Everyone has their opinion — subjective — regarding second-hand vs new phones. Are you buying a more recent phone because you want one or because of the resale value? In terms of quality and performance factors, this has all been definitively answered in favour of new phones. However, many people still prefer second-hand phones for various reasons.

How to Know if You Should Buy a Second-hand Phone?

There’s a lot of debate on whether it’s better to buy a used phone or get a new one. Here’s how you may determine if you should go with either option:

• If your phone is less than two years old and there are no signs of damage, it’s in good condition and can be sold as is.
• If your phone is over two years old and there are signs of wear and tear, it may not be worth selling as is. Instead, you may consider buying it refurbished or using a trade-in offer from your carrier.

How to Determine if Someone Is Selling You a Broken Phone?

When shopping for a new phone, it’s important to be aware of the signs that someone is selling you a broken one. Here are four tips to help you identify whether a phone is in working condition or not:

• Is the battery dead, or does it not power on? Are the buttons working?
• Check if the screen and body are scratched or dented. Is there any water damage?
• Can you make and receive calls and texts? Can you open apps?
• Do all the bells and whistles work, such as Bluetooth connectivity and GPS tracking?

What to Look for on a Second-hand Phone?

When it’s about buying a new or used phone, there are a few key things to take into consideration. Here are four things to look for on a second-hand phone.

• Operating System:

If you’re looking for an older phone that still uses an operating system such as Android OS or iOS, you’ll want to ensure the phone you’re purchasing has been updated and is up to date. Newer phones use newer operating systems such as Android Marshmallow and iOS 10.

• Processor:

Phones with dedicated processors, such as Qualcomm and Apple’s A-series chips, are more powerful than phones with integrated processors. So if speed and performance are essential to you, consider buying a phone with a dedicated processor.

• Camera:

Many people think that phones with better cameras are worth the extra money. However, there aren’t actually that many differences between models when it comes to camera quality. It’s essential to look at the size of the camera lens and how well it performs in low light conditions. Plus, reviews can be a good guide for which model to buy.

• Battery Life:

Another important factor to consider is battery life. Extensive battery life is crucial if you’re travelling or live in an area with spotty cell service. Fortunately, most of the big four have pretty long battery lives.

If possible, I recommend researching the plan offered for your carrier and phone model. If that doesn’t work out for you, consider upgrading to a new model of better quality or another service provider. If you are up to buying a secondhand iPhone and need to check Demo mobile phones, OzMobiles is the best place for you.