7 Things to Check When Buying a second-hand Phone
Thinking of buying a second-hand phone to cost less money but worried if it’s worth it? Here are some things you should know. Phones have become expensive over time. They even directly compete with Apple’s iPhone in pricing. Consequently, you can consider buying a used Android phone that you can save instead of buying a new one. You just have to check a few things when buying a used phone. You can get used phones in either refurbished phones or buy them directly from the current users. This could also include brand new previous generation models.
1. Physical Damage
Smartphones are often abused, so inspect if any physical abuses might have decreased their life span from every angle. Remove all stickers or skins present at the back or front of the phone to see if foul scratches or dents are hiding on the screen. That also applies to tempered glass, check for any scratches underneath or cracks on the screen
Check for physical damage on the second-hand phone, scratches, dents, or broken screen look and check carefully.
2. Display
Check the phone’s brightness from low to high; check the phone’s display; go to Settings>>About phone>>Tap the build number 7 times. Now you are in the developer option check show touches and pointer location.
3. Check USB ports and SD card slot
Check whether the phone is charging or not or the data cable is working or not and insert an SD card and check if the phone is detecting the card.
4. Audio Jack
Check whether the audio jack is working; try to use a headphone or earphone jack, and check if the pin is loose or faulty.
5. Sim card
Check the sim card, both slot1, and slot2, then insert the sim and turn on mobile data to make calls and messages.
6. Battery
Nowadays, most phone batteries are non-removal, and the back cover is, so check it yourself or assist a technician with you so that he can check whether the battery is good or bad or swollen.A typical Lithium-ion battery in Smartphones usually lasts for two years, depending on how much the phone is used. It’s good to check the battery health of the phone even if it’s refurbished or used.
To check the battery health for the iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health. The ideal battery health for an iPhone is around 80% after 500 charging cycles, this is according to Apple. Since Android doesn’t have a Battery Health option like the iPhone, it’s crucial to check it before buying the phone.
7. Fake Phone
Check for fake or clone phones. Go to Settings and check the software version and last update.
Imagine you order a brand new iPhone 13 from one of the online stores and end up getting a fake unit. Scary, right? Of course, it is. Well, this isn’t impossible. In fact, such incidents have happened a lot in the past several years. What is even scarier is that it is close to impossible to differentiate between an original and a fake iPhone. But, we got you covered.
More info: How to find out if your iPhone is original or fake