Last Updated on March 9, 2019 by Jay
How to Buy a Used or Refurbished iPhone 7 or 7 Plus
Many people are willing to stand in line for hours to buy the newest gadgets. They will go as far as hiring other people to wait for them. Not only is buying a new phone each year expensive but extremely wasteful. Luckily, there are those who will opt for a used or reconditioned smartphone.
A used iPhone might appall kids these days. However, by buying a refurbished phone, you’re saving yourself from another great investment and you’re saving Mother Nature at the same time.
Before searching the places where you can purchase one of these phones, you should know that there is always a risk of getting disappointed. So, to eliminate your frustration prior to even scrolling for Apple refurbished iPhones, make sure you go thoroughly through our buyer’s guide.
In this guide, you will find out why buying a used iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is a good idea, how much they cost and where to buy them. Lastly, you’ll find out what to look for in a used iPhone.
Read on to acquire the phone that suits your needs.
Why Buy a Used or Refurbished iPhone 7 or 7 Plus?
As mentioned, buying a used or refurbished iPhone 7 or 7 Plus is a great choice for those who would like to save some money while getting a smartphone. It is also beneficial for producing less waste. Nevertheless, there are three more reasons why you should definitely consider buying a used phone.
#1 The phone’s value
Unlike other smartphones on the market, iPhones are still one of the rare phones that have the longest lifespan. They also offer a plethora of possibilities, such as linking your iPhone to your Macbook. Moreover, certain apps are only available on iPhones, which makes them perfect for specific activities.
What proves our first point is the fact that numerous people wait until they purchase their first iPhone because they know they’ll get value for their money. Still, if you spend some time checking the market for a refurbished iPhone, you might find an awesome phone for a great deal.
#2 Not having to sign a contract
The brand new phone comes with a hefty price. On top of that, you’ll probably have to sign a contract that binds you to use the operator’s services for a year or more. Even worse, you could accidentally drop your phone and the cost of repair will probably go as high as the phone’s initial price.
If you’re tired of signing contracts or breaking your phones, just buy a used iPhone. The times of signing useless contracts have long gone.
#3 The variety of options
The last reason to choose a refurbished iPhone is the sea of options you have once you buy it. Cell phone carrier shops will push the newest versions of phones only because they benefit from it. You don’t need the newest version since the version before it had exactly the same features.
What’s more, the latest smartphone could potentially be worse than the previous one. Choosing between a bunch of earlier models will give you the freedom to pick what works best for you while having all the features you need.
The Difference Between a Used and Refurbished Phone
All the talk about used or refurbished devices might confuse the general public, so let’s see what’s the difference between the two adjectives.
A used phone is essentially a second-hand phone. It means another person was using it prior to selling it. The trick to buying a used phone is to check every important part of the phone – possible scratches on the screen, battery life or faulty features which are caused by misuse.
On the other hand, a refurbished phone is a phone that has gone through specific tests to make sure it meets the brand’s standards. It is a phone that someone used and gave for repair or a phone that a company recycled for an upsell. Refurbished phones sometimes come with a warranty and you can get them directly from the company of origin, but we’ll talk about that later.
How Much Will You Spend on a Refurbished iPhone 7 or 7 Plus
The prices of current iPhone models vary, so you’ll find different prices at different places. There’s an even bigger problem when you want to acquire a refurbished smartphone due to the owner’s subjective price. Nonetheless, the amount you will cash out is almost identical for the same iPhone model.
The latest prices on the used phone market change with each new version, but here are the prices for the two models we talked about. For example, a used or refurbished iPhone 7 starts at around $200 while a used iPhone 7 Plus starts at $250.
Where to Buy a Used or Refurbished iPhone?
The online marketplace is the best place to buy a used iPhone. However, you must take every information you read with a grain of salt. Following are the websites you can visit if your next purchase is going to be a refurbished iPhone.
Swappa.com
Swappa is one of the specialized websites that sells refurbished iPhones and similar devices and handsets. The advantage of using Swappa to purchase your used iPhone is not having to worry about what you might be getting. Since the team specializes in a particular brand, rest assured that they will give you the best offer at a great price.
On Swappa, you can look for the device by the provider. Other sites, for example, they will list the iPhones as unlocked and later you’ll have to pay for the unlocking to be able to work with your carrier. Luckily, when Swappa lists the phones as unlocked, they will, indeed, be unlocked once you purchase them. Plus, the prices of smartphones from one brand are more competitive than on other markets and you’ll get them for much less.
If you look for an iPhone that’s refurbished and unlocked, make sure to visit Swappa. Not only will they check each device prior to listing it, but the price will be fair for each iPhone version. Save yourself from worrying whether you’ll get an unlocked iPhone or not and visit Swappa.
Amazon
The second best place to buy used iPhone is Amazon. The eCommerce giant that accounts for more than half of all purchases online, has, among other things, a variety of refurbished phones available at competitive prices. The number of sellers there means you’ll find prices that differ for each model and depend on the state of the iPhone.
For example, the cost of an unlocked refurbished iPhone 7 varies from $147 to $469, while you can buy an unlocked used iPhone 7 Plus between for between $264 and $469. However, it is advised not to look for the cheapest one since Amazon is not a specialized store. Also, make sure you always check the seller’s ratings and selling history. If you put a little effort in your search, you will certainly get lucky.
