It’s easy to get confused about what a refurbished phone means. When you are shopping for used phones, especially iPhones, you will find them in a wide variety of conditions. Their battery or screen may have been replaced. These phones are usually checked for functionalities and then sold as new devices.
iPhones are great and everyone wants to own one. However, they are not very cheap and many people cannot afford one. But they can still buy an iPhone in a refurbished condition that works just as well as the usual iPhone.
If you are one of those who are interested in purchasing a refurbished iPhone, then you have come to the right place.
Here are some things you need to keep in mind before you go buying a refurbished iPhone:
Is the Seller Reliable?
One of the concerns you may have when buying a refurbished iPhone is that the seller is a reputable and established Apple dealer. If he is, then you are confident about the quality and reliability of the refurbished iPhone you are purchasing.
If you come across a dealer who’s not as established, you should be skeptical about purchasing a refurbished iPhone from them.
Is the Phone Stolen?
You have to make sure that the refurbished iPhone you are interested in buying isn’t a stolen device, otherwise, you’ll be in trouble.
Apple has security measures in place that make it impossible to activate a stolen iPhone. How to check if the iPhone is stolen? It’s easy, just check the IMEI number. There are plenty of legit resources online that allow you to check if the particular iPhone is blacklisted or not.
If a phone is blacklisted, it has been reported as stolen. Do not buy it.
Did Your Check for Hardware Damage?
All phones are prone to wearing and tearing, which include scratches on the surface of the phone.
If there are major scratches on the front screen, then there will be issues with face or finger biometrics for unlocking your phone. If there are sound issues, you will not be alerted in case of a call. You can also check the water damage sensor to find out if the iPhone has been submerged in water before. Test the camera if it’s in working condition.
If you are not familiar with checking the phone’s hardware, then it’s best that you purchase the refurbished iPhone from a reputable seller.
Have You Checked the Battery?
Make sure that the iPhone you are making a purchase for has a strong battery.
You can check battery life from the settings. Of course, you are going for a refurbished iPhone that has already been used by someone else before, but its battery life should still be decent.
However, if the battery life of the refurbished iPhone is not as good, you can request the Apple company to install a new battery.
Is the Phone Carrier-Locked?
There are some iPhones that only work with particular carriers but there may be some that are suitable for all carriers.
You can check from the iPhone settings. Tap Settings > General > About > scroll down to find Carrier Lock. If it says No SIM restrictions, it means that the iPhone can be used with any cellular carrier.
However, if SIM locked is showing in Carrier Lock that means the iPhone device is locked to the carrier that the seller has used it with. You can unlock that by contacting the carrier and requesting them to unlock it. For instance, the seller may have bought the iPhone from Xfinity. If you have a different carrier, you can request customer service at the Xfinity phone number to unlock the refurbished iPhone by sharing the IMEI number.
Did You Assess the Price and Features?
If you have made up your mind about buying a used iPhone, then you understand that there may be some features you’ll be sacrificing.
However, refurbished iPhones are pocket-friendly and you are able to save up on a significant amount of money. Hence, if prioritizing your budget is more important for you than enjoying the full features of an iPhone, then buying a refurbished iPhone is the best option for you.
Final Thoughts: Where to Buy Refurbished iPhone
The best places to purchase a refurbished iPhone are at the Apple company itself which sells refurbished iPhones directly on their website. You can also check at the local Apple store as well. The place you can look at is phone firms that sell new iPhones as well as refurbished ones.
Don’t forget about all the things you need to consider checking when purchasing a refurbished iPhone.
