Alex 2016-02-16

We will tell you about the main points that you need to pay attention to when buying a used iPhone. The article is relevant for iPhone 6, 6s+, iPhone 5, 5s and iPhone 4, 4s,

Equipment

It is advisable to buy a used iPhone fully equipped and in its original box with a charger and headphones. If you buy just one device, it may turn out that it is stolen, and you may have all sorts of problems in the future that you don’t need.

When purchasing, check the number on your phone with the number on the box - they must match.

iPhone appearance

Pay attention to how tightly the top cover of the smartphone fits, and whether there are any signs of opening on it.

If you notice crooked bolts or scratches on them, this may mean that the phone was disassembled and repaired in a makeshift manner. And since no one will tell you the reason for the repair, it is better to refuse such a phone.

On a used iPhone, minor scratches or abrasions associated with its use are acceptable on the case. They are easy to distinguish from traces of falls or tampering.

Checking the performance of a used iPhone

When buying a used iPhone, do not rush, but carefully check each item described below. This will save you nerves and money.

1. Checking iPhone using the official Apple website

Go to http://iphoneimei.info and enter your phone's IMEI. As a result, you will receive useful information about the iPhone, such as the color of the phone and its status - whether it is locked to an operator or not.

You can find out the IMEI on your iPhone by going to Settings - General - About this device - IMEI

If the color of the iPhone does not match the information on the website, it means the case or screen has been replaced. To protect yourself from possible problems, do not buy such a phone.

If the status of SIM Lock = Unlock, then you can use a card from any operator in your phone. If it is locked, then find out under which operator, and decide whether it makes sense to buy such a phone, and whether you are ready to spend money on unlocking it.

2. Was the iPhone flooded?

The liquid contact indicator, which exists in all iPhone models, will help us check for drowning. It is white or silver in color in normal mode and turns red when liquid has entered the phone.

If the indicator is missing or red, do not buy such a used iPhone. There is a high chance that it will suddenly stop working.

Table of Liquid Indicator Indicator (LCI) Locations on iPhone Models

3. Screen check on iPhone

Turn your iPhone off and on. When you turn it on, pay attention to the screen, it should be black without any light dots (dead pixels) on it. If the boot screen is white with a black logo, find a completely black picture and see if there are any light spots on it.

Check the screen for sensitivity to your touch over its entire area. Turn on typing and check that all characters are being typed correctly. You can click on any icon and hold until they all shake, then move it across the screen. If the touchscreen does not work in some place, the icon will fall off on its own.

There should also be no cracks on the screen. Often the seller says that you can only replace the glass and the phone will be like new, and may even reduce the price a little. In fact, in practice everything is much more complicated. Therefore, do not buy an iPhone and then immediately repair it.

4. Battery

Please note that iPhone battery life is approximately 3 years.

To check your battery, you will need a computer with iBackupBot installed. How to use it to check the battery, read our previous one.

You can also go to Settings - General - Statistics - Battery Usage and pay attention to how long it lasted without recharging. Typically this time is about 12 - 24 hours.

Note the charge level when you first check your iPhone and compare it at the very end after checking it. If the battery indicator value decreases quickly, you should think about it, and if in doubt, check the device using software.

5. Connectors and buttons

Carefully inspect the connectors and check all buttons for functionality. Plug in the charging cord and headphones and test them.

6. Wi-fi and Bluetooth

At the very beginning of the test, connect your phone to Wi-Fi and do not disconnect it for 15-20 minutes. It happens that the module may overheat and Wi-Fi disappears. Use a wireless headset to test Bluetooth.

7. Navigation

Turn on navigation and find yourself on the map. If everything is ok, this process should take a few seconds. Navigation may not work without Internet access, so make sure you have it.

8. Light sensor

Make sure your iPhone screen turns off during a call and that the screen brightness automatically adjusts based on lighting conditions. You can check this by covering the top of the screen with your hand.

You can check whether auto-brightness is turned on by going to settings - screen and brightness.

9. Microphone, speaker and communication.

Call a friend who you know for sure has a good phone and ask him about the quality of communication with you. Also, during a call, turn on speakerphone to check the external speaker.

