Points to check before buying a used smartphone
More and more of you are letting yourself be tempted by a secondhand smartphone. But are refurbished or second-hand phones really good? How to make the right choice ? In this article, we reveal the 5 things to check before buying a used smartphone.
Take advantage of the used market
Buying second hand is more than ever a wise choice. Smartphone manufacturers are offering more and more reliable devices. Today we find on the mobile market in a state very close to new and with technical characteristics still enticing.
In addition, smartphones all look more or less alike. Used models no longer experience a visual aging as fast as before. Smartphones support the weight of years more easily. It’s smart to be able to tell the difference between a 5th and 6th generation phone.
But it is especially at the price level that the advantages of the occasion appear. With the proliferation of models in the range of manufacturers, the discount of second-hand smartphones reaches records. You can easily find devices 30 to 50% cheaper than the price of new.
5 checks to make before buying a used smartphone
After multiple hesitations, you decided to change your smartphone and opt for a used phone. But beware, we can stupidly waste time and money believing to save money. It is therefore advisable to exercise caution before jumping on any device.
This little guide will help you not to be scammed by unscrupulous sellers. Following the rules presented below will help you avoid many disappointments.
Beware of counterfeits
As for the purchase of a new smartphone, it is important to learn about the desired model. Indeed, according to a study by the OECD nearly 20% of phones sold worldwide are counterfeits. Of course some of these models may end up someday on the second hand market.
Usually sold on classified ad sites at very affordable prices, counterfeits offer much lower performance, reliability and lifespan than official models. Here are several tips to recognize a genuine smartphone from a counterfeit.
Check the operation of the internal components
Controlling the external shell of the smartphone is one thing, but making sure that all the external components (GPS, sensors, screen, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc …) work properly is a much more complicated task. In 10 minutes, it is very difficult to make a complete and detailed tour of all the functions of a smartphone.
Fortunately, applications such as Z Device Test can perform a complete test of the various sensors of a mobile.View the technical characteristics of the phone you want to acquire
Display the technical characteristics of the phone you want to acquire As a bonus, the application offers a detailed analysis of all the technical characteristics of a smartphone (processor model, amount of onboard RAM etc …). Very useful to unmask counterfeits.
The application is free. Of course, you will need to ask permission from the owner before installing it. You will find detailed information about using Z Device Test on this page: perform a complete diagnosis of your Android device.
Drums
Without the battery, no smartphone. This sentence may seem stupid but it is important to remember it. Indeed, very few buyers bother to check this yet important element.
In general, a battery is capable of supporting 800 charge cycles. However, according to a study conducted a few years ago, some batteries are starting to show signs of weakness after less than 300 complete unloading cycles.
Here is a tip to accurately analyze the degree of wear of the battery. This operation can be performed on any Android smartphone.
- Launch the telephony application
- Open the dialer (phone dialing screen)
- Type the following code: * # * # 4636 # * # *
- Then select the option battery information
If the number displayed next to the battery is 100, everything is perfect. The battery of this smartphone has not lost its capabilities. She is not likely to unload faster than when she was new.
On the other hand, a number of 60 or 50 indicates that the battery shows signs of fatigue. It is now running below its initial capacity. You will have to wait for less autonomy.
Check the unlocking
It does not always think and yet many phones are blocked on an operator. Make a test with a SIM card other than that of the seller’s operator. If you can not withdraw your card, there are secret codes to know the status of your phone. These differ depending on the smartphone brands.
Once the code entered in the dialer of the phone, you will see on the screen the title Network Lock followed by On or Off. A mobile is free of operator when the Off appears. Note that only the holder of the line can perform the steps to unlock a mobile.
Used smartphone or reconditioned phone
Is it better to buy a smartphone from an individual or a professional? Reconditioned phones sold in supermarkets or specialty shops are often more expensive.
In return, they offer a guarantee. In addition phones have undergone a complete overhaul before being sold. Individuals do not offer any contractual guarantee. You’ll only have a few minutes to test the phone and find out if it’s really worth it
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