iPhone – 5 things to know before you buy a used iPhone
If you’re looking to buy a used or refurbished iPhone, you should take a few things into consideration first.
Most modern iPhones work with any carrier, but if you’re buying an older used iPhone, check to make sure it’s compatible with your cellular company.
You should ensure a used iPhone isn’t stolen or Activation Locked by checking the IMEI or inserting a SIM card.
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The latest smartphones can be breathtakingly expensive, and much of the blame can be laid at Apple’s feet — when it began selling the iPhone X for $999 in 2017, the company normalized pricing that has spread across the smartphone industry.
You can avoid taking such a big chunk out of your pocket by buying a pre-owned or refurbished model, if you’re careful about what you buy.
There’s a large market for previously used iPhones. You can buy used iPhones from private sellers, but refurbished phones are also sold seemingly everywhere, at retailers like Swappa, Amazon (Amazon’s refurbished phones are called Renewed), and even Apple’s own site.
A used phone is exactly that — used — and it usually comes as-is without a warranty. A refurbished phone, on the other hand, has been tested to make sure it’s working properly, defective parts have been replaced, and it comes with a warranty. In other words, refurbs are like new, though they might have some cosmetic blemishes like scratches on the case. You can generally count on the battery being either in excellent condition or newly replaced.
A refurbished phone is a better option because any faulty parts have been fixed or replaced.
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Check to make sure the iPhone will work with your carrier
In recent years, Apple has made it easy to use the iPhone with any wireless carrier — every model of each new version in the US works with all major carriers. But if you’re buying an iPhone X or older, the model number can matter.
For the iPhone X, for example, there are two models: The iPhone X A1865 is a combination GSM and CDMA model that works on any carrier, while the iPhone X A1901 is GSM-only, intended for carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile, but not Verizon or Sprint. The bottom line is to check the details and make sure the used phone is compatible with the carrier you want to use.
There’s always a risk that a used iPhone has been stolen, which means it might be Activation Locked and won’t respond to your SIM card. The risk is greatest when you buy a phone from a private seller because most reputable retail and reseller sites will check this for you.
To make sure that your potential iPhone hasn’t been reported stolen, you can check the phone’s IMEI number. If you’re meeting with a seller and have physical access to the phone, find the IMEI number in the Settings app. In Settings, tap “General” and then “About.” Scroll down until you see the IMEI number listed — plug the number into either CTIA’s Stolen Phone Checker or the IMEI Check managed by reseller Swappa.
Make sure the battery is reliable
One of the most common reasons why a private seller is trying to get rid of an old iPhone is that the battery no longer works effectively, so you should check the battery health before buying it. With other portable devices the only way to know for sure if the battery still works is to try charging and using it, but with Apple products, there’s a way to assess the battery health in the Settings app.
As long as the used phone is running iOS 11.3 or later, open Settings and then choose “Battery.” Tap “Battery Health” and check the battery’s maximum capacity.
Make sure the phone isn’t water damaged
The most recent iPhone generations are water-resistant, but water damage is a real concern for older generations. You might want to ensure your used iPhone hasn’t been water damaged.
If you’re buying an iPhone 6 or later, remove the SIM tray and look for signs of red inside the tray slot – that indicates the phone’s Liquid Contact Indicator has been activated. (The iPhone 5’s water damage indicator is in the charging port, but that phone is far too old to consider buying used.)
If the iPhone uses a SIM card, check to make sure it’s not water-damaged.
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iPhone – 5 things to know before you buy a used iPhone
Henry covering technology and reviewing consumer products. Previously he was the Tech editor at ICO Stamp steering coverage and reviews of Tech Products. He graduated from London School with a bachelor's degree in English and journalism.