The other day I met an acquaintance who was going to the online store’s pick-up point for a new iPhone and offered to take a walk with him. I agreed with pleasure and within a few minutes we were holding a sealed box with an iPhone 7 Plus in our hands.

My friend looked at the model number, checked the activation status of the smartphone when the device was launched for the first time, and compared the serial numbers on the box and in the smartphone. After that, he briefly examined the smartphone, looked into the kit and reached into his pocket for money to pay for the order.

The entire inspection procedure took 3 minutes at most, which greatly surprised me.

I asked a friend why he didn’t want to test the connection, check the operation of Wi-Fi, camera and other modules, to which I received the following answer:

This is an iPhone, everything should work on it, and there is a warranty.

Later, my interlocutor admitted that he doesn’t particularly check all new phones, not just the iPhone, and somehow he doesn’t feel comfortable tinkering with the device under the watchful gaze of store salespeople. It’s better to come home, brew your favorite tea and slowly test the gadget, while simultaneously making the necessary settings and parameters.

What's the problem

I prefer to test new devices more thoroughly; I test most modules before paying for the purchase. There are several reasons for this:

1. An expensive purchase should be inspected carefully

It’s one thing when you buy a push-button telephone for your grandmother for fifteen hundred, and quite another when you buy a smartphone for 50 thousand or more. The device is not cheap, I want to get a working device without jambs and problems.

It’s not so scary to end up with a defective push-button handset; you can send it in for repairs or immediately buy a new one. If there are problems with the iPhone, no one will buy another one, but instead will have to be left without the device for a long time.

2. iPhone is no longer a cake

If previously Apple products were practically the standard of quality, then in recent years the situation has changed dramatically. The number of defects is off the charts, new devices are practically not tested, many buyers return their smartphones for service 3-5 days after purchase.

Colleagues from the editorial office have already encountered breakdowns of the new iPhone X three times in just the last few months (the processor burned out, Face ID broke, Apple Pay stopped working).

I agree that not all glitches appear out of the box, but why not cut off potential problems that the device might have arrived with from the factory.

3. Don't be afraid of sales pressure

Let the whole world wait until you check out the basic functions of your new device. Spit on all the salespeople and consultants around you, don’t react to sighs, eye rolls and facepalms.

Believe me, all of them no less meticulously examine even the simplest Xiaomi from AliExpress, not to mention the iPhone. Any employee of an electronics store has seen enough of defects, warranty cases, and customer problems when trying to return a device to the store.

This is your new smartphone, which was purchased with your money. No one has the right to prohibit its inspection and performance testing before purchase.

4. I haven’t paid yet, a broken iPhone is a store problem

Many people rely on the warranty and do not check the device upon purchase. It is enough to make sure that it is turned on and you can safely go to pay at the cashier.

Don’t forget, if a manufacturing defect, glitches or mistakes are discovered at home, you will have to not only return the device to the store, but also wait several weeks until it is checked, diagnosed and made a conclusion.

Until then, no one will return a penny to you or provide you with another phone. If you notice a defect during the inspection stage, employees will have to provide another device.

You may have to wait a day or two for delivery; in the worst case scenario, the seller will ask for a deposit, but this is only a small percentage of the cost of the entire device.

5. Some defects are not repaired under warranty.

The creaking of the case is a subjective thing. Some may consider slight play and creaking to be normal and simply not notice them, while others will feel pain whenever a defect appears. In a noisy service, the technician will compress the device several times, will not see much play, and will send the smartphone back to the buyer.

Not all defects can appear regularly; for example, some iPhone X users experienced periodic failure of the touch display. This model will be included in the service, the bug will not appear and it will be returned in its original state in two weeks.

Before purchasing, you can simply refuse an iPhone with such shortcomings, but after payment you will have to prove the presence of defects to the service for a long time.

What to do

Feel free to check your iPhone before paying, whether it's a retail store, a warehouse that picks up online orders, the post office, or a home delivery courier. It’s best to act as if you were buying a smartphone second-hand.

1. Check the activation status and warranty of your iPhone

To do this, you don't even need to open the box. The serial number is indicated on the back of the package; a special Apple service will help you immediately find out a lot of interesting things about its contents.

