier. Is it also covered by an international warranty? Is it possible to get spare parts in your country?
Purchasing a phone that the manufacturer does not sell in your country may make it difficult to have it fixed if something goes wrong.
2. Visual Examination
What to Look for When Purchasing a Used Second-Hand Smartphone
Examine in the daytime.
Examine for blemishes and dents.
Examine the display, the body, and the cameras.
Move on to the physical inspection of the device once you’ve mastered the fundamentals. I prefer to test the phone in broad daylight so that any damages or flaws are readily apparent.
Examine the body, display, and, most importantly, the camera lens for scratches, dents, or cracks. Small scratches on the camera lens can degrade picture quality dramatically, especially in low-light situations. Examine the power and volume controls.
With second-hand phones, little evidence of use are to be expected. Any irregularities, such as a bent fresnel, should be noted.
3. Examine the Display What to Look for When Purchasing a Used Second-Hand Smartphone
Check to see if the display is genuine.
There should be no cracks.
Look for dead pixels or dead patches.
The display is the next thing to look for when purchasing a used second-hand smartphone. The display is, without a doubt, one of the device’s most expensive components. Examine it for scratches and minor cracks.
Examine the overall quality of the panel to ensure that it is authentic. Check the brightness settings, screen quality, and whether there are any adhesive or pry marks on the sides to see if the panel was changed with a non-OEM one.
Make that the entire screen responds to touch and that there are no dead pixels. You can confirm this with the Display Tester app.
Consider removing the phone’s screen protector while inspecting the display.
4. Make sure the ports, SIM card, and accessories are all working properly.
It’s now time to put the phone’s charging wire to the test. Take out your power bank and connect it to your phone via cable to test if it’s charging properly.
Insert a SIM card and test the phone’s ability to make a call. Similarly, test the phone’s microSD card connector (if one is available) and any other accessories it supports, such as earphones.
5. Examine features such as the camera, microphone, and speakers.
Examine the device’s most important features. This includes the following:
Vibration Microphone for Speaker and Earpiece
Both front and back cameras are available.
Bluetooth, Wifi, and so on.
Using apps like Phone Doctor Plus, Phone Check and Test, TestM Hardware, or Test Your Android, you may check for hardware concerns all at once. These applications have a comprehensive checklist of things to look for when purchasing a used smartphone.
6. Keep an eye on the battery
Lithium-ion batteries on smartphones typically lose capacity over time, which might be a problem if you buy a phone that is too old. So, when you’re looking at the phone, keep an eye on the battery level and the percentage of the battery that has depleted.
Something is incorrect if you see a sudden drop. If you’re buying a used iPhone, check the Maximum Capacity % in Settings > Battery > Battery Health. Anything above 80%, is a good to go.
Other Considerations When Purchasing a Used Phone
Keep the following points in mind if you’re buying a used phone from someone on an internet platform like Olx or Quickr:
Take a look at the seller’s image and price. The majority of scammers exploit photographs from the internet to entice customers with unrealistically low prices.
Never pay before checking your phone, no matter how tempting the bargain appears.
Is the seller claiming to send the phone yet demanding payment in advance? This is a very common con.
Meet the seller in a public place if at all possible.
Find something that differs from the seller’s promise or what’s indicated in the listing? Take a step back.
Request that the vendor remove the screen lock and their iCloud or Google account.
To make sure it’s not locked with the seller’s account, perform a factory data reset and sign in with your own account.
Making a digital payment is preferable for ease and as confirmation that you purchased the phone from that person.
Finally, should you purchase used smartphones?
Phones that have been used before frequently sell for a low price. You might get great deals in the market if you look carefully. However, there is always the risk of being duped when purchasing used electronics. As a result, make sure you buy from a reputable retailer and bargain hard based on the phone in issue.
Even if a phone with flaws is selling at a low price, it’s usually advisable to acquire one in decent shape. Furthermore, knowing that the warranty period is still active adds to the sense of security. Apart from the advice mentioned above, examine online reviews before purchasing any used smartphone, which also applies to new purchases.