iPhone are great devices, but they can be expensive. The more recent iPhones are not affordable and if you want to get one without breaking the bank, you can opt for second-hand iPhones.
Used iPhones are popular in Nigeria. However, one must be careful, there are many fake iPhones in the market. Moreover, an iPhone you’re interested in buying may be stolen or damaged. So you have to be extra careful. But worry not; in this article, we’ll be covering tips that will guide you in making the right choice.
1. Turn the iPhone on
This is obvious, we know, but very important. Make sure the phone powers on and it takes you to the lockscreen or Hello screen.
The seller may tell you the battery is dead; don’t fall for it. Insist that the iPhone should be turned on, and if it doesn’t turn on, it is better not to buy.
Also, check if the activation lock is still enabled. This will enable you know if it was stolen or not. If the iPhone boots to a lock screen, then it is possible it was stolen. Insist that the seller gets the iPhone activated by entering the passcode.
2. Check for any Damage
It is important to know exactly what you’re buying, so check it. Inspect the iPhone for any visible damage. You should remove any cover around it to have a proper look.
Make sure you check for scratches, and cracks around the display. Place the iPhone on a flat surface facing down to know if a force has impacted the chassis to bend. If you notice this, you may want to desist from buying the iPhone.
Also check the camera department for any scratches or damage on the lens.
Inspect for any spills that was made on the phone. Open the SIM compartment, and observe if there are red or pink liquid which could be caused by water spills.
3. Confirm that the iPhone Works with Other SIM Cards
Many of the used iPhones in Nigeria are usually brought from overseas, because of this, they might have been made for a particular network provider or carrier over there. This is why you must ask and confirm if the iPhone is locked to a specific network.
You’ll find it difficult to use an iPhone except it is unlocked. Make sure the iPhone is unlocked and works with you SIM before you buy.
4. Check the Battery’s Health
Because it is a used iPhone, the battery won’t hold 100% of its original capacity. You’ll need to check for two important parameters: Maximum Capacity and Performance Capability. Check these by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Health.
If the maximum capacity is above 90%, that’s good enough, but if it is less, you’ll have to be charging frequently. The performance capacity should be reported as Peak Performance Capacity, and anything aside this means it’s time to replace the battery.
5. Test the iPhone
You don’t want to pay for an iphone with your hard-earned money only to discover that it has some issues with a part you regularly use like the camera. This is why you should test the iPhone. There are some major parts you should test:
Go along with an Apple Charger and test if the iPhone charges. Also try to go with any Bluetooth device you have and test.
Does Speaker and Microphone work? Try to record something. You can use Apple built-in Memos app. Then, play the recording. Check the earpiece volume also. The best way to do this is by making a phone call via FaceTime.
Check the others buttons too. Inspect the mute button to know if it works well. Also, have a look at the volume rockers because you’ll need it to force-restart your phone at some other times.
Check the cameras by using the camera app. Any image you take should not be grainy and should be relatively clear.
You can also go along with a friend that uses the same iPhone you want to buy to run some test on it since he is already familiar with the phone.
Rounding Up…
You don’t have to part with all your money for a brand new iPhone, you can get a decent used one and still enjoy it. But your due diligence is necessary in getting a good one. With this article, you should be able to make a great choice. We hope you found this guide helpful? If you did, kindly leave a comment and don’t forget to share…