Buying a Used iPhone in 2024: ULTIMATE Guide!

Used iPhone Buying Guide (2024) - Avoid Getting Ripped Off! | Things to Check Before Buying a Used iPhone

If you plan on buying a used iPhone in 2024, you need to watch this video first. We cover several tips and tricks that are essential to ensuring that you get the best deal possible, while avoiding scams and getting ripped off. We focus predominately on eBay and iPhones throughout this video, but this works for any smartphone.

Chapters:
0:00 Intro
0:36 Know Where to Look
3:16 Know the Going Price
6:16 Look for These Important Things in the Photos
8:56 Use this trick to steal great deals from everyone else
11:16 History repeats itself
13:00 Check these important settings
15:06 If meeting someone IRL..
16:41 Conclusion

Have you purchased a used iPhone recently? What was your experience like?

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If you watched this video and made it this deep into the description, I greatly appreciate you & would love to connect!

If you have any questions, give me a shout on social media & I'll answer any question(s) you may have.

Have a fantastic day & I'll see you in the next video!

[BrandonButch]

Finally back! I was sick for the past week, so it feels great to be back to making videos. Hope you guys are having a great 2022 so far :)

[woodcider]

I agree about the packaging. As a reseller I always keep all the packaging. I take good care of my electronics and usually keep the condition as new (case/screen protector straight out the box).

[TheBigBossJr]

To add to the reviewing the seller check there sold history make sure they’re not inflating the ratio by selling cheap or unrelated items. This is more important for high value things like a iPhone 13.

[maryamshah]

I totally agree. Never get scammed for money.

[jeffhale]

Thanks for sharing: very helpful. Blessings on your day.

[bobross]

That iPhone 6 on the table is giving me so much Nostalgia right now. Had mine since 2014 all the way until late 2021.
Funnily enough, I literally never had any so-called "Bendgate" issues with it if you can believe that.
But the screen did manage to crack for me though. Now it wasn't actually deep enough to where it actually afftected or "distorted" the display. So the display was still still completely fine. But it was still a pretty large crack; shallow, yes; but large.

Anyway, I got the 13 Pro Max in November of 2021 with a screen protector and case and all. Extremely happy with it so far. Love it.
As for the iPhone 6, I managed to get the screen repaired fully and I passed it over to my Dad as he isn't as tech savvy as me. Compared to his old phone, this is definitely a win for him and a win for me as well

[Mly]

Brandon, thanks for such an amazing video, you just never cease to amaze.

[bethcoussou]

Glad you’re feeling better! I bought my first used iPhone last year. It was a refurbished one directly from Apple. I have not had any issues. I have the same 1-year warranty and I could’ve purchased Apple Care if I had wanted it.

[aimanuddinabdwahab]

I got scammed twice in 2019, buying a Samsung phhone off Facebook marketplace, I was so pissed cause I lost nearly RM 1000 ( 238.64 dollar), I've realize it was stupid of me and learn my lesson, and just 2 days ago, I bought my first secondhand Iphone 11 Pro Max 256gb (96% Battery Health) for RM 2750 ( 660 Dollar), I was pleased enough, that every thing u describe in this video, I did my part, so this video is really helpful to those who are looking for the best secondhand phone that you're planning to

[jarcohen]

Thanks Brandon I don’t really buy used but I like to know how to best go about it if I ever to chose to go that route ur the best have a great day

[hbryant]

The video that I have been waiting for ! Never trusted EBay or Facebook before, great job !

[BradleyVanTreese]

I think this is all great advice (especially the psychological aspects Brandon mentioned) with the exception of the screen protector comment. DO NOT buy an iPhone with the screen protector in place. This is a way for sellers to hide minor scratches and other imperfections while photographing the device. Many people believe this is an indicator of the level of care the phone has experienced… possibly. But it can also indicate the opposite, at least as far as the screen goes. Before buying, request a photo of the screen without the protector. If the seller has indeed taken great care of the phone, they should have no issue with providing this.

[Nathansmithphotography]

Brandon, well done video, with great points. However, there are a couple of things that I would add. I was surprised you didn’t mention Goophones, which are fake iPhones that unfortunately and recently are amazingly good copies. These can be purchased for like $200 but then there are unscrupulous sellers who turn around and sell for example a 12 promax for $500-$600 but what you’re getting is a fake. I actually met with the seller a couple years ago about getting an 11 Pro Max and it didn’t have the correct magnifications for the camera lenses and in fact only one of the three lenses really works and it was just using digital zoom for example to do the 2X of the telephoto lens. For this reason I would almost never buy a sealed “brand new“ iPhone from a private party because it can be a fake. I personally did buy a sealed 11 promax from someone in California, but before meeting I told him that some people sell fakes, and I wanted to open it and test it before I gave him the money and if he was OK with that I would meet with him. The phone turned out to be fine.

Another thing that is harder to test for is the fact that if a seller has replaced the glass with third-party glass sometimes things like touch ID will not work. I had this experience buying a phone that was in “perfect condition“, but when I had the battery replaced under Apple‘s $29 program the authorized service center told me that the glass had been replaced and that is why touch ID wouldn’t work. I had to pay $150 at an Apple store to have this done, so my original “great price“ on the phone ended up being a bit higher than if I had just bought a complete factory iPhone.

Finally, if you meet someone, check to make sure the memory is what they claim, check to make sure find my iPhone is not on, and check the touch or face ID as well as the cameras to make sure they work. I bought an XS Max years ago and when I met the seller it was raining so we sat in my car and I tested the camera but later found out there was some kind of moisture inside the main camera lens because all photographs taken with it looked a bit fogged. I ended up selling it to someone and was very upfront about the problem, but had to sell it for almost $200 less than the going used price.

[yasserhot]

God bless you and your family for this tips 🙏👍🏻❤️

[jayjudd]

Ho Lee Chit . Great hints on buying. When will the 13’s come down now that the 14 are out.

[LeandroMtchel]

swappa is the best to be honest, no broken iphones there, not even cracked screen, and the security is top

[joelane]

Hi Brandon, In your opinion, what’s a good price for a used iPhone 12 in great condition? Maybe 164 gig. Thanks for your videos..I have a iPhone 6 s plus now but looking for a newer one. And I just watched your other video about iPhone 12 being a good choice in 2023! Peace!

[Tom-znpx]

Hey Brandon could you make a video on the iPod touch 7th generation in 2022? And an iPad buying guide need to upgrade from my 5th gen lol

[MichaelOhYT]

I have used Swappa to buy both my tablet and iPhone (11 Pro Max) and had good experience both times👍

[jackieb.]

Thank you. Buying an iPhone 11. So helpful.