Buying a used mobile phone instead of spending your money on a brand new nap is pulling a straw from an environmental point of view.
Since mobile phones nowadays are products of an increasingly successful development, most people actually do very well even with an older model. The differences between older and newer smartphones are so small that it is simply not necessary to update to a new model as soon as it is released.
Benefits of buying a used cell phone from a retailer
There is a fairly large market for the sale of used mobile phones. It is not only something that private individuals benefit from, but also companies and mobile operators have noticed that it pays to offer their customers a selection of used products.
If you choose to buy a used phone from a company instead of buying from a private individual, you get the great advantage that the phone will be reset to factory settings and that all content is deleted when you receive the phone. The dealer has also checked the condition of the phone and valued it accordingly. There is also no risk that the phone is tied to a specific operator or that it cannot be unlocked because it is locked to the previous user's login credentials.
The absolute best thing about buying a used phone via a mobile operator or any other company is that you as a consumer have the right to complain about the phone if it does not match the description. You therefore have the right to use the Consumer Purchase Act. However, the right of complaint only applies to original defects. You can therefore not complain about a phone for such things that are usually counted as normal wear and tear, which means that a used phone can have a few more defects than a brand new one.
When you buy a used phone from a dealer, you will often have access to information about the condition of the company that the phone is in. It is also common for them to inform you if there is any damage. What is in the description of the phone is also what is the basis for what you can complain about, so it is good to carefully read how the seller assesses the condition of the phone and what errors it may have. The company has an obligation to be honest with what products they sell, and if you do not receive such a phone as the company claimed, you have the right to complain. Also keep in mind that the right of complaint applies from the date when you buy the phone from the dealer even though it is used.
Buying a used mobile phone from a private individual
If you buy a telephone from a private individual, you as the buyer are not entitled to any protection via the Consumer Purchase Act. Instead, it is the agreement you have entered into with the seller that controls what rights you have. It is therefore important that the phone is checked before the purchase is made, and that the buyer requests information about the condition of the phone in writing.
If you can prove that the seller has sold you a product that is worse than promised, you as a buyer can complain, especially in cases where the mobile is in significantly worse condition than what could be expected in relation to the price you have paid. However, it is difficult to win a dispute against a private person, and many find it complicated to pursue a case in the district court. You can not contact ARN if you have bought a phone privately, which you can do if you have bought it from a company.
Which mobiles are most advantageous to buy used?
The phones that can be found used at the best price are usually those that belong to slightly older generations. The newer a phone is, the higher the resale price will be.
If you want to find a used phone for as low a price as possible, look for phones that are no longer sold new. Both Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 7 were in demand a number of years ago when they were released, but since there are now several new models in the same series, these particular models are no longer sold. This means that you who are chasing a new phone will find it relatively easy to find a used mobile of one of the models at a good price.
Risk factors when buying a used mobile phone
The hardware and battery in older phones may be in new condition, even though it may not be customary for older phones. However, there are other factors that affect how long it will work to use an already used phone. This is where the manufacturers' operating systems and software come into play. Once a manufacturer has released a number of new models, it is not uncommon for them to stop releasing software updates for their older models. This means that you may not have access to all the features and apps you want after a while of use. If the operating system is not updated, there is also a greater risk that the phone will be hacked as there may be gaps in the security system.
As a rule, it can be expected that security updates will be released for around three to five years after a mobile is launched, but there are no guidelines that govern how long a manufacturer is obliged to release updates. So far, Apple has been releasing updates for longer than those making Android phones. If you have found a phone you are interested in but are unsure of updates, you can check the manufacturer's website to see if they are still releasing updates for that particular phone. Expect that the older the phone, the less time you will be able to update the operating system.
Get in the habit of checking the capacity of the battery
When you buy a used phone, the battery may have lost capacity due to being charged and discharged a number of times. When you buy a phone, it is therefore good to check how good the battery health is. On iPhone, you will find information about the battery under settings and battery health. If you are looking at an Android mobile, you may instead need to download an app to get information about how the battery is doing. The small thing about the apps is that you need to charge and unplug the phone a couple of times before it can provide clear information about battery health, but it's still worth it.
