Tips for Buying a Used iPhone
by Jenefey Aaron Updated on 2020-01-15 / Update for iPhone Data
Used or refurbished iPhone are often cheaper and therefore easier to get. If you don't have enough money for a brand new iPhone, buying a used iPhone might be a good idea. The used iPhone may not necessarily be an old iPhone as many iPhone fans just abandon them because they want the latest iPhone. For instance, he would sell his iPhone 5 which has just been bought for half a year, so that he could get a new iPhone SE/5S.
Before you purchase a refurbished iPhone, you might need to go through this post which tells you where to buy a used iPhone and what you need to pay attention to.
Where to Buy a Used iPhone
There are a lot of places selling used iPhone and you can buy used iPhones from:
AT&T – Head to the local AT&T store or AT&T's website. The iPhone's exclusive U.S. carrier sometimes offers refurbished models.
eBay/Craigslist – eBay and Craigslist are hotbeds of online bargains, but buyer beware. As individuals could sell used products on these sites, you'd better meet the person in person befor you purchase for the iPhone. By doing this, you can check the conditions of the phone by yourself.
Amazon – Amazon used to sell only books. As it grew over the years and it is now offering almost all kinds of items including used iPhone, electronics, furniture, toys and clothes.
Exchange companies –NextWorth, FlipSwap, and Gazelle are exchange companies that both buy and sell used iPhones. Their prices are appealing.
What You Need to Watch Out: Top 5 Tips
1. iOS 8/7 Activation Lock -- In iOS 7, Apple introduced Activation Lock which totally disables the iPhone if Find My iPhone is turned on. The only way to disable it is to have the iCloud password setup by the original owner of the phone. If you forget to check this and get a locked iPhone, the iPhone might be totally useless.
2. Warranty – Make sure you've checked the warranty and support status. If you're looking for an iPhone that is under warranty, enter the serial number at Apple's site to find the current support and service status of the unit. However this will not work if you can't get the serial number before purchase.
3. Capacity – Keep in mind that used iPhone may not the latest models and that they've got less storage space as a result. Early iPhones offered only 4GB of storage, while the latest models offer as much as 32GB. This could make a big difference especially when you have a big iTunes library. And the iPhone with a small capacity might deprive you of the enjoyment you get from a big mass of music and TV shows.
4. Battery – The iPhones that have been used for only a short time might have decent battery life. When the iPhone has been used for more than a year, you should buy cautiously. Ask the seller for as much detail about the battery life as possible or see if they'll replace the battery with a new one before you buy. Also be sure to check on return policies in case the battery turns out not to be as lively as they claim.
5. Try the iPhone before You Purchase -- Before you buy the refurbished iPhone, the most reliable way to check the phone's performance is to use it by yourself. You can just insert a SIM card, then send a text message, make a phone call or FaceTime call, take a picture or surf the Internet over Wi-Fi.
