Learn how to check a used phone before buying to ensure you are getting a quality device. Follow these steps to avoid any unpleasant surprise.

How to Check a Used Phone Before Buying

Buying a used smartphone is always a big risk, due to the acquisition of a low-quality device, especially if you make a deal with a stranger, so we do not recommend purchasing a used phone. There are very few truly good working used smartphones.

A smartphone is a device with complex electronic components and a wide range of functionality. Even if you are an expert in the latest gadgets, there is still a high risk of purchasing a low-quality used smartphone. First of all, the difficulty of identifying problems in used devices comes down to hidden defects and refurbished devices. 

Hidden defects  of a used smartphone may not be obvious during testing, for example: periodic self-rebooting of the gadget, a battery that only lasts 4 hours in standby mode, or a failed navigation module, which may show the correct route initially, but completely refuse to correctly plot the route already during the ride. In addition, it is impossible to know whether moisture has entered or whether the gadget has been seriously dropped, which can lead to internal damage and subsequent malfunction. 

Refurbished phones are serious business for unscrupulous sellers and scammers. When selling, these persons tell a legend that the phone being sold has been used for several months or is completely new, has not been repaired, is in perfect condition, ready for any checks, and the buyer, trusting false words, buys a “problem” instead phone. Refurbished devices appear after repair. Let’s say that if the screen of the device was replaced, then there are no guarantees as to the quality of the repairs performed and the screen itself. It is worth considering that original manufacturer displays are expensive, so they are very often replaced with non-original ones that do not support correct operation. As practice shows, most refurbished smartphones do not work satisfactorily on an ongoing basis. 

. Give preference to a device that has the box in which it was sold. Dial the command *#06# and the call handset on your smartphone, and the IMEI number will be displayed on the screen. Your task is to check the IMEI number on the screen with the number on the box. They must match 100% of the time. The fact is that when flashing/repairing a stolen or restored smartphone, the IMEI number “stitched” inside the device can sometimes change. But, unfortunately, the coincidence of numbers is not at all an indicator that “everything is in order”, and only one way of checking;

Undoubtedly, a used phone purchased must be fully tested by the buyer; there should be no exceptions for lack of time on the part of the seller. A five-minute test is not complete and is equivalent to buying a “pig in a poke.” Don’t believe the seller’s words – only believe your eyes and the results of your testing. These points must be done: 

2 . Make an outgoing and incoming call lasting more than 30 seconds, this way you check the quality of the speaker and connection; 

3 . Go through each menu item on your smartphone. When you do this, you, among other things, check the responsiveness of the sensor, color rendering, flickering of the screen and the presence of spots and streaks on it. At the slightest comment on the poor performance of the screen, a refusal to purchase should follow;  

4 . Check the operation of the device on a 4G network and separately on Wi-Fi; however, it is advisable to check Wi-Fi on public networks by logging in with your login. Recently, there have been comments about failures in Wi-Fi connections in some smartphones specifically with public networks, and the problem cannot be solved either by flashing or resetting the settings. Sometimes the first registration in a wi-fi network and use goes fine, but if you disconnect and try to log in again after a few minutes, the network does not connect;  

5 . Test the operation of the headphones and their input – play a short section of the track for listening, make a call and check the microphone;  

6 . Check the connectors of the device , nothing should be damaged or loose;

7 . You need to check the operation of the power supply , and, in the absence of an outlet, at least check it through a car charger in your car or through a portable battery;

8 . Checking photo and video cameras . At this point, you need to check the focus and sound recording for video. Pay attention to the integrity of the camera lens and the absence of haze in the picture.

The used device you purchase must be reset to factory settings and not contain any files or downloaded user programs. It is in this case that testing will be more correct, all third-party programs will be removed and there will be no blocking, which is also necessary for your further use of the gadget. The device must be completely reset and unlinked from the user’s Google or Apple ID accounts. Restore factory settings, thereby resetting the system if this has not been done before.

9 .  You need to compare the specific copy you are purchasing with the original sold in the store. To do this, take time before you intend to purchase a used gadget, and examine the original device at some official point of sale – hold it in your hand, examine the body and curves of the screen, turn it on and look. on control and speed of operation, on the menu structure, functions that interest you. After that, take or download photos of the original device, including the ends, back panel and connectors. For what? Your goal is to compare the device offered to you with the original, not only in order to exclude a fake, but also to try to exclude defects or previous influence.

The purchased used device must have a 100% identical appearance, there should not be any increased gaps or elements that differ from the original. Let’s say that if the phone has case mounts, screws visible to the eye, then there should be no traces of unscrewing these screws, again, the mounts and bolts can be exclusively identical, otherwise, this shows that the device was previously opened for inspection and repair, which automatically indicates to refuse the deal.

Checking a used smartphone

As a note, it is worth adding that inspection of the gadget should take place in places where there is a stable mobile, Internet and Wi-Fi connection. So, meeting in the underground metro or places with poor network is not a good idea. The seller should give you as much time as required for your testing, without any “I’m in a hurry” or “I wouldn’t like you to put your SIM card in for testing.” Any hidden psychological influence that prevents you from testing the device coming from the seller should be regarded as dubious, which is absolutely unacceptable in the conditions of a risky transaction. We do not recommend purchasing used smartphones; unfortunately, even with maximum testing, it is impossible to fully assess the performance of modern high-tech used phones.