Is the old statement true that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure? If so, someone else’s smartphone might feel like a brand-new treasure in the hands of a stranger. When transitioning from old-school phones with flip tops or divided keyboards, any smartphone purchase will automatically feel like an upgrade. This sentiment might even remain true when you’re opting for a smartphone that’s been previously owned by someone else.
Before jumping on the bandwagon to buy a used smartphone, you must ask a handful of important questions to keep you from wasting your money on a bad purchase. When you genuinely know the right questions to ask, it’s difficult for a scam artist to get away with a fraudulent sale. Asking the right questions keeps you protected from investing your money into something that won’t benefit you for an extended period.
There’s no point in dropping $200 to $300 on a smartphone that’s going to break down on you within a couple of weeks. Anything you invest in should be worthy and something you don’t end up regretting. On the topic of technology, click here to uncover the cell phones and smartphones that no longer exist.
To gather this list of 15 questions t ask before buying a used smartphone, 24/7 Tempo consulted several technological sources. These include Android Authority, Phone Check, Wired, Apple Support, and How to Geek.
How much are you selling this phone for?
The first question to ask before buying a used smartphone should be about its cost. How much does the seller intend to sell their used smartphone for? Keep in mind that since the phone isn’t brand-new, its price point shouldn’t rival what corporations are selling unboxed phones for.
Since you’re in the market for a smartphone that’s already been used, you have a bit of leeway to negotiate for a price that’s more reasonable based on your budget. Don’t get discouraged if the first seller asks for an exorbitant amount. There are tons of people selling used smartphones on sites like Craigslist, eBay, and OfferUp where you’ll be able to track down smartphones you can personally afford.
Does this phone have passwords that need to be removed?
Before buying a smartphone, you must make sure all passwords have been completely removed from it. Buying a smartphone that still has passwords toggled to it means you won’t be able to access the inner workings of phone or use it in any real way. The person selling the smartphone to you should be aware of any passwords that are already toggled so they can remove them.
If the seller doesn’t have inside knowledge about the existing passwords, there’s a chance they’re trying to sell you a smartphone that’s been stolen. It’s a huge red flag if you come across a seller who’s unable to remove mysterious passwords from a smartphone. The stolen smartphone market is more common than you might realize.
How many previous owners have owned this phone?
You might not get an honest answer when asking about how many previous owners used the smartphone before, but it’s still in your best interest to ask. It’s more likely that the smartphone will be in better condition if it only had one or two previous owners. If the phone passed through the hands of three or more owners in the past, the wear and tear might not be worth your time.
A phone with a bunch of previous owners could still in mint condition if the previous owners were super gentle with the phone while it was in their care. Use your own discretion to decide if a smartphone is still worth purchasing with a long list of previous owners under its belt.
Has this phone been jailbroken?
CUPERTINO, CA - SEPTEMBER 12: Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks during an Apple special event at the Steve Jobs Theatre on the Apple Park campus on September 12, 2017 in Cupertino, California. Apple is holding their first special event at the new Apple Park campus where they are expected to unveil a new iPhone. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
When a phone has been jailbroken, it means any software restrictions a device manufacture placed on it have been completely removed. After a phone is jailbroken, it’s exposed to security threats and other malware issues. Finding out if a phone has been jailbroken could save you a lot of trouble in the long run based on the risk of it all.
Since buying a jailbroken phone can be super risky, you have some evaluating to do. Remember that if it’s been jailbroken, you’ll want to think twice before signing into apps that relate to your banking info or personal email passwords. You should have the freedom to use your phone comfortably without worrying about security threats or malware. Jailbroken phones might not be the smartest purchase to make for that reason.
Has this phone been water-damaged?
You’ll definitely want to find out if the phone you’re buying has been water-damaged in the past. One of the biggest issues that comes along with water-damaged smartphones is broken speakers. After one too many splashes, the speakers don’t always work the way they’re supposed to.
When you try to listen to music on a phone that’s been water-damaged, tunes don’t always play out in a clear manner. Taking phone calls on water-damaged phones can also be a problem if you can’t hear what the other person is saying through the phone speakers. Other negative effects include distorted imagery on your screen and an inability for the phone to charge on a regular port.
Is the phone still capable of making software updates?
Depending on how old the smartphone you’re purchasing is, it might not be capable of making software updates. You’ll have to evaluate if software updates are important to you or not. Keep in mind that smartphones that are unable to make proper software updates can be a bit problematic since you won’t be able to keep many of your favorite apps updated as time progresses.
Any smartphone that’s unable to make software updates will eventually have you feeling like you’re stuck in this stone ages. It might not feel like a big deal at first, but eventually, it will become an undeniable nuisance. Without software updates on the smartphone itself, be prepared to lose out on updates connected to your social media apps, phone game apps, and more.
Are you selling the phone with its compatible charger?
When you purchase a brand-new smartphone from a store, it often comes with a compatible charger in the box. When you’re purchasing a used smartphone, though, a compatible charger isn’t always part of the sale. Find out if the seller is willing to include the compatible charger before completing the transaction.
While it isn’t difficult to find compatible chargers for most smartphones on Amazon or in-person at stores like Target and Walmart, it’s best to have the compatible charger you need right away. Going even a day or two without the compatible charger will become a problem as soon as the phone loses battery power and dies.
Are you selling the phone with compatible headphones?
