Buzz
Used phones are often sought after by those with tight budgets or individuals looking to collect and use high-end phones at affordable prices. However, not everyone has the experience in selecting mobile phones in like-new condition ranging from 100% - 95%.
In today's article, Mytour compiles some tips for purchasing used phones.
Choosing the Right Time to Buy High-Quality Used Items
Typically, manufacturers release their products a week or a month after introducing a new item. The most suitable time to buy a used phone is about two to three months after its launch.
Because at that point, many users sell their used phones, or grey market imports are much cheaper than official ones.
Alternatively, you can opt for a lower version of Xiaomi, for example: After Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 debuts, you can choose to buy Xiaomi Redmi 10A 32GB, as its price will drop at this time, making it a suitable time to purchase.
Compare phone prices at various retailers
The price of used phones is usually not fixed, with high or low prices depending on the condition of the phone, sellers often determine the price based on the external appearance of the device.
You should consult various sources on different websites to gather information. Don't focus too much on the appearance, but delve into the phone's functionalities, such as 3G/4G connectivity, screen quality, touch responsiveness, battery life, etc.
Warranty and return policies
If it's a used item, you should pay attention to this aspect. Using second-hand items requires you to be mentally prepared for unexpected issues that may arise during usage, whether it's software, hardware, or physical damages that can be immediately checked such as scratches, camera, touch screen.
Therefore, warranty and return policies will provide you with peace of mind and protect your rights for future use.
Verify the credibility of seller information on social media
After verifying the warranty and return policies, you should seek feedback from previous buyers about the seller and assess the safety of the seller.
Thoroughly researching the seller can help avoid many risks in transactions and dissatisfaction with purchased items.
Check IMEI number and phone signal
IMEI is one of the crucial codes of a phone; with the IMEI number, you can verify the origin of your device and whether it is genuine or not.
If it's Fullbox, you should compare the IMEI number on the device with the one on the product box. To check IMEI, dial *#06# to display the IMEI number.
Inspect screen and touch functionality
This is a step you should thoroughly check, as it will directly impact your future user experience.
For used devices, it's advisable to conduct a Speed Test. Due to limited space, Mytour Supermarket only provides instructions for screen testing with some popular phone brands:
- LG: Enter the command: 3845#*modelname#. For example, if your phone is LG Optimus G with model code F180, type 3845#*180#.
- Asus: ##4636##
- Lenovo: ####1111#
- HTC: ##3424##
- Sony: ##7378423##
- Samsung: #0#
- Xiaomi: ##64663##
With the codes shared above, here are the detailed contents you need to know:
- All auto test: automatically tests three items for you: Usim card - sim, SD card - memory card, and Earphone - headphone
- All auto test Result: after you finish testing all, it will display a summary table here.
- Key / Compass Test: assess the sensitivity of all keys / test the gyro sensor
- Camera Test: Check if your camera has any dead pixels or camera issues.
- VT Camera: Check the front camera.
- Display check test: Examine the display; touch the screen to check for any dead pixels.
- Ring test: Check the external speaker.
- Vibrator test: Assess the intensity of the device's vibration.
- Touch window test: Verify touch sensitivity; draw on the screen to see if there are any areas without touch response.
- GPS Test: Test the GPS functionality.
Included Accessories
Typically, when purchasing a used phone from larger stores, you'll receive genuine accessories such as: cable, charger, earphones.
Check Battery Life
With used devices, don't be surprised if the battery drains quickly, as they have been in use for some time, resulting in decreased battery capacity. Test thoroughly; if the battery depletion is slow, then it's a device with a good battery.