If the smartphone is really new, you will see the status of an inactivated device.

2. After opening the box, check that all accessories are included and take a good look at your iPhone.

Sometimes there may be no cable or headset in the box, or the iPhone may have signs of use. Many gray Apple equipment dealers are guilty of this.

3. When you turn it on, check if the IMEI in the iPhone and on the box match

You can do this on the start screen. Only after a successful outcome, install the SIM card and activate the gadget.

Many people forget that the box may be from a completely different device. In this case, the device could have been stolen or restored by basement craftsmen.

4. Check the basic functions of the smartphone that you use every day:

• Touch ID/Face ID– already at the initial setup stage, it is better to check the iPhone’s security module;
• Voice connection– call a friend and make sure the GSM module, microphone and speaker are working;
• wireless modules– connect to local Wi-Fi or share the Internet from your device, bring any Bluetooth gadget for testing;
• cameras– be sure to take a photo with the front and main cameras, make sure autofocus is working and there are no artifacts;
• screen– look closely at the display for signs and distortions, look at the corners of the display with black and white backgrounds (change the wallpaper);
• sensor– be sure to test the entire display area, you can create a handwritten note or drag an icon in the application removal mode (don’t forget about 3D-Touch);
• frame– some models have noticeable play, the front panel may creak when twisted, or the bottom of the screen may click when you press it;
• buttons– all physical buttons of the new iPhone should have a uniform stroke with a noticeable click, the keys should not dangle, stick or play.
• Lightning– just ask for a power outlet and check the iPhone connector, cable and charger in one fell swoop.

All this will take no more than 15-20 minutes, but will save you from potential troubles.

Sometimes it happens.

Most people are accustomed to thinking that when purchasing an iPhone from authorized Apple retailers, there can be no problems with smartphones. And this seems quite logical, since iPhones come to stores from Apple itself, having previously undergone many verification procedures and certification.

However, as it turned out in October, it is mandatory to check “white” iPhones as well. After reading about the iPhone user story in this material, you will not have any desire to leave the store without making sure of the condition of the device you are purchasing.

Background

Many people know that since the end of September, thousands of iPhones around the world have been locked after resetting or restoring to a backup. The error reports a failure during activation and prevents you from even accessing the main screen of the iPhone, not to mention normal use of the smartphone. Thousands of users ended up with “bricks” that were completely unusable, even in the form of an iPod.

In discussions of the problem situation on the forums, it turned out that the error in most cases occurs on iPhones intended for other markets (i.e., “gray”) or on refurbished iPhones. We are not talking about iPhones “like new”, officially restored by Apple, but about those repaired by folk craftsmen. The latest iPhones are most often sold at significantly reduced prices, sometimes under the guise of being officially refurbished.

The cause of the error was also determined. Apple technical support said that the iPhones subject to blocking were previously sent for recycling or restoration, but somehow did not get there. Instead, the smartphones went to private specialists (most often Chinese), who restored the iPhone on their own to new condition and sold it.

These iPhones retained the same serial number, which Apple assigned to another, officially refurbished device. So it turned out that the privately repaired iPhone became a “dead soul.” It has a serial number, but it does not belong to him, but to another iPhone, perhaps located on the other side of the planet.

Having someone else's serial number, such an iPhone simply cannot be activated. Because of this, after a complete reset or restoration to a backup copy, the device turns into a “brick”.

But there are also misfires

The reason for the blocking is clear, as are the types of iPhones that fell victim to Apple's activation system. But in all this “autumn massacre of iPhones” there are also many extremely surprising cases.

One of them is associated with a similar blocking error 0xE8000013 of the “white” iPhone 5s! A user of the 4PDA forum with the nickname koma_nik found himself in an unpleasant situation. He bought his iPhone 5s two years ago from a large network that is an authorized Apple retailer in Russia. During the entire time I used the smartphone, there were no problems with it.

What a surprise the user was when, in an attempt to speed up the operation of iOS 11.0.2 (), he completely reset the iPhone 5s to factory settings and encountered an activation error. On a “white” iPhone 5s purchased from an official Apple reseller in Russia!

