Is buying a used iPhone worth it?

[user_xyz]

Hello, I've been looking for a while to buy an iPhone 6s Plus and I have been debating on whether or not I want to buy it off Swappa used or the Apple store new. So many people have suggested buying it off Swappa, but I have my concerns on how long the phone will last compared to a new iPhone bought in the Apple store. A new iPhone will have a brand new battery and I'm scared that if I buy this iPhone off of Swappa, someone will sell me a phone that dies super fast or something.

Would you...

1.) Buy a pre owned iPhone 6s Plus 64 GB from Swappa for around $500

or

2.) Buy a brand new iPhone 6s Plus 32 GB for about $700 after taxes

Since it's an Iphone, does my concerns on the life of the phone even matter? Overall, I just want to get a good value for my money since I've been saving up for it for a while.

Thanks for your suggestions!

Buy new with warranty.
[automerge]1571299672[/automerge]

So, so far most people are saying no and that I should get a new one from Swappa or the apple store

Apple store or Walmart.

 

[phillymacuser]

I have always purchased phones new. However I purchased an iPhone SE used from someone online this year as a secondary device....bad idea. It worked great for about a week. It even had several months of Apple Care, so I figured how could I go wrong? It stopped connecting to cellular network all of sudden. After taking it to Apple I found out the person canceled their account with their carrier which caused the phone to get locked. Once locked, it no longer would work on a cellular network. The person and I were on contact but I never got all of my money back, only 60% of the purchase price. So I would never buy used from someone again, to many variables. If you still dare, try one of those websites or companies that sells preowned phones so you have some recourse.

 

[Sam in SoCal]

I have always purchased phones new. However I purchased an iPhone SE used from someone online this year as a secondary device....bad idea. It worked great for about a week. It even had several months of Apple Care, so I figured how could I go wrong? It stopped connecting to cellular network all of sudden. After taking it to Apple I found out the person canceled their account with their carrier which caused the phone to get locked. Once locked, it no longer would work on a cellular network. The person and I were on contact but I never got all of my money back, only 60% of the purchase price. So I would never buy used from someone again, to many variables. If you still dare, try one of those websites or companies that sells preowned phones so you have some recourse.

So if I understand correctly the person cancelled the account and fraudulently sold you a phone he was still making payments on his account that he didn’t own yet?

 

[kirbisi]

which in no way supports argument about buying phone new as its your responsibility as a buyer to check the phone if its locked to one specific carrier

 

[Ta0jin]

Hello, I've been looking for a while to buy an iPhone 6s Plus and I have been debating on whether or not I want to buy it off Swappa used or the Apple store new. So many people have suggested buying it off Swappa, but I have my concerns on how long the phone will last compared to a new iPhone bought in the Apple store. A new iPhone will have a brand new battery and I'm scared that if I buy this iPhone off of Swappa, someone will sell me a phone that dies super fast or something.

Would you...

1.) Buy a pre owned iPhone 6s Plus 64 GB from Swappa for around $500

or

2.) Buy a brand new iPhone 6s Plus 32 GB for about $700 after taxes

Since it's an Iphone, does my concerns on the life of the phone even matter? Overall, I just want to get a good value for my money since I've been saving up for it for a while.

Thanks for your suggestions!

In my mind I just think of all the people that take a dump or look at porn while on their phones, so the idea of purchasing a used phone is a no go for me.

 

[kirbisi]

do people shake hands in your world?

in any case if you're so paranoid about diseases you can just disinfect the phone.

also you would be mistaken to think that your phone is much cleaner than someones who takes it to a toilet every morning. You go somewhere in public and your hands get dirty, you check the time or email and your phone is as contaminated as everyone else's.

anyhow its a good point and a good reminder to think twice before checking the time or inbox during a meal

btw it might be that we can already just wash our phones with soap and water whenever we feel like it thanks to the high level of water resistance on modern phones:

 

[Ta0jin]

do people shake hands in your world?

in any case if you're so paranoid about diseases you can just disinfect the phone.

also you would be mistaken to think that your phone is much cleaner than someones who takes it to a toilet every morning. You go somewhere in public and your hands get dirty, you check the time or email and your phone is as contaminated as everyone else's.

anyhow its a good point and a good reminder to think twice before checking the time or inbox during a meal

btw it might be that we can already just wash our phones with soap and water whenever we feel like it thanks to the high level of water resistance on modern phones:

You have a valid point, I work with special needs teen boys who can’t keep their hands out of their pants so my OCD brain just goes there lol.

 

[ilikewhey]

I have always purchased phones new. However I purchased an iPhone SE used from someone online this year as a secondary device....bad idea. It worked great for about a week. It even had several months of Apple Care, so I figured how could I go wrong? It stopped connecting to cellular network all of sudden. After taking it to Apple I found out the person canceled their account with their carrier which caused the phone to get locked. Once locked, it no longer would work on a cellular network. The person and I were on contact but I never got all of my money back, only 60% of the purchase price. So I would never buy used from someone again, to many variables. If you still dare, try one of those websites or companies that sells preowned phones so you have some recourse.

rookie mistake, you should've checked the imei number and run info to see if the phone is fully paid off.

wow this thread is 3 years old. no wonder i was wondering why someone would pay 700 for a new iphone 6 lol

 

[dukebound85]

I have many times.

iPhone 3g - new
iPhone 4 - new
iphone 4s - used
iphone 5s - used
iPhone se - new
iPhone 8 plus - used

Just make sure:
-signed out of icloud
-imei is clean and not blocked
-ideally unlocked
-not on a finance plan with a carrier that would prevent unlocking