Things to Know Before Buying a Used Smartphone

When buying a refurbished smartphone, there are several things you need to keep in mind. Thus, here is a checklist to run through. If any of these listed things aren’t clear, then you need to ask the seller before you buy.

Is the Phone Unlocked?

Smartphones that are locked to a carrier are usually a bit cheaper, so if you are happy on your present network provider, then opt in for a device that is locked to the same provider. Unlocked smartphones, in contrast, are open to be used on any network.

Does the Phone Come with Any Accessories?

It is important to figure out if the phone comes in the original box, with an original charger and cable. You need to know if there are any extras being thrown in, such as headphones, or screen guards. The original box is a good sign that the phone is not stolen and accessories with it confirm that the previous owner has been taking good care of the device and its accouterments.

Has It been Factory Reset?

Even though you are buying a pre-owned phone, you would obviously want it to be wiped clean. Make sure that the previous owner has removed all the personal accounts and look out for the Factory Reset Protection (FRP) feature. If the FRP is not disabled before the phone is sold, then,

If FRP is not disabled before the phone is sold, then, even after a factory reset, you will be prompted to enter the username and password for the last Google account that was registered with the device before you can use it.

Is there Any Physical Damage?

Ideally, you’ll be able to review a good mix of photos before you buy, but it’s worth checking whether there’s any damage that isn’t obvious from the supplied photos. You may also want to ask about water damage before you make your purchase.

Test Your Phone

When your new phone arrives, make sure you test it immediately and thoroughly. Put your SIM in and check how it works, try charging the phone, and test the headphone port. Also watch out for any battery problems. That’s because batteries deteriorate over time and may eventually struggle to hold a charge.

You can try a diagnostic app or use service codes. These are readily available with a quick online search, and you can thus test the battery, screen, and the other few tits and bits. If you find a problem, it is better to isolate it as soon as possible. If you have a warranty, then you can quickly make a claim. If not, you can return your phone and claim a refund.

At JemJem, we understand the doubts customers may have about online shopping, especially when it comes to purchasing a piece of refurbished technology. Will the device arrive as perfect? Will it work as it should? What if there are any issues?

Your satisfaction is our priority. Thus, we back the reliability of our products with a 90-day warranty, a hassle-free return policy, customer service that is ready to help you with any of your concerns, and if any issue occurs, we make sure that our repair service fixes it. We offer more varieties of refurbished Apple products than any other website, and pride ourselves for having an accessible stock that is often available at more than 50% off the retail price of the same product. In fact, with access to the resources to retain a very healthy inventory, we supply our customers with tens of thousands of devices per month – and, as an added bonus, we ship free throughout the United States. Contact us today for any other insights!