A contact with Apple support made it clear only one thing - this iPhone 5s really should not have been sold in principle, not to mention the showrooms of authorized retailers. This was also indicated by a check through the Apple service, which returned the message “Unfortunately, this serial number corresponds to a product that has been replaced.”

“The phone was bought from Beeline about 2 years ago, all the documents are there, it’s like junk on the website. I chatted, then they called (St. Petersburg number) I talked for a long time, in the end they sent me to the store like go ask where they got it... in general they sent it...” - user koma_nik.

How did such an iPhone get into the store of a large retail chain? Mystery.

Hi all! Finding out information about where your iPhone was purchased by serial number is useful for several reasons. Firstly, you always have the opportunity to compare this data with your memory and make sure that you are the first owner of the device. Secondly, when buying a device in person, check that the seller is not lying and that the phone was actually bought where the person told you, for example, in America (although you should buy it there too). Well, thirdly, perhaps this information will help you when creating a check (which is necessary for).

As you can see, there are a lot of serious reasons to determine the place where the iPhone purchase was made, and there are also plenty of frivolous ones - for example, just out of curiosity. This means we need to act quickly and decisively! :)

So, we will need:

• iPhone or iPad.
• This checker site is imeidata.net

Updated! The checker site that is discussed in the article has successfully “laid down”. How much is unknown. However, perhaps at the very moment when you read this warning, it will start working again - this has already happened. If not, then you can temporarily use another service.

Preliminary information about the device opens:

• Manufacturer.
• Brand and model of the gadget.

Find the Simlock/Carrier line and click on Free Check Now.

After a short wait, much more detailed information about the iPhone opens, including:

1. Purchase Country (country where the phone was sold).
2. Purchase Date.
3. Sold To (place of purchase).
4. Carrier (supplier, but at the same time he is almost always the official seller in the country).

It’s a completely different matter - this is exactly the data about the place and date of sale that we needed!

As you can see, my iPhone was sold by a certain company Haskel LLC (although I absolutely know that I am the first owner and personally bought it from ION). However, this is an official distributor and in such cases there is no need to be alarmed.

However, if the table in this field is AT&T, and they tell you fairy tales about the fact that this is an official phone, for example, for Russia, then you should think about whether you should trust this person at all - after all, his words are a blatant deception.

iPhone smartphones are made of high-quality materials, and their software has a long period of manufacturer support - this ensures a long useful life of the devices and creates a developed secondary market for them. Buying any used Apple equipment always raises a lot of questions and is often accompanied by a huge amount of disappointment. There are often cases when customers are given partially or completely inoperative devices or conditionally high-quality Chinese replicas that are very similar in appearance to the original devices. In order to successfully purchase an iPhone 5/5s on the secondary market, it is enough to use a short set of simple rules.

So how can you check a used iPhone5/5s before buying it in person?

1. In the nearest digital electronics store, get acquainted with the appearance of the new device:

The possibility of an unscrupulous seller selling not the original device, but a Chinese replica, is very high - therefore, it is necessary to know exactly and in detail what the iPhone 5/5s looks like (a description of the distinctive features of the iPhone 5 and iPhone 5s can be found at).

2. Check the iPhone delivery package - in addition to the box itself, the presence of which is also important, the package should include:

2.1. The iPhone itself:

There are cases when the packaging that the criminals sell simply does not contain the smartphone itself, especially when sent by post. You also need to check the serial numbers on the smartphone and the box (you can find out everything about all iPhone serial numbers at).

2.2. Lightning-USB cable:

Pay attention to the condition of the Lightining-USB cable - if not used carefully, it will break down very quickly. If kinks, breaks are visible, or the white insulating layer is missing in some places, then the purchase price of the device must be slightly reduced.

2.3. EarPods headphones in a special case:

If the headphones are provided without a case, this is a good reason to reduce the purchase price. If kinks, breaks are visible, or the white insulating layer is missing in some places, then the purchase price of the device must be slightly reduced.

2.4. Charger - power adapter:

The chargers, or power adapters, supplied with the device differ depending on the country for which it is intended. If the adapter plug is different from the one accepted in your country of residence, and the seller does not offer a special adapter for it, this is a good reason to talk about a slight reduction in cost.

