Are Second-hand Mobile Phones Prices THAT Much Cheaper?

You may be looking to equip your employees with mobile, or you may simply be looking to upgrade without paying large sums for the latest smartphone. In either case, second hand mobile phone prices can be enticing.“If you give the process of buying a used phone or tablet due diligence, things can still go wrong but there are many steps you can take to lower the likelihood of an incident as well as ensure there are still a few options for recourse in the event you do run into trouble,” explains Andrew Grush of Android Authority.Buying a used smartphone certainly comes with risk. But if you know what to check prior to purchase, you will find devices that work at optimal levels while meeting your mobile needs.

Second Hand Phones May Be Cheaper than Two Year Mobile Provider Contracts

Second hand mobile phone prices offer value in a variety of ways. Depending on your preference, you can save up to $200 on a used smartphone.For instance, the full retail price of an iPhone 6 is about $650. A used iPhone 6 will cost you around $510, according to a report by Gazelle published in Time.Full retail price for a Galaxy S5 is around $650 as well. However, a used one can cost you as little as $299. Second hand mobile phone prices may also be cheaper than signing a two year mobile provider contract.“About one-fifth of Gazelle’s used phone customers were buying their first-ever smartphone often to avoid two-year contracts,” says Jack Linshi of Time.

Do Your Research to Get the Best Bang for Your Buck

If you want second hand mobile phone prices that offer value in the long run, you will need to do a bit of due diligence. Research is essential to getting the best deal, and it allows you to see the variety of used mobile devices available.

Tips for getting the best second hand mobile phone prices. . .

• Ensure the used mobile device is unlocked. Otherwise it is simply a paperweight.
• If searching on eBay, check “Buy It Now” prices to understand the sellers market.
• Actually read the listings with laser-like focus. There may be a big difference in price from one used smartphone to the next. This often depends on the condition of the device.
• Ask the seller about accessories. If it comes with little to none, use this as leverage to bring the price down.
• Check prices of new phones with similar specifications and compare. If it is a small difference in cost, maybe a new phone is money better spent.

“A $30 to $50 discount might not be worth the risk when buying a preowned $650 device, but saving $400 on an older but still perfectly functional iPhone seems like a bargain,” suggests Amy Fontinelle of Bankrate. “Prices are constantly changing as supply fluctuates; track them for a few weeks and you might snag a deal.”

Inspect Used Smartphones and Run Vital Mobile Diagnostics

If you are buying a mobile phone online, it can be challenging to know that you are getting the best value. One benefit of buying online, however, is that many used phone sellers have profiles and ratings.“Seller ratings and detailed phone descriptions are also helpful when purchasing a phone online, as is the ability to ask the seller questions,” says Kelsey Sheehy of NerdWallet.For example, an eBay seller will certainly not risk their perfect seller rating by listing bad mobile devices. And making used phone purchases on reputable platforms like Swappa and Gazelle is another buyer best practice.

Questions to ask regardless of second hand mobile phone prices are . . .

• Get the phone’s ESN or IMEI. These are serial numbers you can use to verify the phone is not lost or stolen. You can also verify if the device has an outstanding balance, which will also make it an expensive paperweight.
• Is the phone currently under contract? If it is, you will not be able to activate it until the contract duration has ended.
• Were there any water incidents? The phone may operate perfectly now, but the devices insides may be slowly eroding from water damage.
• Inspect everything you can. If you are meeting a buyer, check all the ports, open apps, use a SIM card to make a call or send a text, and take a few photos too. Running a phone diagnostic test will also give you a good look into the devices overall health.

Running diagnostic tests via PhoneCheck is also recommended. A diagnostic test will ensure hardware and software elements are operating at optimal levels. You can also check battery, GPS, dead pixels, sensors, Bluetooth connectivity, etc.Second hand mobile phone prices can certainly be cheaper. However, if you don’t know what to look for, cheaper may become more expensive. You want to get the most of your used phone purchase while getting the absolute most of your mobile experience.