Used phones can slash hundreds or even thousands off the price of a flagship device, but the savings come with risks. Between phones that mysteriously stop working days after purchase, devices locked to carriers you don’t use, and outright scams where nothing shows up at all, buying secondhand feels like navigating a minefield.

I’ve purchased every phone I’ve owned for the past several years on the used market without a single bad experience, and it’s not luck — it’s knowing exactly what to look for before hitting the buy button. Whether you’re hunting for the best used smartphones 2025 has to offer or trying to save money on last year’s flagship, here’s how to score a legitimate deal on a used phone

1. Stick to reputable sites

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Where you shop matters more than anything else. Try and stick to these three places: Swappa, eBay, and Best Buy’s open-box section. That’s it. They’re sites with established track records, buyer protection policies, and actual consequences for sellers who pull scams.

Look for marketplaces that have been around for years with substantial review histories across multiple sites like Trustpilot and Google Reviews. Make sure they offer warranties — legitimate sellers typically provide 12 months of coverage.

If a platform has no accountability system or the seller won’t offer any warranty, move on.

2. Focus on condition ratings

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Ignore anything below “excellent” or “mint” condition unless you’re comfortable with problems. Every scratch, dent, or worn component is a potential failure point you’re inheriting from someone else. Different platforms use different grading systems, so learn what they mean.

Higher grades typically mean floor models, quick returns from buyer’s remorse, or phones someone babied in a case for a few months. The closer to new condition, the less you’re gambling on unknown previous usage patterns like chronic overcharging or exposure to extreme temperatures.

3. Run the IMEI number

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This step is mandatory, not optional. Every phone has an IMEI number that carriers use to track stolen devices. Dial #06# on any phone to pull it up instantly.

Before you buy, get this number from the seller and run it through an IMEI checker service — there are several free ones online. What you’re checking for is whether the phone’s been reported lost or stolen. Some scammers will sell you a working phone, then report it stolen the next day to collect insurance money, leaving you with a device that gets blacklisted across all carriers.

Legitimate sellers won’t hesitate to provide the IMEI upfront. If they refuse or make excuses, that’s your signal to walk away immediately.

4. Examine battery health and damage indicators

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Battery condition tells you a lot about how the phone was treated. Check the battery health percentage in your phone’s settings — anything 90% or above is solid, 80-89% is acceptable, and below 80% means you’re looking at a battery replacement soon.

While you’re inspecting the phone, look closely at all the ports for corrosion, which signals water damage. Even minor water exposure can cause internal components to degrade over time.

Check if the back of the phone is bulging at all, which means the battery is swelling — that’s a safety hazard you don’t want. For iPhones specifically, confirm the previous owner removed their iCloud account completely. An iCloud-locked iPhone is a paperweight.

5. Scrutinize photos and seller stories

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Photos tell you what condition ratings sometimes don’t. Zoom in on every image the seller provides and look for scratches, scuffs, dents, or discoloration you’d regret later. Read the listing description carefully — how long did they own it? Why are they selling? Does their explanation make sense with what you see in the photos?

Someone claiming they used a phone for six weeks and the photos show a pristine device with all original accessories is believable. Vague descriptions like “used but works fine” with blurry photos are red flags.

For refurbished devices, ask whether they used manufacturer parts or cheaper third-party components. Third-party batteries lose charge faster and third-party screens often have worse touch response.

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