Buying a second-hand phone may not be the most popular choice for all, however, it’s a thing for many. Especially, when someone wants a high-end phone but at a much lower rate, a used phone becomes the ultimate solution. It also could be down to sleep and the premium design of phones launched in the last few years that buying a used phone could be appealing. They add value and satisfaction to the buyers. So, here are the key 12 things that you should consider before buying a second-hand phone.
First, why would you buy a second-hand phone?
As discussed earlier, second-hand phone brings personal satisfaction on cost and the value they add. Also, in times of financial strain, you can get a phone that costs a lot at the time of its release. In Nepal, a high-end phone from Apple and Samsung could cost just below Rs 2 lakh which is not within the reach of most. A major reason that we have to bear with exorbitantly high prices for the best flagship smartphones is that they are not made in Nepal.
So is the case for many feature-packed upper-mid-range lineups. If Nepal assembled or manufactured phones, the costs would have naturally come down. Therefore, a used phone in a healthy condition is just like a first-hand phone in terms of usage and feel. Here are a few good reasons you may consider buying a used phone:
- Save money: No need to explain much here. By buying a second-hand phone, you can expect to get a phone at up to 50% or more cheaper price. The resale value of the iPhone is slightly higher than Android but still, you save a hell lot of money by opting for a used phone. You can even get a flagship device at 50% of its original price after around two years.
- A convenient gift: Giving a second-hand phone as a gift to someone could not be a popular idea but it’s not that bad. Getting a phone from someone after some years of use is not far different from giving someone a used phone after buying it. In fact, if you are gifting a premium device, it’s a convenient option when you are not going to fork out a huge stash of cash.
- You help reduce e-waste: By not buying a new phone, you are helping the environment. You may not care or consider it, but e-waste is a massive problem in the world. A survey in 2022 highlighted that over 5 billion phones were dumped in 2022. So, buying a second-hand handset means you are helping by not preventing the older yet usable devices from ending up in a landfill in some years.
- For peace of mind: Price is often the determining factor when buying a brand-new phone. However, if you buy a second-hand phone, the price is already too low. You get to use all the features of the phone at a much lower cost. So, it brings peace of mind to you. Additionally, if you ever lose it, likely you won’t bother much because the price is already too low.
Check out: Best 5G Phones in 2024 in Nepal | Price and Specs |
Where to buy second-hand phones in Nepal?
You can buy a second-hand phone in Nepal from online sites such as Hamrobazaar.com, Daraz Like New, social media groups, pages, authorized mobile stores, individuals, etc. But we stress that you stay alert regarding the authenticity of the product and even more during payment. We discuss these below in detail.
Check out: Top 5 Online Shopping Sites in Nepal
The most important things to consider before buying a second-hand phone in Nepal
Let’s cut to the chase now! Below, you find things you need to be careful about while buying a used phone. It’s an ultimate guide to buying a second-hand phone in Nepal:
1. Get Purchase bills:
First and foremost, you need to ensure that the device you are buying whether from an online source or at a store is legally purchased. For this, you may want to demand a valid purchase receipt. It is important because if a device is stolen, you may end up in some legal process and the situation will turn rather embarrassing and even upsetting.
Seeking a bill also helps determine whether the device was purchased, found, or stolen. Additionally, if the device came through a grey market, MDMS might blacklist it. So, you need to check for the official documents to see if its purchase was legal. Well, the MDMS blocking is not that strict now but as per the rule the regulator can always initiate it.
2. Only buy an unlocked phone
In case you are buying an imported phone, do check if it’s unlocked. Carrier lock is a common practice in other countries, and you may end up not being able to use your network on the phone. Besides, check for 4G/5G band support to ensure you get reliable connectivity on the phone wherever you go.
3. Inspect the physical parts of the device
Always perform a thorough inspection of the phone’s physical parts before buying a particular phone. Look for scratches, breakage, and condition of buttons, and cameras. Better, you check the device under bright sunlight to clearly see all the minor scratches, bends, and other glitches.
Probably you will see some signs of usage on a used phone but you should avoid phones with a bent frame or major cracks. Determining that all the physical parts and peripherals of the phones are working has to be one of the most important things to consider when buying a second-hand phone in Nepal.
4. Are you getting all the accessories?
If you are buying from an online source, find out what accessories you are getting. A device usually comes with a charger, plastic cover, earphones, etc. Determine if you get it all from the seller. It ultimately helps you in negotiating the final price of the device. Samsung has already started shipping even midrange phones without a charger and the practice is pervasive but most mid-rangers do come with all the standard contents.