The same way you’ll find a compatible charger in the box when purchasing a brand-new smartphone, companies often add compatible headphones to the mix as well. This isn’t always the case when you’re buying used smartphones, though. You’ll have to ask the seller you’re working with if there is a pair of compatible headphones they’re also willing to hand off as part of the sale.
When it comes to Apple iPhones in particular, there are two different possible headphone styles that can potentially be sold along with modern iPhones. The incorporation of compatible headphones into a used smartphone sale shouldn’t be a “make or break” detail, but it’s still a question worth asking.
Does the phone come with a warranty?
Young Asian woman using a smartphone as she waits for a tram in Melbourne CBD.
Since used smartphones don’t automatically come with warranties, it’s in your best interest to ask the seller you’re working with if there’s a warranty you can get your hands on. It’s fully possible to purchase a used smartphone with the original manufacturer’s warranty still in place, but that isn’t always an option.
If the original manufacturer’s warranty isn’t around, keep in mind that you can buy an aftermarket warranty instead. For example, Samsung and Apple are two brands that guarantee a warranty along with their refurbished phones for 12 months following each sale.
Can I return this phone if it starts developing problems?
Find out if it’s possible for you to return a used smartphone after it starts developing problems. Some shady sellers are willing to sell smartphones that seem to be in mint condition, knowing full well the smartphone will inevitably start fumbling within a matter of days. If you’re comfortable with the notion of all sales being final, this isn’t a question to worry about asking. If you like the idea of leaving the door open for a possible return, then this question should be prioritized.
Plenty of people who sell used products don’t want to be bothered with returns at any point, but that doesn’t mean all sellers are closed off to the idea. If a seller does agree on a return policy with you, make sure you get the agreement in writing. Keep record and proof of their agreement to give you a full refund in the case of any malfunctions.
How long does the phone’s battery life stay up?
One of the pitfalls of buying a used smartphone is that the battery life might not be as reliable as it should be. In general, smartphones have a reputation for losing battery life quicker as they get older. As unfortunate as it is, a smartphone that was purchased in 2021 likely doesn’t have the strength to stay alive as long as a brand-new smartphone purchased in 2024 will. Keep this in mind if you’re buying a used smartphone that was first sold anytime before 2023.
A phone that’s always losing battery power will become a huge inconvenience. Imagine enjoying yourself at a festival or concert with plans to record tons of footage for social media. If your smartphone starts dying after the first couple of hours, it’ll undoubtedly be completely dead before the end of the event. You’ll have to start negotiating with yourself about which moments are worth recording and which moments will end up neglected, and possibly forgotten.
How much memory or storage does the phone have?
Young man using smartphone on city street on a snowy day
It’s essential to find out how much storage space a used smartphone has. This is especially important for people who love taking pictures and videos to capture memories with their friends, family, and loved ones. It’ll be a huge bummer if you’re excited to take record footage at an event, but realize you can’t because your phone has run out of storage space. Before purchasing a used smartphone, knowing details about the amount of storage space available is a must.
Smartphones usually start at 64 GB of storage and go up to about 512 GB. Some Apple products even offer one full terabyte of storage, which is as unlimited as it gets. In newer iPhones, it’s possible to purchase more storage space directly from Apple. The year, make, and model of a used smartphone will give you more insight into whether or not it’s possible to expand storage space down the line.
Is this phone compatible with all carriers?
Photo of a businessman using mobile phone in the city
Purchasing a used smartphone that isn’t compatible with your chosen carrier would be a huge mistake. Some of the most common phone carriers are T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. Other lesser known phone carriers include Cricket, Mint Mobile, and Google Fi. Regardless of the phone carrier you prefer, your used smartphone needs to be fully compatible. There’s no use in buying the used smartphone of your dreams if you can’t sync it up with whatever phone carrier you’re already in a contract with.
Since T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T are a little more well-known and costly than cheaper alternatives, they’re often willing to work with clientele to make sure your smartphone will work with their plans. In some cases, they’ll even allow you to trade in an incompatible smartphone for one that works with their plans as a way of reeling in your business.
Does the phone have any physical blemishes or visual damage?
Shady people who sell used smartphones will try to hide physical blemishes and visual damages with trendy phone cases or layers of polish in all the right places. Along with outright asking the seller about any blemishes or visual damage on the phone, go out of your way to analyze the phone with your own two eyes. If the seller placed the smartphone in a case, slip it out so you can see all corners of the phone to check for scuffs, scratches, and other marks you wouldn’t be able to see otherwise.
You can tell that a phone has been dropped multiple times if the corners and edges of the phone are highly scraped up. Smartphones with tons of visual damage might not have the best functionality anymore, which means they aren’t always worth buying. Smartphones that’ve been rattled from several drops might start exhibiting issues like poor signal strength or a warped screen.
Can I transfer my current phone number over to the phone?
Senior couple using smart phone outdoors.
You should definitely be able to transfer your current phone number to whatever used smartphone you’re planning to purchase. If you can’t effortlessly transfer your phone number, the sale shouldn’t take place at all. It would be unfair if you were forced into taking on a brand-new phone number when you’re already comfortable with the number you have.
Ask the seller you’re working with about the process of transferring your original phone number before completing any transactions. Generally speaking, buying used smartphones is a great way to save money instead of opting for expensive products that are fresh off the shelf. For more coverage on smartphones and other tech, click here to find out about how technology has changed the world since 2010.