Insider tips for buying used phones safely

It’s been years since the last time I bought a new phone. I buy mine used and haven’t had any bad luck yet. Here’s what I look for to make sure every purchase is legitimate.

Stick to reputable sites

I bought my last phone from Swappa. Before that? I bought two on eBay. And before that, I purchased an open box device from Best Buy. All three have a reputation to uphold and processes are in place to combat scams. Although you face more risk shopping on eBay than at Best Buy, it’s best to share your address in someone’s DMs on Reddit.

While these three sites aren’t the only options available, they are the only ones I personally consider. I can usually find the phones I want there, and when I’m ready to shop, I keep an eye on the model I have in mind until the prices drop to the level I’m willing to pay. I’m writing these words on a 512GB Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 6 that I purchased on Swappa when the price dropped below $1,000. That was significantly less than the $2,000 this phone cost when it was new a few months ago. In general, if you are patient and look for deals, you will find that foldable phones are not as expensive as you might think.

Only buy phones in mint or excellent condition

Personally, I won’t even consider old phones with aging batteries or scratched screens. The more a phone has been used, the more risk you take in placing the order. You never know who took steps to preserve their phone’s battery life and who simply charged theirs to 100% overnight, every night. There is no way to know in advance what this device has been through and what condition its internal components are in.

An open box device on eBay is usually new or barely used. In the case of Best Buy, open box simply means used and can be in any condition. There you look for phones described as “excellent”. On Swappa, the best condition is “mint”.

A phone can be in very good condition for a variety of reasons. Maybe it was a floor model or a phone that someone returned after quickly changing their mind. Or, someone may have used a device for six months but kept it protected in a case. Personally, I prefer to buy open box deals where I know a device hasn’t been used yet, but I will consider “like new” or “like new” for devices that haven’t been out for a long time.

This is not an absolute rule. I see a reconditioned model in excellent condition, I’ll take a look if the price is right. My main point is that buying used doesn’t mean walking away with someone’s old phone. It’s easy to find something that looks like new.

Look for photos and description that confirm condition

Since my last phone wasn’t an open offer, I paid even more attention to the photos than I otherwise would. I wanted to be sure there were no scratches or scuffs that could irritate me down the line. I find that sellers on Swappa tend to do a decent job providing photos.

On Swappa and eBay I make sure to check the description. How do I know my phone has only been used for a few months? Well, the description said so. The previous owner had only used this phone for a month or two and decided that a book-shaped foldable phone just wasn’t for him. Based on the accessories they offered next to the phone, I believed them. The included third-party MagSafe case also helped explain the phone’s condition. In general, if a seller takes the time to provide context that matches the photo, there’s a good chance you can take them seriously.

Choose a phone that has many years of updates ahead

I love reviewing original Android phones like the Minimal Phone and the Unihertz Titan 2. In the past, niche phones were the ones that excited me the most. But now I’m mainly looking for a phone that I know will have many years of software support.

This is the problem plaguing Moto phones, which was my preferred recommendation based on their price and build quality. But while other companies started offering many years of software updates, Moto lagged behind. Likewise, while I like the idea of ​​a gaming phone like the ASUS ROG Phone 9, I’m not investing that much money into a device that will only benefit from a few years of updates.

That’s why I say it’s best to buy an Apple, Samsung or Google phone if you want to use a phone for as long as possible. Each of these companies offers seven years or more of updates. Since my Galaxy Z Fold 6 was released in 2024, I can continue to use this phone until 2031 (assuming the hardware lasts that long – so far so good).

Make sure it is an unlocked phone

If you’re used to buying your phone directly from a carrier, here’s something you may not have had to think about before. If you buy a phone outright, you will be able to take it to the carrier of your choice, but you should make sure the phone is not locked to any carrier before purchasing. I prefer to buy phones that were unlocked when new rather than phones that were previously carrier locked. In general, just make sure the listing says unlocked in the title, and you’re probably fine.

I use a foldable phone, as does my wife. We didn’t pay anywhere near MSRP for either phone. I’m so comfortable buying used phones that I almost completely ignore the sale price of a new phone when I read reviews. If you wait a few months, they will be available much cheaper on the second-hand market. And if you’re worried about their resistance, there’s nothing stopping you from taking out phone insurance afterwards. With all the money you’ve saved, you’ll still have the advantage.