iPhone Tips And Tricks: What You Should Know Before Buying A Secondhand iPhone

By Kelly Callanga - 06 Dec '16 06:11AM

The holiday season is fast approaching and Apple has just released its new iPhone 7. If you don't want to spend a fortune on buying a brand new one or not yet eligible for an upgrade through your carrier, you might want to consider buying a secondhand iPhone.

Before you decide on buying that new iPhone from your friend or Craigslist which definitely costs a lot less than buying a brand new one, you need to know some information to make sure that you are getting the best value out of your money.

Buying an iPhone from Apple's refurbished store is the safest option. According to Macworld, the Apple Refurbished Store will give you the peace of mind on buying a refurbished phone considering that it has been checked by Apple employees, and still has warranty.

On the other hand, the cheapest way to buy an iPhone is through someone you know, maybe family or a friend, eBay, Craigslist, or a pawn shop, as suggested by CNET. But before you do, you have to thoroughly check the phone.

First thing you have to do is to make sure that the iPhone is not reported as lost or stolen. Before you pay for the phone, ask for the iPhone's IMEI number and use Apple's Activation Lock status tool on its website. The tool will help you identify if the phone is ready to use.

Next, check if the iPhone is compatible on your network. Some iPhones may still be locked under a certain carrier so its best you make sure you can use it under yours. To check, you just have to get the IMEI number of the iPhone, and call your carrier and have them check it. Your carrier will determine if the phone is eligible to be activated on your account.

Last thing would be to make sure that the phone's microphone, WiFi, camera, speakers, Bluetooth, buttons, and data services are properly working. You would also need to check on the headset port and check if the iPhone is charging properly.

Most refurbished and secondhand iPhones come in with earphones and charger, and some might be a replacement. Recent investigations, according to News Everyday that 99 percent of fake chargers bought online are unsafe, while 90% of chargers labeled as genuine on online stores were proven fake. You may go here to double check.

Buying a refurbished or secondhand iPhone is cheaper. You will still get the quality you always wanted, as long as you know how to check the phone before you purchase it.