What You Should Know Before Buying a Used Smartphone

Smartphone companies are constantly evolving; developing new technology that it almost seems as if your new smartphone is already an old model the moment you bring it home. While there are many benefits to having a new model – top of the line cameras, up-to-date and often innovative technology, and faster speeds – there are also quite a few downsides; newer technology often comes with glitches and the price tag for high-end models is rather costly.

There are also many benefits to buying a used phone. Pre-owned models can save you a substantial amount of money and may allow you the opportunity to purchase the phone you prefer instead of settling for a model you aren't too fond of. But if you don't know what to look for, purchasing a used model can leave you questioning whether you should have spent the extra cash to avoid the hassle.

Before you purchase any phone – be it new or used – it is always important to do your homework. Finding out which model will give you the most bang for your buck or which one will cause you the least amount of stress is highly important. But when it comes to used phones, there are certain questions you should always ask prior to spending your hard-earned dollars.

By knowing what to ask, the probability of getting scammed by a fraudulent sale is less likely.Dropping $200 to $300 on a smartphone that's going to break down on you within a couple of weeks isn't going to save you anything, but is more liable to create more of an inconvenience. Anything you invest in should be worth it and something you won't end up regretting. On the topic of technology, click here to uncover the cell phones and smartphones that no longer exist.

To compile this list of what you should know 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. It is extremely important to make sure when you purchase a used smartphone, you are getting the best deal.

As a buyer looking for a smartphone, and preferably one that's 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. Keep in mind that if the phone isn't brand-new, its price point shouldn't rival what businesses are selling them at. Many people are selling used smartphones on various sites like eBay where you'll be able to track down smartphones you can personally afford.

Even when buying a new smartphone, we often forget to remove our passwords from our older model but when purchasing a used phone, it is imperative that you make sure all passwords have been completely removed from it. If the passwords are still in effect, 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.

A huge red flag to be aware of is if the seller doesn't have inside knowledge about the existing passwords. This could indicate that they might be trying to sell a smartphone that's been stolen. If you come across a seller who's unable to remove mysterious passwords from a smartphone, pass on the deal. The stolen smartphone market is more common than you might realize.

While you may never know how many previous users owned a smartphone, its always a good idea to still inquire. It's more likely that the smartphone will be in better condition if it only had one or two previous owners but 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 extremely careful 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.

When a phone has been jailbroken, it means any software restrictions a device manufacture placed on it have been completely removed. This will then allow the installation of all unauthorized software, exposing the smartphone 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.

Buying any electronics that have been jailbroken is incredibly risky and is not recommended. You'll need to protect your valuable information and may not want to sign 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.

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. Another is music – if the phone has been exposed to water, tunes don't always have great sound quality. Phone calls 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.

Most phones are constantly making software updates. As technology advances, almost by the minute, your smartphone depends on the latest programs to operate effectively. 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.

It is important to know that if a smartphone is unable to make proper software updates, it can be problematic since you won't be able to keep many of your favorite apps updated as time progresses. 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.

Brand-new smartphones purchased in-store typically come 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.

Sure, any charger might work at the moment but if it isn't compatible, it can damage your phone leading to more serious issues. Chargers that are meant for your smartphone have the correct voltage and amperage designed to work with your phone's requirements.Going even a day or two without the compatible charger will become a problem as soon as the phone loses battery power and dies.

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.

Unlike a new purchase, used smartphones don't typically come with automatic warranties. While it may be possible to purchase a used smartphone with the original manufacturer's warranty still in place, that isn't always an option. You should always ask the seller you're working with if there's a warranty you can get your hands on.

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.

Some sellers are willing to sell smartphones that appear to be in perfect 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.

Even with a new smartphone purchased at a retailer, battery life always seems to eventually diminish. Smartphones have a reputation for losing battery life quicker as they get older. This issue is even more exacerbated in used smartphones. 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. When you're traveling, using your phone for pictures, social media, and work, if your smartphone starts dying after the first couple of hours, it will not only be a huge inconvenience, but can interfere with your plans. You'll have to decide which moments are worth recording and which moments will end up neglected.

Storage space may not seem the most important when purchasing a phone, new or used, but 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. It can be incredibly frustrating to find you ran out of storage space before your big travel plans or that upcoming event. 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.

It is of the utmost importance to make sure a used smartphone is compatible with your current carrier. The top three big phone companies are T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T, although there are many smaller carriers that include Cricket, Mint Mobile, and Google Fi. Regardless of who your phone carrier is, your used smartphone needs to be fully compatible. If you are unable to sync your new used smartphone with your current phone carrier, buying that used smartphone of your dreams will have been a waste.

Even though certain phone carriers are often more willing to work with their customers to make your smartphone work with their plans, more well-known companies like T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T that may allow you to trade in an incompatible smartphone for one that works withing their plans, it is still in your best interest to verify prior to any purchases that there won't be any issues.

Not all sellers are honest about their products and some people may attempt to sell a used smartphone with physical blemishes and visual damages. By adding trendy phone cases or camouflaging certain areas, they can get you to buy a product that isn't what was listed. You should always ask the seller about any blemishes or visual damage on the phone, as well as analyzing the phone with your own eyes. Remove the phone from its case and check all major points like all corners of the phone to check for scuffs, scratches, and other marks you wouldn't be able to see otherwise.

If the corners and edges of the phone are highly scraped up, this is a good indication that it has been dropped multiple times. 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.

Regardless of what carrier you use, you should 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. Making a switch to a new phone number is probably something you didn't want, or expect, to do.

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.

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