Smartphones & Tablets | July 3, 2023
The high price of mobile phones and inflation are making the second-hand market a great option for upgrading your phone. Consumer electronics, including smartphones, are the fourth most purchased type of product in this way, according to Statista. And it’s important to be sure if it’s a good purchase.
After all, these are products that can reach four-digit prices in the case of premium models. To avoid surprises, it’s necessary to verify the condition of certain components such as buttons or cameras before acquiring a second-hand Android device.
Checking these components is also useful when buying a refurbished device, although in these cases, the store usually conducts an examination of the phone’s condition and informs the user about the result. Many companies in Spain sell second-hand technology in this format, and Amazon, for example, has revamped this section to give it more importance.
The effectiveness of the battery can diminish over time and with the charging habits it has experienced. This component has a limited lifespan, so the longer the device has been used, the more it may have deteriorated.
There are applications like Electron that conduct an examination to determine the health level of the phone’s battery. If its capacity has decreased or the app indicates that it’s in poor condition, it will have a shorter battery life than it should, and charging will have to be more frequent. This may not be a problem, depending on the intended user.
However, to obtain the longest possible battery life, it’s likely that the battery will need to be replaced at some point, with the associated cost. For example, at Phone House, a battery replacement can cost between 40 and 90 euros depending on the model.
There’s also the option of buying a portable battery to connect the phone when necessary, although it may be somewhat inconvenient for daily use. In any case, the decision lies with the buyer, but thanks to this application, all the information is available before paying for the smartphone.
The camera has become one of the areas in which manufacturers make significant efforts to differentiate themselves from the competition, and its capabilities have greatly improved over the years. However, if the component is in poor condition, the photographic experience is likely to suffer.
Most manufacturers use a special glass that protects the sensors and is resistant to scratches and damage. Corning Gorilla Glass DX is one example, capable of increasing the component’s durability while allowing more light to enter.
Nevertheless, there are occasions when the glass may deteriorate, so it’s important to closely examine both the front and rear camera modules. If the glass covering the sensor is scratched, photos taken with that specific sensor will appear blurry.
If the camera performance is not a priority, simply testing it will determine if it’s still worth buying or not. Acquiring a damaged device is not ideal, but the severity of the damage should be evaluated in relation to how each individual intends to use this component.
There are secret codes in Android that can reveal the components of some phones or tablets, as well as perform tests to determine their condition. To access them, dial *#*#197328640#*#* in the phone app. However, this doesn’t work on all models.
As an alternative, an application like Testio can perform various functionality tests on the smartphone to ensure everything is working properly. It also provides information about the device’s hardware, which is useful for assessing its internal storage and RAM capacity.
The app will verify the condition of the screen, proximity sensors, accelerometer, barometer, rotation and automatic brightness sensors, GPS, and cameras. It will also perform tests on the speakers and microphones. Some of these tests require user participation.
It’s best to ask the owner to install the application and run several of the available tests. Some components, such as the touchscreen digitizer, may have errors that aren’t easy to detect visually but can negatively affect the long-term user experience.
It’s vital that the USB Type-C port is in good condition. Otherwise, it may require repair if you want to continue using it, as in many cases, it’s the only way to charge the phone. Some models like the Samsung Galaxy S23 or the Google Pixel 7 Pro also support wireless charging.
Connecting it to a portable battery with a good cable can easily check for any irregularities when plugged in. If it doesn’t detect charging, the connector is loose, or it only charges when moved to a certain position, it’s a problem.
To verify the functionality of the headphone jack, it’s important to have headphones that work properly. Simply connect them and play some music. If the sound is not clear when the cable is slightly rotated without disconnecting it, or if sound only comes from one side, it’s likely in poor condition.
The volume buttons and power button are pressed daily, so it’s essential to ensure they respond properly when activated and don’t get stuck or register phantom presses. Finally, the SIM tray should be in good condition to properly read SIM cards, so it should be removed and checked for any damage.
The IMEI is the unique identification number of each smartphone, consisting of 15 digits, and it’s possible to determine if it’s a stolen phone. When a phone is stolen or lost and reported, it is marked as a stolen device and can even be blocked in some countries to prevent its use.
To find this code, simply go to Settings and look within the information section, where it will appear alongside the model and Android version. Alternatively, dial *#06# in the dialer app to display a window with the IMEI numbers for each SIM slot.
Once you have the number, websites like imei24 can check it against a database to determine if it’s a smartphone that has been reported as stolen. Buying a stolen product is a crime punishable under the Penal Code and can lead to a prison sentence of 6 months to 2 years if it’s determined that the buyer was aware of it.
