5 Things You Should Do Before Buying a Secondhand Smartphone

Featured article by Suhail Ajmal, Independent Technology Author

Smartphones have undeniably made our lives much simpler. From using on-the-go GPS navigation to making online product purchases, smartphones boast convenience at its finest. It wasn’t that long ago, however, that you would have to spend hundreds — sometimes close to $1,000 — to get a new phone. Thanks to the vast and ever-growing market of secondhand smartphones, those days are now long gone. As you shop for a used smartphone, it’s important to consider several things that will help you save money while also making sure you aren’t getting ripped off.

Check Whether the Phone Has Been Stolen

Image via Flickr by Sole Treadmill

First, you want to make sure the phone hasn’t been stolen. Imagine buying a phone and the authorities show up on your doorstep because they tracked the phone and the phone’s GPS led them to your house. Not only will this decision mean you have wasted money on a phone, but it could also possibly land you in criminal trouble. Thankfully, you can check the IMEI (International Mobile Equipment Identity) status of a phone before you purchase it. All you need to do is run the phone’s IMEI number through T-Mobile’s IMEI checker. With access to the largest nationwide 4G LTE network, you can rely on T-Mobile to provide you with reliable communications and information.

Verify the Phone’s Technical Capabilities

Do you want to use the phone to watch videos, surf the internet, or take pictures? Your intended use of the phone will determine which technical specifications the phone needs to have. For example, you want to use the phone to record your son’s baseball games. If so, then you’ll want to make sure the phone has high video resolution. If you’re using the phone to make video calls, then it will need a front-facing camera. For those who want to watch movies and videos, a large screen will be beneficial.

Know the Phone’s Secret Codes

As avid as society is about using smartphones, you would think many people would know about secret codes on phones. The truth is, however, that many people are unaware of them.

On many Android phones, for example, you can perform an LCD display test by typing and sending the code *#*#0*#*#* on the phone’s number pad. Did you know typing and sending the code *#*#4636#*#* on many Android phones will provide pertinent information relating to a phone’s battery usage and lifespan? The better the battery, the better the phone. You can also find codes you can use to discover valuable information about a phone’s hardware and its sensors.

Think About Whether You’re Actually Saving Money

The prices of secondhand smartphones are determined by the market. You want to compare prices before actually making a purchase. Fortunately, it’s quite simple to compare prices without having to open 10 to 20 tabs on your browser. Instead, you can use eBay. Simply search for the phone model you are considering purchasing and filter the results so that they display only “sold listings.” You will get a good idea of what a fair price is for the phone you want to buy.

When comparing prices, keep in mind that “new in box” items are going to be worth quite a bit more than used items. The condition of the actual phone will greatly impact how much it should sell for. If the phone has no cracks on the screen and looks to be in impeccable condition, then it will likely sell for $100 to $200 more than a phone with visible wear and tear.

View the Phone in Person

Ideally, the best way to purchase a secondhand smartphone is to first inspect it in person before making a deal. If you are using an online site to buy the phone and you can’t view the phone in person, you will at least want to make sure it comes with a return policy. Don’t forget to make sure the phone is unlocked, meaning it will work on whatever cellular carrier you want to use for service.

Buying a secondhand smartphone can save you much money. In fact, it’s not uncommon for people to save several hundred dollars buying secondhand when compared to purchasing from the manufacturer. It’s important that you do the things outlined above to ensure you are getting a good deal.

About the Author

Suhail Ajmal is a professional Content Writer/ Copywriter, Tech Geek, SEO Expert, Link Builder and Social Media Marketer. Suhail is fully aware of how to make a website popular on search engines, pull traffic and make sales.