What to check when buying a smartphone with it: from ad to dead pixels
Devices / / December 19, 2019
What are the pros and cons of buying b / a Device
The new device is expensive, find it with the same hand in perfect condition can be a third cheaper. And with some insignificant flaws - even cheaper. Buying b / y - the ability to afford more if you are strapped for cash. For example, instead of the flagship dull "middling".
Cons - you do not know how to use the device if he has a problem. And you will not be able to check whether the seller tells the truth.
Why do people sell b / a device
There are many options:
- Want something new,
- urgently need money,
- they were presented with something unnecessary,
- bought, but the device did not like (and pass the second-hand equipment in the store is impossible).
And yet it happens that your smartphone a serious problem, and he should do more to get rid of, get as much money as possible.
How to choose a reliable advertisement
potential scam real "reject" at the stage of the search options.
Do not consider proposals without pictures and descriptions
If one or two standard pictures hanging from google and signature "all the details on the phone" - is not an option. Reputable dealer will spend five minutes and make your smartphone photos from different angles, as well as write about all important moments - when it was purchased, there is a guarantee, is there any flaws in appearance and other problems, what is the reason sale. However, all is not well in the epistolary genre. If you have any questions - please call or email the ad to the author.
Do not get fooled by the very low prices
Normally, if the smartphone is in perfect condition is worth a third cheaper than in the store. Not ideal - two times cheaper. But the "off" several times should alert: you try to sell a fake or bad gadget.
The seller may say "urgently need money, so this price." Do not rush: if a person has real problems, then he would rather go to the nearest pawn shop, it becomes a thing to sell on your ad.
Do not buy broken devices
More for ridiculous amounts may be offered the broken device. For example, with a broken screen or broken camera. Or simply "ceased to be included." Author ads usually says he does not want to bother with repairs, already bought a new phone, and you will repair any service center for a couple of thousand, and you will use in your pleasure. It is likely this will happen. But could it be otherwise: the device fails completely, will be considered non-repairable or repair will cost a pretty penny. If you do not repair the smartphone specialist and avoid options. And in general the current super-slim smartphones collapsible poorly suited for repair: repair the one, then another break.
Do not settle for an advance payment, do not buy in another city
Check the device you need personally.
"Breakdown" of the author
Many sites make it possible to view all the ads from seller. Pay attention to them: if a person sells dozens of b / y of tubes, it middleman. It can not be responsible for what sells, its purpose - to be welded. Such proposals should be avoided.
And also try to hammer into a search engine that seller number. Of course, if he is a crook, every time will use "clean" SIM card. But if a person is "real", you'll find even some information about him - trust more. However, do not worry, if you do not find that many people are afraid spam and try not to shine numbers in the network.
How to get in touch with the seller
So, you have chosen an interesting ad and want to make an appointment. What to ask on the phone? The date and place of purchase, there is a guarantee, whether the phone problems. You will most likely not an expert on the definition lies voice, but still listen - something suddenly napryazhot.
Be sure to ask to send you the phone's IMEI (unique number). There are information base (first, second), Where you can learn warranties, make sure the device has not been stolen, not a fake. However, the absence of a smartphone in a database of stolen does not mean 100% of its "purity" - keep this in mind.
where to meet
The best option - the seller of the house. If a person is willing to invite you to her, then he has nothing to hide and he is not afraid that you will return to the claims. It can be assumed that the fraudster will remove housing for rent cheating gullible citizens, but it is a rarity.
However, not always convenient to ask for. Or maybe you do not want to go to the other end of town. Office, shopping center, cafe - also a good option. On the street or in the subway is better not to meet. And other people's cars do not sit down.
What to bring
To check the smartphone, you need cables, external battery, SIM card suitable format, headset and memory card (if supported).
What to check
IMEI
Dial any phone * # 06 # to find its unique number. If the seller survived box, Check the IMEI with her data. So you make sure that the packaging is one of the handset that you want to sell. However, fraudsters can sell the stolen phone, stick on the "Left" box printed on the product's label.
