Find out how to assess the condition of a reconditioned iPhone
Many of you ask us if there is a method to assess the condition of a used and reconditioned iphone so that you can buy without taking risks.
Ideally you should dismantle the device, connect every single piece of hardware to a special analysis system to accurately check its condition.
But we are aware that not everyone has the necessary tools and technical knowledge and for this reason we thought to write a small guide that can help iPhone buyers in choosing the right device.
Outward appearance of the iPhone
By analyzing the outside of the smartphone we will be able to understand if it has suffered major shocks or if, on the contrary, it has been used with care.
We recommend that you analyze the body of your iphone using a magnifying glass that allows you to perceive even the smallest defect.
If the analysis is negative, and therefore you do not find any scrapings, cracks or dents, you can be reasonably sure that the phone has been used with care.
On the other hand, if the analysis is positive, i.e. you find signs of wear and tear, you should take a few more seconds to assess the causes:
Dents
If it is an iphone model with a metal case, dents may occur as a result of bumps or falls. The presence of dents, in the metal part, can hide damage to the hardware and even in this case we recommend to rely on a specialized technician for the evaluation.
Scrapers
Scrapers are the most common signs of wear on used smartphones, but it is good to distinguish between "surface scrapers" and "intense scrapers". In the first case we can reasonably say that they are normal signs of use and that in 90% of cases they are perfectly functional and treated with care by the previous owners. In case of intense scrapers, it is good to evaluate their depth and extension. The depth of the scrapers tells us how "strong" was the impact suffered by the device, while the extension tells us if it was an accidental episode or poor care by the previous owner.
Cracks
If your device has cracks on the edges, your smartphone has probably suffered severe shocks that may have affected its proper functioning and you should have your smartphone analyzed by a qualified technician.
Delicate Hardware Components
All iPhones are built to withstand shocks, but among the various hardware components there are some more susceptible to malfunction. Our investigation will serve to know the state of the most delicate hardware components and most exposed to the risk of breakage.
Home button and vibration
The hardware components that manage the home button and the vibration are very delicate, connected and exposed, due to their internal positioning, to suffer the consequences of shocks and falls.
For iPhones equipped with a home button, it is important to make sure that when you press it, it does not make any noise, while for iPhones without a home button, it is always good to check the vibration works correctly.
If you do not find any abnormalities, you can proceed to the next step.
Focusing
This is probably the most delicate and breakable hardware component.
Activate the camera in all its modes (Video, Photo, Panoramic etc...etc...) and make sure it handles both images and videos well, paying particular attention to "focusing".
If both photos and videos are sharp you can continue the investigation.
Electrical Dispersion
The point most exposed to this kind of malfunction is definitely the port for the "lightning" connection (for charging the iphone).
This is a fairly common condition, due to incorrect use of the port itself.
To test the iphone we recommend that you charge it and touch the metal frame. If you feel the electrical voltage, in 90% of cases the connection between the lightning port and the battery has been damaged. In the remaining 10% of cases it may be due to the fact that the device has been immersed in a liquid.
Speakers
The iPhone cases are very good but they are still microscopic components and therefore very delicate.
Suffice it to say that the "speakers" have no guarantee to understand the delicacy.
To evaluate them it will be enough to start a music track downloaded from iTunes and gradually turn up the volume up to the maximum (for a short time).
If the sound is crystal clear and you don't hear any disturbance, you can continue the analysis.
Battery life
If you are considering buying a refurbished iphone, battery life is definitely a determining factor in completing your purchase.
The analysis in this case is very simple because online you can find all the specifications about the battery life of every single reconditioned iPhone model and you just need to make a simple comparison.
Conclusions
Likenewiphone's advice to potential purchasers of reconditioned iPhones is to buy the smartphone used by reputable companies, and ask for a minimum warranty of 12 months and battery replacement.
Have a good purchase!
