Buying a second-hand iPhone is often the best option for those who want to have a good device but cannot afford to pay for a new terminal. However, the world of second-hand buying and selling is full of scams and other tricks, so we will give you a series of tips to take into account before formalizing any purchase of this type.
If you buy through a store
There are many stores where you can sell your iPhone and you can also buy them. These are usually trustworthy because they usually offer guarantees and even insurance for the devices. However, the condition of the product may not be the most indicated.
We recommend, whenever possible, go to one of these stores in person and check for yourself that the device is in the state you want. You must also make sure of the conditions of sale and whether you can return the device in a reasonable period of time so that you can test it thoroughly. In case you can’t return it when you buy it, you will have to settle for the phone regardless of whether it convinces you.
If you buy from an individual
The private buying and selling market is the largest and possibly the most dangerous. Unfortunately, there are numerous people and organizations that offer devices such as iPhone absurdly cheap or at a very competitive price, ensuring that this is original and in good condition. Not everyone who offers a device this way has to be scammers and the like, but you’d better make sure of it.
Invoice and serial number
The first advice in this regard is to use common sense and not give credibility to someone you don’t know, no matter how well the matter is painted. If you are in a portal such as Wallapop, Vibbo or some other, you must request certain information from the seller, such as the original invoice containing the serial number of the device. To make sure that this number is the same as that of the device, ask to see a photo of the phone in Settings> General> Information, where this number appears. But be careful, do not ask for a capture of it but a photograph taken on the phone, showing the terminal on the outside and the screen with the data.
If the payment is by transfer, be suspicious
One of the most common ways that fraudsters have to steal money from users is through bank transfers to accounts that cannot be claimed later. We understand, as always, that scammers are not the ones behind these requests in all cases, but it is something that is shocking to say the least. Today there are many forms of payment such as Bizum, PayPal or other methods, so a transfer should be null for this type of sales between individuals.
Prioritize personal encounters
The moment you are decided on a device and it is possible to meet the buyer in person, do it. In fact this condition could be indispensable. Not all platforms, applications and websites have guarantees of authenticity or proper functioning of products, despite the fact that they may have shipping services. Therefore, checking the terminal in person is the best option.
First you check, then you receive and finally you pay
We understand that for a seller there can also be serious doubts with the buyer, but in the end the person who makes the payment is the latter. Therefore, once you make sure that the device works correctly or that it adjusts to your needs and that it has been sent to you, pay it. Try by all means not to make any payment prior to receiving the product. Perhaps a bond could be just so that both parties do not lose too much in case of problems, but as long as it is fair and falls within common sense.
Checks on the device
If you have physical access to the device, it is important to know what are the aspects to be evaluated to ensure that its operation is ideal. You will be able to check more things besides those that we will comment below, but this checklist that you are going to see must be indispensable.
Charge cycles and battery health
One of the aspects that we value the most when choosing a mobile is that the autonomy is good. Batteries are the components that can wear out the most with use, so in a second-hand phone you could have serious problems. One way to check the level of wear is from Settings> Battery> Battery Health . If you are in telematic contact with the seller you must ask him to take a photo, again it would not be worth a capture but a photograph in the same conditions as the interior section.
Another useful check you can do is the charge cycles that the iPhone has consumed. In the following video you can see what it is useful to know this data and how it can be obtained.
Display and touch panel
The screen is another of the basic aspects to guarantee a good user experience. This may be scratched or even have a defective pixel. In the worst case, the touch panel may be completely damaged or not working. So you should check as far as possible that it looks good, that you can interact through the interface without problems and that there is no physical damage. If the seller has warned you of a small blow or scratch, make sure that it is not greater than what it tells you.
Speakers and microphones
Checking that the microphone works is as simple as doing a test from the Voice Notes app . In this you can make a recording of several seconds talking and then listen to it. If during playback you notice any strange noise or directly see a flat line, it is because the microphone is defective. The speaker can also be checked in this section, although you can also search for a song on YouTube and see how it listens.
Along these same lines, it is also convenient to check the headphone jack. If it is an iPhone 6s or earlier, you can do it from the 3.5 mm jack connector. If it is an iPhone 7 or later, you must have a Lightning headset or its corresponding adapter to verify that the device also works well in this part.
Check the load
If the iPhone doesn’t charge, no matter how well it works otherwise, it will make for a nice paperweight. We understand that checking that it charges correctly is somewhat complicated if the transaction is carried out in person and in a place such as the street, so we recommend you go with an iPhone compatible powerbank that allows you to check it.
If the device also has wireless charging capacity and this is an aspect that interests you, you should also carry out the corresponding check with a charging base. Although in this case it is more difficult to carry out the analysis if you are in a place like the street.
Camera and Face ID / Touch ID
If necessary, set up your iPhone with the vendor to gain access to the camera and check that both front and rear work well. It also performs video tests in which it also collects the audio, so that you can ensure a 100% smooth operation.
The iPhone X and later, except for the iPhone SE 2020, have Face ID as a biometric sensor and that is used to unlock the phone or make payments. On iPhone 8 and earlier (up to 5s), Touch ID is the available fingerprint system. In both cases you must make sure that they work as they should, either with a sample from the seller or by testing it yourself after configuration.
Check connectivity
Although everything may seem good at first glance, there are some aspects such as the WiFi connection or the Bluetooth that could present a fault. So there are two highly recommended connections to check before making the purchase. It will be enough to connect to your current mobile sharing data to verify that the first one works. For the latter, accessories such as compatible bluetooth headphones will suffice.
Most importantly, is it locked?
If the iPhone has been locked through Apple or by a phone company, it cannot be used. You can check if an iPhone has been blocked by iCloud very easily. In this sense, you will know that it is not a stolen device if you requested the original invoice from the seller, although it may be the case that it is subsequently blocked. For this reason, you must take the iPhone fully restored so that it is not associated with any Apple ID other than yours.
By following all these tips you should have no problem finding a trusted second hand iPhone. However, read carefully and carefully each section of the clauses in the event that you acquire it through a non-private service. Also always try to have documents that prove your purchase in case of possible later ills and, at the extreme, file the corresponding complaint in a police station or with a consumer association if it is a professional establishment.