Planning to buy a used iPhone? Here are 5 things to keep in mind

Verify the iPhone serial number

Besides matching the serial number or IMEI of the iPhone with the invoice and the retail box, make sure to verify the serial number on Apple’s official website. This will give all the details related to the iPhone, including its activation date and warranty period. Make sure that the serial number on the iPhone matches the details available on the official website.

Make a thorough physical inspection

Only the device owner is currently capable of triggering the iPhone bug. (Express Photo)

If you are buying a second-hand iPhone, it is best to physically inspect the device before closing the deal. Thoroughly check the iPhone for any scratches or damages, and if they are in excess, you have another reason to bargain and get it at a much lower price. While it is common to have a few scratches on the screen, the rest of the iPhone should be intact.

Verify if it has a genuine display

The display and battery are the most serviceable parts of an iPhone. The best possible way to check if the display of an iPhone has been tampered with is to check its TrueTone capability, available from iPhone 7 series. If the TrueTone feature is disabled, then there is an issue with the display or it has a third-party screen.

Also, make sure the Face ID (available on iPhone X and newer models) works. If the iPhone fails to register Face ID, then there could be an issue with the display or the Face ID system itself.

Verify if it has a genuine battery

Apple iPhone 15 comes with a 48MP primary camera. (Express Photo)

Just like the display, make sure that the iPhone has a genuine battery. While it is acceptable to have lower battery health on a used iPhone, if the iPhone fails to show any battery health-related status, then it probably has a duplicate battery. If the battery has been officially replaced, the iPhone will also mention the same on the battery settings menu. Try to get an iPhone which has around 80 per cent battery health, as anything less than that will significantly impact the battery life of the device.

Verify the camera system

Most modern iPhones will have at least two cameras at the back, while the Pro iPhones will have three. Open the camera app and make sure all the camera functions are working as expected, try to capture photos and record videos to ensure the cameras on the used iPhone are intact.

These are some aspects to keep an eye on while getting a used iPhone. The device having a duplicate battery or screen does not mean you should avoid buying it, it just means you can further lower the price.