What to Check Before Buying a Used Mobile Phone in Singapore?
It is possible to find great deals on used mobile phones in Singapore. The option of purchasing a used mobile phone not only helps you save thousands of dollars, but it also contributes a small but significant part to saving the environment. E-waste’s side effects are horrible and it is a growing concern in both developed and developing countries as most of it is left untreated and given very little importance.
In spite of this, you should be aware that purchasing a used mobile phone may prove to be a challenging endeavour, due to the plethora of counterfeit and faulty models available on the market.
As a buyer, you are looking for a deal with good value for money and that is worth your money. How do you do that? Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your used mobile phone in Singapore.
An Overview on how to Check for Used Mobile Phone Issues:
- Look for Physical Damage to the Phone
- Ask if the Phone has been Repaired
- Test all Internal Components for Functionality
- Check for the Phone’s Age and Warranty
- Monitor the Battery Percentage
1. Look for Physical Damage to the Phone
It is best to perform your testing in bright daylight in order to be able to identify any damages or defects on the secondhand mobile phone quickly. Face-to-face meetings are also the most effective way to purchase a used mobile phone, as you will be able to inspect the second-hand mobile phone on-the-spot for any problems before making your purchase decision.
It is normal for second-hand phones to display minor signs of usage, but any anomalies such as a bent frame or parts that are misplaced should be avoided during the purchase process. You should peel off all stickers and skins that appear on the back of your used mobile phone to make sure there are no scratches or dents hidden behind them.
Also, remove any tempered glass that is not transparent, and inspect the screen for cracks and scratches. It is important to ensure the camera lens is not scratched, dented, or cracked. If there are even the smallest scratches on the lens of a camera, the quality of the picture can be adversely affected, especially in low light conditions.
2. Ask if the Phone has been Repaired
It is extremely important to remember this when purchasing a used mobile phone. You should always ask the seller if the pre-loved phone has undergone any repairs, and even if they say no, you should inspect the edge where the frame and display are connected. In the event that a phone screen has been replaced in an unprofessional manner, you will be able to identify it easily. Generally, secondhand phones that have undergone a lot of repairs are not recommended as they are likely to last a short time.
3. Test all Internal Components for Functionality
When it comes to buying a used mobile phone in good condition, patience is the key. When you receive the pre-loved phone, make sure the following functions are working properly.
- Volume and power controls.
- Bring your power bank. Connect the cable and check if the device is charging.
- Front and rear cameras. Test every function including the flashlight, zoom settings, wide camera , ultra wide camera.
- Fingerprint sensors and Face detection sensors.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth (you can switch on the Hotspot on your pre-loved phone to test the Wi-Fi.
- Play a youtube video for 1-2mins. Check that the video and audio works fine.
- Swipe the pre-loved phone across all corners to test its touch sensitivity.
- Proximity sensor by making calls and ambient light sensor by switching on automatic brightness and covering the pre-loved phone’s top.
- The pre-loved phone’s bottom-firing speaker.
- Insist on performing a factory reset right before you purchase the device to ensure all Gmail accounts, Apple ID and all other accounts are properly erased from the pre-loved phone.
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4. Check for the Phone’s Age and Warranty
Personally, I have encountered problems with used mobile phone sellers lying about the date of purchase of the secondhand phone. They might also claim that it is under warranty when it isn’t. That’s why it’s so important to ask for the purchase receipt. You can check the oldness of a used mobile phone by visiting imei.info if the seller does not have a receipt but does have its original box and accessories.
Simply go to the website, enter the phone’s IMEI number. Under free checks, select the option with the manufacturer’s name and SN followed by Warranty. The website will then display the actual age of the device after ten seconds. In this way, you can easily determine the device’s age.
Companies like Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, Realme, etc., let you check the warranty online. For OnePlus phones, you can check the OnePlus Care app. Links are given below:
- Oppo- https://support.oppo.com/in/warranty-check/
- Vivo- https://www.vivo.com/in/support/IMEI
- Xiaomi- https://www.mi.com/global/verify/#/en/tab/imei
- Realme- https://www.realme.com/in/support/phonecheck
- Huawei/ Honor- https://consumer.huawei.com/in/support/warranty-query/
- OnePlus- OnePlus Care app
- Apple- https://checkcoverage.apple.com/
The used mobile phone should have the same IMEI number as on the original box and invoice. To check the IMEI, open the dialer and type *#06#.
5. Monitor the Battery Percentage
Smartphones typically have lithium-ion batteries that last for two years, depending on their usage. It’s a good idea to check battery percentages if the secondhand phone is more than a year old.
Android doesn’t have a battery health option like the iPhone. Therefore, it is very important to check before you buy a used Android mobile phone. It is possible to do this by using the secondhand phone for about five to ten minutes and observing whether the battery is discharging rapidly. Should this be the case, you might have to spend a little extra on a new battery. I would not recommend purchasing a used mobile phone with a nearly dead battery. Consider explaining the issue to the seller and negotiating the price for the battery replacement if the phone is in excellent condition.
The iPhone’s battery health can be checked by going to Settings > Battery > Battery Heath and check the Maximum Capacity percentage. Anything above 80% is good to go.
Advice From Mister Mobile: Tips to Keep in Mind While Buying Used Mobile Phone from a Third-party in Singapore
- You should examine the image and the price posted by the seller. In most scams, scammers use images from the internet and offer prices that are too good to be true to lure people in. Find listings with images that show the actual product.
- Never pay before checking the phone, no matter how enticing the deal is.
- Use in-platform payment methods instead of transferring directly to the seller account.
- Always keep your conversations in the e-commerce platform.
- Is there something different from what the seller has promised or what the listing specifies? Take a step back.
- For convenience and to establish proof that you bought the phone from that person, prefer making a digital payment.
Used Mobile Phones in Singapore: Stay Protected with Mister Mobile!
Next time you’re buying a used mobile phone, keep the above tips in mind. Mister Mobile, on the other hand, provides a more seamless, transparent, and trustworthy experience.
You can shop with confidence when you buy from Mister Mobile, an ISO Certified and CaseTrust Accredited seller in Singapore. The quality and authenticity of all my phones are guaranteed by a thorough inspection. You will also be informed of the history of the phone and its issues (if any).
In addition, my phones come with a 30-day warranty and I provide full after-sales support for my used mobile phones. Therefore, there is no need to worry. With Mister Mobile, you can buy a used phone quickly and with no worries!
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