Simple Checks To Make When Buying A Second-Hand Smartphone

Buying anything second-hand these days is so much better for the environment, especially when it comes to buying a smartphone. Plus, it can also be much nicer for your bank balance too! For example, the second you drive a brand new car off the forecourt, it dramatically looses value. It’s the same with pretty much anything you buy brand new. As soon as you’re out of the shop, it’s value goes down. So, why not save yourself some money buy second-hand instead. It’s a great way to get your hands on some cheap smartphones!

As well as saving yourself money, you’ll be helping the environment in so many ways…

1. You can sell and recycle your old mobile phone using one of the many companies that do this.
2. You cut down on waste by opting to use something that’s already been made.
3. It encourages manufacturers to act more responsibly.
4. Buying a used phone is a great way to show manufacturers the demand for sustainable production exists.

What Can Go Wrong When Buying A Second-hand Smartphone?

With new handsets being released every year from all the big smartphone manufacturers, there’s never any shortage of smartphones to purchase second-hand. It’s a good way for people to upgrade their handset to the latest device, often offsetting the cost by selling their old one. As shown by people even choosing to sell iPhone 12 mini smartphones only months after buying so they can keep up with the releases.

Some Smartphone Stats

1. 99% of 16 – 34 year-olds own a mobile phone.
2. 96% of 35 – 54 year-olds own one, according to Statista figures.

However, with Uswitch finding the average cost of a mobile phone topped a whopping £355 in 2020. Many are turning to second-hand smartphones to reduce the cost. But even here, there are many pitfalls for you to navigate.

Learn how to spot a diamond from a dud…

Refurbished Or Not?

Refurbished second-hand phones have all their components tested. If any don’t work, they’re replaced. As a result, these phones work as new, even though there might be a couple of cosmetic scuffs or scratches on the body or display. That makes them a great bet when buying second-hand.

What Mobile Network?

Part of the joy of getting a used mobile phone is that you can shop around for typically rock-bottom SIM-only phone deals, playing networks off each other to get the best possible price. If the used phone you choose is locked to a specific network you can probably get a SIM-only contract from them, but it might not be the cheapest. That’s why unlocked phones make a lot of sense.

What’s The Grade?

Most second-hand phone sites organise their phones by grades. A grade-A phone might be pristine, with no scratches or scuffs, while a grade-C phone may work perfectly, but have a crack here and there. By getting to grips with the grading system and checking the photographs on the listing, you can buy happy in the knowledge you know what you’re getting. Checking the grades on the used phones will tell you quickly whether these cheap smartphones are worth the money!

Is It Secure?

Every used phone seller needs to comply with data protection regulations, otherwise buyers can end up with a phone loaded with the previous owner’s personal data. Make sure that you’re not funding illegal approaches to privacy by checking the data policy of your seller, and asking for one if you can’t easily see it on their website. If you buy a phone and there’s data on it, it may be stolen – you can run its IMEI number though this website to see if it’s the result of theft.

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