While checking out our comprehensive list on buying a second-hand phone, also check out our list of the best phone under Rs 30,000 in Nepal that you can buy.
5. Check the device’s IMEI and serial number
If you can get the original box the device was shipped with, find the IMEI number on it and match it with the device. A device’s IMEI and serial number are extremely important. Remember that they can be changed or tweaked on rooted Android phones and that might have been done if it’s stolen. So having a phone in its original state is always far more preferable.
- Open the dialer on the phone.
- Dial *#06#.
- You will get your phone’s IMEI number.
Note: If you are using an eSIM, you will also notice a MEID number while running the check.
6. Check the Phone’s Warranty
Another thing to look for before buying a second-hand phone is to check its remaining warranty period. It helps you verify when the phone was bought and find its actual duration of use. It is always better that you buy the phone when the warranty period is still valid.
You can find out the phone’s warranty duration with its IMEI on the manufacturer’s website. Brands such as Oppo, Vivo, Xiaomi, and Realme allow you to check warranty online. Follow the links below to find warranty information for iPhones and other Android brands:
- iPhone/iPad: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/
- 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
7. Inspect the Phone’s Display Panel
Another crucial check would be the phone’s display. Find out if the device’s display is original or replaced. Also see for any cracks or lines, and dead pixels.
The display is an extremely important unit of a phone. It costs around 20-50% of a phone’s original price. If the display of the phone you are buying is not original, it could also affect the usage of the phone. And if a cheap panel is used, it might break again.
Ensure that the entire screen responds to the touches. You can also go to Developer’s Settings and show touches to check on Android. Or you can use the Display Tester app to check for the touch response.
8. Test the Ports, SIM Card, and other cables
Ensuring that every port is working fine on the phone is a good indicator. Charge the phone and see if it’s charging normally. Also, see for the charging speed which could help you find any issues. A slow charging means something could be an issue with the charger or the port.
Insert a SIM card and make a call. Similarly, test a microSD card port, transfer files to and fro, and see if each is working properly. Don’t miss: How to Save SIM Card From Damage for Their Long Lifetime
9. Test Camera, Mic, and Speakers
We also highly recommend that you test all the functions of the device before buying a second-hand phone. For example, you should check if the phone’s mic, speaker, vibration, network functions, etc. are working properly. Network is of a paramount of importance since you require the phone to make calls.
There are several specific codes for phone brands that are used for testing many features in a phone. While you can get those online, you can also find out the top Android secret USSD MMI code and their function
10. See if network and connectivity are working
You should also check if the phone’s cellular functions, WiFi, and other connectivity features are working fine. We suggest that you separately dedicate yourself to checking whether 2G, 3G, 4G, VolTE, WiFi, Bluetooth, and other signals show up and work on the phone. You can use apps such as Phone Doctor Plus or Test Your Android to check all the vitals of the phone such as:
- Vibration
- Speakers and Earpiece
- Microphone
- Front and rear cameras
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, and other network settings
- Display check
- Button check
- Proximity, Ambient Light, and Compass sensor
Do read: How to reset network settings on your smartphone?
11. Find out the Battery’s health
Mobile phones’ batteries are made of Lithium-ion, and they lose their capacity over time. Each battery has a runtime cycle and after each complete battery cycle, its life-span lowers. It could potentially be an issue for an old phone. If you are buying an iPhone, check for its battery health, and for Android, find out how old the device is to have a guestimate of its battery strain. In case possible, always take a battery for a few hours to see how fast it charges and drains.
If you are buying a used iPhone, go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to check the Maximum Capacity percentage.
Check out:
12. If you are buying a refurbished phone
In case the phone you are buying is a refurbished one, then, all of the above things must be considered. It’s possible that components have been compromised or replaced with older ones, so you never know. Do check for its display, scratches, dents, and cracks, and inspect cellular and other wireless functions and ensure they are all in working condition. But you also need to guarantee that it’s purchased officially to avoid any legal implications.
Check out: How to improve mobile network signal on your phone?
Stores and even online sites sell refurbished phones at attractive prices but without first-hand observation and try, don’t give in to their affordability.
So, these are our top 12 most important things to consider while buying a second-hand phone in Nepal. Do suggest more if you have in the comment section below.
