Buying a new flagship phone from a big-name brand is expensive. The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 could cost you upwards of $1,000 or more, especially if you want the 5G variant.
Fortunately, most users can get away with a phone that’s one or two generations behind. They’re plenty powerful enough and often cost a fraction of the price of something brand new.
Buying a good used phone is an excellent way to save money and still end up with a better device. It’s not just about price, though; here are some factors to help you get the most out of your purchase. Follow these steps and you’ll have a device and experience that you love.
When to buy
The best time to buy a used phone is just after its successor arrives. This is when the early adopters dump their handset as they look to pick up the newest and fanciest model.
In most cases phones are sold in an annual cycle, but it could vary by a month or so. The Samsung Galaxy S line is often introduced in the spring while its stylus-centric Galaxy Note sibling arrives in the fall. LG tends to split its models in a similar manner.
Google historically releases its Pixel phones in the fall but it did also introduce the low-cost Pixel 3A (READ OUR REVIEW) in the middle of the year. Apple, for its part, debuts its phones in the fall.
If you can time your purchase around the release of a key phone, it could give you something that’s not all that old.
Research the price
If you have a particular phone in mind, do a little bit of homework. Find out what others are selling the phone for and get a feel for its price.
SEE: Selling a phone? Do these things first
Browse places like Swappa, eBay, Glyde, Gazelle, and Amazon will give you an understanding of what the current value is for a phone. If you’re checking eBay, look for items sold as that’s more indicative.
Pay particular attention to specifications like the memory and storage. Condition also matters here, too. A scuffed backside might not matter when you put your phone in a protective case. It could also drop the price a fair amount.
Understand the phone
It doesn’t matter how good a price is for something if it doesn’t work. The most important factor in purchasing a new handset is ensuring that it will work with your current, or prospective carrier. Note whether it is locked to a particular service provider or if it’s unlocked.
SEE: Reference guide to US carrier bands and networks
If you’re using AT&T, T-Mobile, or one of their respective brands, you should be fine with an unlocked phone. Verizon and Sprint subscribers need to pay closer attention to make sure it’s either universally unlocked, or paired to the network.
Software
When possible, try to avoid older phones that run software that’s a couple of generations behind. You might find the experience lacking and slow. More importantly, this could mean the phone may no longer receive security updates and patches.
Battery life
Does your new phone have a removable battery? If not, consider that the battery life might not be as good as it was when the device was new. Lithium-ion batteries tend to lose a very small bit of capacity every day. Should the new phone be two years old you could be looking at less than desirable battery life. Or, you might have to rely on an external battery more often.
What else is offered?
Are you just buying a phone or are you getting other items with it? The original charger, for instance, could add a little bit of value. Many Android phones offer fast charging and come with a compatible charger.
Does your prospective phone have a screen protector on it? Is there a protective case or two thrown in the bundle? These might save you a few bucks down the road or at least buy you some time.
If your seller has the original box, that’s a good indication that you aren’t dealing with a stolen phone.
Condition is key
What are you willing to tolerate? Are you okay with a few scrapes and scratches? Do you mind a dent or two? The more you’re content to overlook, the lower the price goes.
On the other hand, don’t bother with phones with chips and cracks in the glass unless you know what you’re up against. It might be $100-$200 to completely replace the glass. At that rate you may as well look for something that has its screen.
SEE: Upgrading your phone? Here’s what to do if you’re selling the old one
If you’re buying from a friend or co-worker, you probably have a sense for how the phone has been treated. A stranger on the internet? Proceed with caution and make sure you’re protected with a good return policy.
Know your rights
If you’re buying a phone from Swappa, eBay, or an online retailer, get a sense for your return policy. What happens if the phone you’re sent doesn’t match up to the description? Can you get your money back?
Most physical damage is easy to spot as soon as you receive your phone, but it can take some time to identify malfunctioning hardware or problematic software.
Make a note of the final day you’re allowed to return your phone and exercise the option if you need to.
Look your phone over
You’ve pulled the trigger and made the purchase. Congratulations, you have a new (to you) phone!
As soon as you get your phone, start evaluating it. Look it over, check for the imperfections that were, or were not, called out in the sale. Is there anything here that surprises you?
SEE: Selling a phone? Do these things first
Check for water damage. On older phones, or those with removable batteries, you can look for a red stripe on the battery. If it’s blurred and shows evidence of water, that could pose problems in the long run. Newer models can show water damage through the nano-SIM card slot.
If you find that the phone is not what you expected, move quickly to contact the buyer. The sooner you deal with any problems, or at least call attention to them, the better your chances of a positive resolution.