2.5. Documentation (welcome, warranty, instructions, apple stickers, SIM eject tool):

One of the most important elements of the documentation envelope is a special paperclip designed to remove the SIM card tray from the device. Purchasing it separately is quite problematic, and using something else can harm the case and other parts. Its absence is an excellent reason to talk about a slight reduction in the purchase price.

3. Carry out an external inspection of the device body as a whole, as well as its small elements:

3.1. External inspection of the device body:

The phone must fit tightly to any flat surface with its entire plane - this is the main check for violation of the geometry of the iPhone 5/5s, which is very often violated by careless operation. A used device may differ from a new device only in minor scratches and minor abrasions - any abnormal elements such as dents, bulges or large scratches are unacceptable and are a reason to refuse the purchase.

3.2. Identification of unskilled intervention:

If the user of the device tried to disassemble it himself, then he most likely damaged the screws located on its lower edge. They have a non-standard star-shaped cut for special screwdrivers, which are almost impossible to buy on the open market. A broken thread is a reason not only to reduce the price, but also to refuse the purchase altogether.

3.3. Detection of moisture penetration into the device:

There is a moisture indicator in the SIM card tray of the device - its inspection is necessary to make sure that the iPhone 5/5s has not been in water (to see it, you must place the phone face down). Getting moisture inside can lead to short circuits and oxidation of the boards (you can read about first aid for a device that has fallen into water). If the indicator is white, there is no reason to worry; if it is red, you should refuse to purchase the device.

4. Check the device screen:

4.1. Checking the device display for dead pixels:

There should be no colored dots on the plain background of the turned on iPhone5/5s screen - these are dead pixels that will spoil the impression of working with the device. Their presence is a reason to greatly reduce the price or refuse to purchase the device altogether.

4.2. Checking the device display sensor:

If you hold down one of the iPhone 5/5s desktop icons and try to move it to different parts of the screen, this should not cause any problems. If some parts of the display do not react to touch, there is a problem with its sensor, which is a reason to refuse to purchase the device.

4.3. Checking the screen itself for originality:

When pressing on the protective glass of the iPhone 5/5s, multi-colored stains or any other “artifacts” should not appear on the screen - their presence indicates that the display was replaced with a low-quality analogue during repair. This is a reason to refuse to purchase the device.

5. Perform a functional test of the device:

5.1. Checking the photographic modules built into the device:

If any errors appear when launching the Camera application of the iOS operating system, this indicates a malfunction of the photographic modules. Photos taken by the device cannot contain unnecessary elements - some areas should not be inorganically light or dark, this fact indicates a malfunction of the sensors. Incorrect operation is a reason to refuse to purchase the device.

5.2. Checking the device sound:

iPhone5/5s should play sound without problems through external speakers when listening to audio recordings, conversational calls during an incoming or outgoing call, as well as through headphones. If you hear extraneous noise or there is no sound as such, then you should refuse this offer.

5.3. Checking the device communication modules:

It is necessary to check the functionality of the Wi-Fi wireless communication module, for example, using another similar device with an enabled access point (you can find out how to make an access point from an iPhone or iPad). You can check the GSM module by simply calling someone - before doing this, you will need to install a SIM card in it (instructions for installing and removing SIM cards are available at). If possible, check the functionality of the Bluetooth module - this can be done by connecting to the device any accessory that supports this protocol. Any problems identified should constitute a decision to cancel the purchase.

5.4. Checking device sensors:

After setting the screen brightness settings to automatic mode, try using the iPhone 5/5s in different lighting conditions - the device should automatically change the brightness of the screen backlight adequately. If the sensors do not work, you should refuse to purchase the device.

5.5. Checking other device components:

A typical iPhone 5/5s reboot may vary in time depending on how full it is with content, but should not take more than a minute. A reboot that takes too long indicates a malfunction in the device’s memory modules and its processor. In addition, too much heating of the device should also alert you - it may indicate problems with the battery. Pressing physical buttons on the device should not be accompanied by crunching or other extraneous sounds; the device should respond to them adequately. Any deviations from the norm with any components of the device should be a reason to refuse to purchase it.

6. Check the binding of the device to the Apple ID - perform a complete reset of the device settings (you can find detailed reset instructions at):