For those on a budget but wanting a new iPhone, buying a used one is a popular option.
But have you ever wondered what might happen when you buy a used iPhone ? Apart from the obvious disadvantages like no original warranty and physical wear and tear, there are many other things that you might encounter when buying a used iPhone that we will find out.
Reasons to avoid buying used iPhones - 1
Guarantee
A used device from any other retailer, no matter how authorized or reputable, does not grant the user the privilege of an Apple warranty, although they may offer a store warranty with completely different terms and conditions. If you are lucky, you may be able to buy a new iPhone that has been activated for a few months, meaning it is still under warranty. However, those iPhones will not be cheap when compared to buying new.
When covered by Apple, defects in the camera, bad pixels, speakers, or microphones, etc. may be covered under Apple's warranty. However, accidental damage or deterioration due to misuse will not be covered without AppleCare+.
Battery Health
A used iPhone with a battery that is still at 100% should be reviewed, because it is almost certainly not the original battery. The further the battery is from 100%, the shorter the charging cycle, the lower the performance, ... leading to a less enjoyable experience.
Reasons to avoid buying used iPhones - 2
All iPhones contain lithium-ion batteries that begin to degrade over time, especially if charging cycles, ambient temperatures, and exposure to sunlight accelerate this. Meanwhile, it’s hard to know how your iPhone’s history has been treated by its previous owner to ensure the battery stays in good condition.
Cosmetic defects
Normal wear and tear comes with a used iPhone, even if it’s well protected with a case or tempered glass, and there’s nothing the buyer can do to mitigate it other than inspect it thoroughly to ensure minimal damage.
Brand new iPhones can have cosmetic flaws, but Apple has a return policy for that — something used iPhone buyers can't do. If scratches bother you, the best thing to do is avoid them.
Counterfeit components
Fraud against used iPhone buyers has become all too common these days, and the scams are getting more and more sophisticated. While the external defects are obvious, the internals are a bit of a gamble, especially with online sellers often dishonest about replacing an internal part from an Apple store or a third party - which can easily be a counterfeit part.
Reasons to avoid buying used iPhones - 3
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There are several ways to check if an iPhone has fake components, such as checking the components and repair history, checking the liquid contact indicator, etc. After all, paying extra for the peace of mind that comes with a new iPhone is more than worth it.
Internal damage
Water damage, motherboard damage, camera malfunctions, components that have come loose from repeated hard drops, broken charging ports, and more are all possibilities for used iPhones. When these things happen, they’re usually the result of the original owner attempting to repair the damage themselves. Apple notes that this can cause safety and functionality issues if done by an untrained individual, meaning a repaired device isn’t entirely reliable.
Update iOS
A brand new iPhone will provide 5 to 6 years of iOS updates, but a used model will soon lose that and become a vintage or obsolete product. Live Activities, Dynamic Island, StandBy, Journal app,… are just a few of the great features Apple has released with iOS updates over the past few years.
Reasons to avoid buying used iPhones - 4
In short, the magic of using an iPhone is lost if users don’t get the latest features. Not to mention users won’t get security updates for much longer.
Lack of color and style options
When buying a new iPhone, users can choose every possible option, especially color and internal memory. With an old iPhone, although there are many options, it will be difficult to find a product that matches the criteria such as color, model or storage capacity.
This may not seem like a big deal to many, but a little bit of limitation is annoying. It’s likely that many people will feel a little nostalgic about what happened every time they see the product they were aiming for appear before their eyes.
It is also possible for iPhones to be stolen, which is why users should buy from reputable stores that are responsible for handling it if it happens.
