Since Steve Jobs unveiled the first iPhone in 2007, the various incarnations of the device have been among the most desirable pieces of consumer electronics just about anywhere in the world. 

New iPhones are released every year, each of them sporting natty new features and adjustments to functionality. This presents an opportunity to those of us who can’t quite justify dropping hundreds of pounds on a new phone every year: buy one on the used market instead. 

Because for every new model iPhone that’s bought, there’s likely an older one that’s been benched. But rushing into your purchase can be a massive mistake; you might end up with a fake or damaged device that you’re unable to use or return. Better to begin your due diligence here, with these 5 things to check when buying a used iPhone. 

FIRSTLY, WHY BUY A USED OR REFURBISHED IPHONE?

The main reason for buying a used or refurbished phone is that used phones tend to cost significantly less than new ones. But there are other side benefits: for one thing, a used phone doesn’t impose the same environmental cost as making an entirely new one from scratch. You might also have compatibility issues with older peripherals you still have lying around; a less costly upgrade helps you stay up-to-date.

Refurbished tech experts WeSellTek explain a key benefit of choosing a refurbished iPhone: “Because a refurbished iPhone has been fully restored, tested and rigorously checked by the manufacturer, you are guaranteed a good quality product. Refurbished iPhones come with a guarantee of condition before you buy, which is one of the reasons why they are such a popular choice”.

‘The internal device will be restored to factory condition, with all the data from the previous user (if there was one) removed. There will be quality grades to choose from to suit your budget, with the iPhones that are as good as new coming in at a higher price bracket than iPhones with any visible scratches, scuffs or damage.” 

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE BUYING A SECOND-HAND PHONE

There are a number of risks that those buying refurbished phones will need to be aware of. 

Warranty

If you’re buying from a shop, then you should seek assurance that you’ll have some recourse if the phone should prove to be defective. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 will provide a measure of protection, but you might also ask for your retailer to provide a warranty. 

Interestingly, it should be noted warranty is tied to the device, not the owner. If a second hand device is bought which is still covered by warranty it will be honoured. No receipt is necessary to get warranty service, as the warranty status is identified by the device’s serial number.

You can enter the device’s serial number on Apple’s official Check Coverage page to see the current warranty status of the device. 

Give The Device A Decent Once Over

Of course, you might accept the risk that your phone is going to break at some point when you buy it – we do that when buying new and used models alike. In some cases, common faults can be easily repaired by a competent phone shop – find one with a good reputation and you could save yourself the cost of a replacement.

But it’s important to be aware that some repair shops will charge more to repair an old iPhone than the cost of replacing it entirely. Do check both options before moving forward.

Prior to exchanging any money, give your potential new purchase a thorough once over, paying particular attention to any scratches on the screen. You can check if an iPhone has suffered any recent water damage by removing the SIM tray and looking for any evidence of the colour red inside the slot. Red means that the Liquid Contact Indicator has been activated.

Also check for damage to the camera (both front and selfie facing), ensuring it’s able to zoom in and out, and that both portrait and landscape mode switch effortlessly when the device is turned. 

Check Your Used iPhone Isn’t Stolen

When you’re buying second-hand from an unknown source, there’s always the chance that it’ll be stolen. You can find this for sure by checking the IMEI number (which can be found under the ‘about’ section of the general settings). Then, go to a stolen phone checker website.

Check Your Used iPhone’s Battery Health

A faulty iPhone battery can’t easily be replaced (some shops do offer this, but it’s costly and inefficient) so prior to purchase, you should ensure that your used iPhone’s battery is still in rude health. You can do this by clicking on ‘Settings’ > ‘Battery’ > ‘Battery Health’ and checking the battery’s maximum capacity, which is listed as a percentage.

A little wear and tear is fine, and you shouldn’t necessarily expect 100% on an old phone. But a serious reduction (anything below 80%) will require replacement. If you do need to replace your iPhone battery, you should do it through Apple’s official iPhone Battery Replacement webpage.

Check That Your Used iPhone Isn’t Locked To A Specific Network Provider

You’ll also want to check that the handset you’re buying (should you intend to use your old SIM and keep your old number and phone contract) isn’t tied to a single network provider. The previous owner or used phone retailer should have unlocked the networks prior to sale, as only the original network provider can unlock the iPhone. Do ask for them to show you.

You can check with your network provider whether your SIM will work in your new device by noting down the device’s IMEI number and phoning your network provider, who can cross check whether device and SIM are compatible. Always do this before buying a used device. 

Where Can I Buy Or Sell My iPhone?

If you’re selling your iphone prior to buying a newer model, you have several options. Shops might offer you a trade-in when you go to upgrade. You might equally take it to a specialist store (though be aware that they’ll offer you substantially less than its market value) and offer it for sale. Alternatively, you could keep it as a reserve phone, should anything go wrong with your new purchase.

Another option, of course, is to take advantage of second hand websites like eBay, Mazuma Mobile, Gumtree, and Facebook’s Marketplace service. If you’re going to meet a stranger in real life, be sure that you’re taking every sensible precaution to ensure your own safety. 

Do let us know your new number when you have one! We’re always up for a chat here at IDEAL.