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How to Buy a Used Phone Without Getting Fleeced


Everyone in the world is itching to upgrade to the latest and greatest, but not you. You’re a deal hunter, and while everyone else is paying $1,000 or more for a shiny new device, you’re buying a used version of last year’s almost-as-good model for a fraction of the cost. Here’s how to get a deal without getting scammed.

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Get the Right Phone for Your Phone Company

Every iPhone model starting with the iPhone 5 works on all phone company networks. However, it's important to know that AT&T's network uses an extra LTE signal that the others don't, which can mean faster service in some places. If you buy an iPhone that was designed for use with Verizon and take it to AT&T, you may not be able to access that LTE signal. Ask the seller for the iPhone's model number (it will be something like A1633 or A1688) and check to make sure it's compatible with your carrier.

Make Sure the Phone Isn't Stolen

When buying a used iPhone, you don't want to buy a stolen phone. Apple prevents stolen iPhones from being activated by new users with its Activation Lock tool. But you'll only know if a phone is Activation Locked after you buy it, when it's too late. That said, it's possible to find out if an iPhone is stolen before buying. You need the phone's the IMEI or MEID (depending on carrier) number. Ask the seller for it or follow these steps to get it:

1. Tap the Settings app on the iPhone.

2. Select General.

3. Tap About.

4. Scroll down and look next to IMEI (or MEID) for the number. It is usually a 15-digit number.

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5. When you have the number, go to the CTIA Stolen Phone Checker website and enter the number into the field provided.

6. Place a check next to I'm not a robot and click Submit.

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7. The website returns a green Not reported lost or stolen or a red notice that the phone has been reported as lost or stolen.If the report contains anything other than the green notice, it's better to look elsewhere for a phone.

Confirm the Phone Isn't Carrier Locked

Even if you have the right iPhone model, it's a good idea to call your phone company before you buy to confirm it can activate the phone. To do this, ask the seller for the phone's IMEI number for AT&T and T-Mobile or the MEID number for Verizon and Sprint. Then call your carrier, explain the situation, and give the carrier the phone's IMEI or MEID number. The company should be able to tell you whether the phone is compatible.

Check the Battery

Since users can't replace the iPhone's battery, you want to be sure that any used iPhone you buy has a strong battery. A lightly used iPhone should have decent battery life, but anything more than a year old should be checked. Check the health of the battery on phones running iOS 12 and up using the Battery Health feature:

1. Tap the Settings app.

2. Tap Battery.

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3. Tap Battery Health.

4. The percentage displayed in the Maximum Capacity section tells you good the battery is. A perfect, brand-new battery on a brand-new phone would have 100% capacity, so the closer you are to that, the better.

Apple installs new batteries in their iPhones for a reasonable price, so if you can't get reliable information on the condition of the battery, go to Apple.com for a price on replacing the battery before you commit to the purchase.

Check for Other Hardware Damage

Every iPhone has normal wear and tear such as dings or scratches on the sides and back of the phone. However, major scratches on the screen, problems with the Touch ID or 3D Touch sensor, scratches on the camera lens, or other hardware damage can be big problems. Ask to inspect the phone in person if possible. Check the water damage sensor to see if the phone has ever gotten wet. Test the camera, buttons, and other hardware. If inspecting the phone isn't possible, buy from one of the reputable, established sellers who stand behind their products.

Find the Right Storage Capacity

While the allure of a low price is strong, remember that used iPhones usually aren’t the latest models and often have less storage space than current models. The current top-of-the-line iPhones offer up to 512 GB of storage for your music, photos, apps, and other data. Some models that are available for low prices have as little as 16 GB of space. That's a big difference. Size isn't as important as it used to be, particularly for people who use iCloud for photos and music, but you shouldn't get anything smaller than 32 GB (and the more, the better).

Assess Features and Price

Be sure you know what features you're sacrificing when you buy a used iPhone. Most likely, you're buying at least one generation behind the current model (a refurbished iPhone may be $100 or more cheaper). That's fine and is a smart way to save money. Just make sure you know the features the model you're considering doesn't have and that you're OK without them.

Where to Buy a Used or Refurbished iPhone

If a used iPhone is right for you, you need to decide where to pick up your new toy. Some good options for finding lower-cost refurbished iPhones include:

  • Apple: Apple sells refurbished products on its website. While it doesn't always have iPhones, the selections change daily, so it's worth checking. Apple's refurbished iPhones are repaired by the experts with Apple parts, and they come with the same one-year warranty that new iPhones have.

  • Phone Companies: Most of the major phone companies that sell new iPhones also sell used or refurbished ones that were traded in during upgrades or returned for repairs.

iZeek Repair: Be sure to buy from a reputable store! we sale certified refurbished iphones that can be used by any carrier (unlocked). you can find many last-generation devices at solid discounts and at great condition. All iZeek iPhone been tested and repaired to ensure that it's as good as new and we always ensure that the phone is up to factory standards and cover with 30 days store warranty. call our store to find out more and what we have in stock 2034155211

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