Warranty
I recommend buying the device with it only if they have a formal guarantee. Let it remains on a couple of months, it is at least some kind of insurance in case of problems. The seller must be a warranty card with the details of the company, where he bought a smartphone, and a check. iPhone can take in for repair without documents, as warranty data is stored in a single database, you can check here.
Appearance
Your goal - to make sure that the device is not damaged. Inspect it from all sides, look for scratchDents, ask the seller about their origin. Smartphones often change the broken screen and put low-quality Chinese counterparts. Not all are able to identify differences in the eye, but it is real. It is best to look at the original purchase, to be able to compare.
Rotate the device in your hand, squeeze the body. Please note, if squeaks, backlash is. Ponazhimayte all keys. Look to the bolts - for them it is clear whether they dealt with a screwdriver.
Determine the moisture is difficult, but in some models, such as iPhone, there is specific indicators. Although keep in mind: a model of the latest generations are protected against ingress of water.
Screen
If the display cover glass or film - detach them, they can hide defects. Check that the sensor works precisely whether all parts of the screen. To do this, try to drag and drop icons, print text on the keyboard.
You can check matrix for the presence of "broken" pixels. Up to five pieces - the norm, more - marriage. To determine the burned-out points on the Android-based phone has a program. On the iPhone, you can open a completely black image (for example, your browser) and look to see if the burnt pixel lights up.
Price: Free
connectors
Connect the charging and headset, check that everything is working properly, whether the connectors are loosened. If the outlet is not available at the site, will help meet external battery. Install the SIM card and the memory card. Make sure that they are determined.
camera
Check the main and the front camera. It is best to take a photo of a white wall or sheet of paper - there should be no stains in the frame (their appearance indicates damage to the module).
Battery
During a brief meeting unrealistic to make sure that battery in a good condition. In any case, you have to understand that her life is significantly reduced in the first year of use of the tube. At the beginning of checking is enabled in your display of charge as a percentage. If five or ten minutes, the device will sit more than 5%, the battery is very bad.
Removable battery in the smartphone now a rarity, but if you buy such an option, remove the battery and inspect. It should be flat. Swollen battery - it is dangerous. Determine the battery can also be swollen by a convex back cover suspicious thin phone or white stripes on the screen.
Sound
Go to Settings ringtones, listen sound at full volume through the speaker or headphones. Call someone and make sure that the quality of transmission at the level of speech. If there is no one to call, dial 112 - there is an answering machine. A microphone quality can be checked using the voice recorder.
GPS, wireless networks
Turn on Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, check the visibility of devices and networks. Run the application "Maps" and determine your position. In the room to do this, go to the window.
sensors
Most smartphones are equipped with proximity sensors and lighting. The first helps to turn off the screen when you hold the phone to your ear during the conversation. II automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen: you can just close your finger to see the result (the auto-brightness option must be enabled in the settings).
Also make sure that the smart phone changes the screen orientation when rotating. For example, in the browser, or when viewing a photo. However, this option must also be enabled in the settings.
If your phone is equipped with a fingerprint reader, add your own and test recognition.
Soft
The test normally runs a smartphone should not be heated strongly, "brake", reboot. Established applications must work quickly.
All is well, and you're ready to buy? Make full reset. Even if the owner assures us that it is already done. The system can request a password. If the seller has his "forgotten", refuses to buy - you are trying to sell stolen. If everything is okay, then register the phone on its own account.
An important moment for those who buy the iPhone: Apple has a strong system of protection. If the phone is marked as stolen, nobody will be able to re-activate it. So buy the device only after authorize in their own account iCloud and successfully activate the "Find iPhone» option.
conclusion
Do not be afraid to seem meticulous. And even if the dealer rolls her eyes and hinted that he was tired of your check. You do not get a second chance to make sure that the phone works without problems.
see also
- How to choose a smartphone →
- 20 apps to help save money on purchases →
- How to find out the IP-address, tablet or smartphone →