What Should You Look for When Choosing A Used iPhone?

Every year, Apple introduces a new iPhone to the market, which offers a product with cutting-edge features. At some point, all of us have entertained the idea of making it our primary mobile device.

However, due to tight budgets, many consumers opt to buy models from past years. Sometimes, they even purchase used iPhones. But one thing that you should know is that you can’t opt for a used iPhone blindly. There are a few things that you need to look for vigilantly.

In this post, we’ll go over the items to look for when buying used iPhone.

Things to Look For While Buying a Used iPhone

                                                                   Image Source: Pexels.com

Here are a few things you should keep in mind while choosing a pre-owned iPhone.

Proof of Purchase

First and foremost, request a soft or hard copy of the original receipt from the vendor of the previously used iPhone you’re interested in purchasing. The previous owner’s identity and the warranty status can both be found on this receipt.

Once you get the receipt, examine the purchase date and see if the name on the receipt matches the seller’s ID. Using this approach, you may determine whether the vendor is the original owner and if the warranty still covers the phone.

You may think twice about buying used iPhone if the seller refuses to provide a receipt. Even if the seller blames multiple owners for the unavailability of the receipt, do not go for it. This type of used iPhone is more vulnerable to security flaws and other forms of abuse.

Check the IMEI Number                                                                                                             

The acronym IMEI is short for International Mobile Equipment Identity. It’s like a phone’s fingerprint. It is shared between phone makers and service providers to track lost or stolen devices.

Hence, when you plan to buy a used iPhone, you should always check for the IMEI on the body or sim tray. If the phone has been tampered with, the IMEI number written on the iPhone’s physical body will differ from the one displayed in the iOS settings.

How to verify the two IMEIs is detailed below:

• If you have an older iPhone, you can check the IMEI number on the bottom of the phone’s backside. On more recent models, it’s usually printed along the tray’s edge on the SIM card slot.
• Go to Settings, select “General,” and hit “About” to discover the IMEI number. Scroll down to the bottom of the page to locate your IMEI number.

Make a note of the IMEI numbers on the iPhone’s casing and in the Settings app, then compare them. The different results will indicate that the device’s hardware may have been replaced. Another possibility is that it was stolen and tampered with.

Make sure you’re getting the best deals by making sure the used iPhone you’re buying is legitimate. The previously used iPhone should have little to no performance issues if the IMEI number is the same. Your conscience will be at ease, too, because you know that you’re purchasing a clean iPhone unit.

Verify If the Activation Lock Is Enabled

You need to know this iPhone hack for buying a used phone.

As soon as the iPhone powers up, you should be presented with a lock screen that requests a passcode from the user. If you get a message on your iPhone asking you to activate it with a password, then it’s likely that someone else has used it without the actual owner’s permission.

Even if it hasn’t been stolen, you won’t be able to use it in this condition. Therefore, it is in your best interest to leave it with the seller. To activate the iPhone, you must insist that the vendor type in their password.

The Condition of the Battery

The battery’s health and capability in terms of its performance are the essential things to consider.

Since lithium-ion batteries deteriorate over time, any used iPhone battery will almost certainly have a capacity lower than one hundred percent of its initial capacity. You may get a rough estimate of how much charge the battery presently has by looking at its full capacity.

By navigating to Settings > Battery > Battery Health, you can check two critical parameters: maximum power and performance.

In most cases, consumers favor purchasing pre-owned iPhones with a battery health score between 87% and 96%. The ideal percentage is anything above 90%, but the lower it is, the lesser time you have between recharges. That’s not too bad for an iPhone that’s been used.

The battery’s performance is great within such ranges, but below 80 percent, the performance of your battery might affect the way you use your phone.

Compatibility With Carriers

Apple has made it more straightforward in recent years to use iPhones with a variety of wireless carriers around the world. Every new iPhone model and version sold in the United States is compatible with the country’s major wireless carriers.

Having said that, if you intend to purchase a used iPhone X or one of the earlier generations, you will need to ensure that it is compatible. For instance, there are two distinct versions of the iPhone X. The first model, the X A1865, is a hybrid CDMA and GSM model compatible with any carrier. The second model, the A1901, is a GSM-only device designed to function with carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile.

Ultimately, it’s important to double-check all the facts and make sure that the used iPhone works with the carrier of your choice.

Any Visible Damage

Even if they were kept in a case the entire time, used iPhones typically have a variety of scratches and scuffs on their surfaces. If the iPhone is in a case, immediately remove the case to get a better look at the device before you buy a used iPhone.

Thoroughly examine the device to look for any signs of damage that might be visible, such as scuffs or small cracks around the display’s perimeter.

A Camera Test

Along with ensuring that the iPhone camera works, it’s crucial to ensure that it functions properly to click a picture. It has been reported that third-party repair centers have, on occasion, substituted unlicensed iPhone camera parts for genuine ones when repairing customers’ devices.

Do not buy an iPhone until you’ve had a chance to examine the camera quality of a used model. Next, have them snap a photo on the iPhone with the front and back cameras. Check to see if the image is clear to ensure that the iPhone camera is still functioning.

Conclusion

To ensure you’re not overpaying while buying used iPhone, do proper research and be on the lookout for any potential problems. You should look for the stated issues when shopping for a used Apple iPhone. You can avoid any unforeseen costs by checking these parameters. So, if you buy a secondhand iPhone, bear these things in mind.