In case you forget to double check what you’re buying, you could end up with a faulty device. Luckily for you, Amazon has a 30-day return policy for most of its products. So, even if you pick the wrong seller, you’re protected by Amazon policies. Still, follow our advice to avoid potential issues with your new phone.
Lastly, for those who need their phone as soon as possible, make sure to use Amazon Prime for the fastest delivery.
Craigslist
Craigslist is another website where you can find anything that’s refurbished for a fraction of the original cost. Consider this site if you didn’t find the perfect phone on the previous online marketplaces. It is similar to eBay, however, you have to be very careful when looking for an iPhone from these websites.
You will find excellent sellers here. Unfortunately, there are certain bad sellers as well. In case you find an offer that you can’t refuse, think twice. You won’t get a good used iPhone 7 or 7 Plus for $100. There are most likely some defects you don’t know of.
Also, if you notice the seller is overly pushy and wants to sell the device right now, you can presume that he’s trying to scam you. The only way to know what you’re getting is to have a long chat with the previou owner or even meet in person and check if the iPhone works as it should.
Apple
One of the newest options at Apple is to buy an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus directly from their website. The company sells refurbished phones with new batteries, outer shells and iPhone accessories. These phones are unlocked and fixed by Apple and come with a warranty.
The only downside to buying directly from the company is the fact that you won’t really save a lot if you miss on the right deal. You can save anywhere from $70 to $220, depending on the model and the time of the purchase.
Is Social Media a Good Idea?
Buying a used iPhone 7 from social media sites is something you should avoid. Facebook, for instance, is not intended for the purchase of used devices. You won’t have any kind of protection if you’re buying a smartphone from a guy whose name is John Doe. Imagine you wire them the money and you get an empty package. Even if it was cheaper than on most websites, a phone worth $50 is an extremely defective phone or a pure scam. Remember that $50 is still your money that you, unfortunately, spent on nothing.
Next time you want to buy a used or a refurbished iPhone, visit the websites we mentioned earlier. Social media is simply not worth the risk.
What Is the Best Time to Buy Used iPhones?
Given the fact that Apple releases new models every September, try searching for a used iPhone between August and October. That’s when most people are selling their used goods. At that time, the prices will fluctuate on a daily basis, but doing your homework and researching multiple outlets can pay off.
What to Look for in Apple Refurbished iPhone
The essential step in buying Apple Refurbished iPhone is checking if everything works as it should. As you already know, looking for scratches across the screen or the bumps on the shell don’t do it justice. Moreover, you should consider asking the right questions prior to purchasing the phone. Here are the steps to take before putting the iPhone into the cart.
Ask for the phone’s IMEI
You should avoid negotiating the final price before obtaining an IMEI. It’s a unique 15-digit code assigned to each mobile phone and used as an identification number. You can unlock the phone to use it with any other network.
IMEI allows you to choose the network provider you like. So, if you want to avoid the high tariffs, make sure you first ask for the IMEI number. If the seller refuses to give you the IMEI, it’s best to avoid buying from them.
2. The phone has to be unlocked
If you’re looking for an iPhone that’s refurbished and unlocked, the next step is to make sure it’s unlocked. Sure, you can unlock it later on, but if the ad says it is an unlocked iPhone, why would you pay extra for something that isn’t there?
What you need is a proof from the seller. Ask them to send you screenshots or a video showing the phone works on the sim cards on more different networks. In case you decide to buy the iPhone from someone you know or make the transaction in person, remember to take your SIM card with you to check if it works.
For those who hate to spend their time looking for an unlocked iPhone, Swappa.com is the right choice. Their list of unlocked phones is one click away and you can rest assured you’ll be getting an unlocked phone.
3. Know how to unlock it
Knowing how to unlock the iPhone you bought will come in handy only if you decided to take a leap of faith and bought a locked phone. You can learn online about how to unlock your iPhone. It will take some time and you’ll probably have to pay for it.
You will have to call the provider and ask to have your phone unlocked. Prepare your IMEI because they might ask for it. In case you choose to call a business that will unlock the phone, make sure they will do the job as they should to avoid losing your money.
Original networks might charge differently, so make a little research before calling them. Once you call, ask how much the service will cost, how long you should wait and whom you can call in case of a setback.
4. Know how to unlock the activation lock
The last step is to unlock the activation lock if you bought a refurbished iPhone off eBay or Craigslist. The activation lock stops anyone from reactivating the phone without the owner’s permission. Software linked to the activation lock is called “Find My iPhone” and serves as protection once the phone gets lost or stolen.
If there’s an active activation lock on the phone after you bought it, it means the phone was either stolen or the previous owner forgot to turn it off. You will need to contact the seller or find out how to unlock the locked iPhone. Nevertheless, we strongly advise you to look for a used or refurbished phones on reputable websites to prevent getting tricked into buying a faulty device.
Conclusion
Whether you’re looking to purchase a used or refurbished iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, always make sure to go through our guide. It is best to avoid offers that sound too good to be true, as well as refrain from the shady websites.
Lastly, double-check the specifications and ask for proof of the phone’s condition. If you’re suspicious about the certain model, consult a specialist who will assist you in the purchase.
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