Smartphones have become a necessity in the current data-driven world with varied uses such as accessing the internet, making payments, and educational purposes. Today’s smartphones come with unique and sleek designs, prolonged battery life, and powerful specifications. However, most of these smartphones are expensive. A great way to get a great brand that fits your budget is to look for a refurbished smartphone. Buying a refurbished phone will save you money and ensure you get a quality phone.
Below are some of the crucial things you need to consider when buying a refurbished phone to ensure you get value for your money.
Latest operating software
Unless you want a phone for your kids or emergency reasons, you should ensure you get a phone with the latest operating software, whether it is Android or iOS. The latest operating software ensures better performance and security. Most apps, especially for iOS, are usually optimized for the latest operating systems, so your favorite apps may not run on your phone if you purchase an outdated operating system. Before purchasing a refurbished phone, ensure it has the latest operating system and all the apps you use run work on the phone.
Ensure the carrier is not locked
If you are buying refurbished mobile phones online and the seller is an overseas seller, always check the item description to avoid surprises. Look for carrier unlocked or no carrier unlocked. If you cannot find it in the description, contact the seller and if they can’t confirm whether or not the carrier is unlocked, find another seller. It is frustrating and time-consuming to remove the carrier lock.
Battery life
Batteries cannot be refurbished. Battery performance reduces over time, but even a four-year-old phone can still have a good battery life depending on the quality. Ask about the battery life when buying a phone to ensure it still has a strong charge. It is also essential to check the warranty if you find out the battery life is not as they say.
Check if the smartphone is stolen.
When buying phones from professional sellers, this will not be an issue. It is vital to ensure you have assurance from the seller that the phones have valid IMEIs. IMEI is a unique number that identifies a smartphone. If the phone is stolen, the IME will be registered as stolen. It is vital to perform an IMEI check when buying from an individual.
Check warranty
Professional sellers will often provide you with a warranty. As a buyer, you should expect a minimum of about 3 months. Most suppliers always offer six months with an option for an extended warranty. Check what the warranty covers. It will generally cover the hardware and software in the smartphone, excluding accidental damage or software issues caused by the user.
Conclusion
When buying refurbished mobile phones online, it is crucial to perform functionality tests, check carrier lock, and battery life. As a result, it is crucial to purchase a refurbished phone from a reputable supplier. Professional suppliers perform IMEI checks and extensive functionality checks to give you guaranteed quality.
