Switching gadgets is costly, mainly because the best Android phones can be expensive. You know the ones, they come all singing and dancing with the ability to support first person games and the best cameras, etc. These days, even mid-range phones come with a lot more accessories, but buying a used Android phone is also an excellent way to save money. Used phones are less expensive, especially if you choose an earlier model.
Used. A word with a lot of bad connotations attached to it. But that doesn’t have to be the case as long as you do your homework. That’s where we come in handy. Check out our ten tips below before you make your purchase.
1. Refurbished or Used
If you’re looking for a used Android phone, you’ll have to choose between two options: refurbished and used. The maker has rejuvenated refurbished cellphones, making them appear and feel as good as new. In addition, refurbished phones usually come with a guarantee that will cover you if something goes wrong. On the other hand, used Android phones came from someone’s pocket. They usually are less expensive than reconditioned models, but they are more likely to have flaws and malfunction.
2. Network Lock
The last thing you want is to invest in a new phone only to discover it isn’t compatible with your preferred network. While it is possible to unlock a used phone on a different network, this is a costly and time-consuming operation.
3. Battery & Charging
Batteries degrade faster than the rest of the phone, retaining up to 80% of their original capacity after 500 complete charge cycles, or around two years of nightly charging. Has it been replaced? There aren’t many wear points on a smartphone, but the charging port is usually the first to fail. So don’t let a poor connection shock you. Clean it well to eliminate any lint or debris accumulated, and then test it.
4. Safeguarding
Always demand a soft or hard copy of the original bill from the seller, which shows their name as the buyer of the device, as well as other nitty-gritty details like the date and time of the original purchase, the name of the store from which it was purchased, warranty details, and so on, to protect yourself from unnecessary hassles like buying a stolen handset.
5. Accessories
Check with the seller or store to see if the phone you’re considering comes with a charging cord, power adaptor, and any other accessories that are often included in the box, such as headphones.
6. Condition
Among the most abused technology on the planet, many smartphones sustain physical abuse, reducing its lifespan. Hence, it is vital to inspect the equipment from each perspective.
7. When
If you want to purchase the most recent phone model while saving the most money, buy a used smartphone just after the release of its successor, when all of the early adopters sell their previous cellphones.
8. Returns
Used smartphones provide their own set of risks. For example, you might not know that the device is prone to failure. The return policy comes in handy in this situation. Inquire about the possibility of returning the equipment in the event of failure or other unexpected issues.
9. Buttons
Check that all buttons work, even if you don’t push them hard because a faulty button might make the phone difficult to operate and repair.
10. Fakes
You can perform the following checks to guarantee that your merchant is not defrauding you. Make sure the phone you’re buying is a genuine model by looking through the ‘Settings’ menu for the model number and other hardware characteristics. Compare the model number to the one on the phone or the battery sticker on the rear of the phone. You can also use the hardware specifications to see if they match the manufacturer’s requirements for that model.
