Agree on the inspection before meeting
Ask for the model number, storage, photographs of damage and known repair history. Arrange enough time to inspect the actual unit. Bring your SIM and a suitable charger if possible. An old video should not replace inspecting the phone you will receive. This is a buyer's checklist, not a diagnostic certificate or a guarantee against faults.
Establish activation first
Apple advises against buying an Activation Locked iPhone. If it displays iPhone Locked to Owner, have the owner resolve it with their account; do not rely on a promise to remove it after payment. A Hello screen alone is insufficient: the phone still needs setup and activation. Apple's used-iPhone guidance.
Read repair and battery information
Settings → General → About may show Parts and Service History, depending on model, iOS version and repairs. Also examine battery health and warnings in battery settings. These are supporting information; a high capacity figure does not replace inspection. Apple's reference explains the messages and when records are available.
Keep a simple inspection record
- Body and screen: record cracks, pressure marks and unresponsive areas. Read text at your normal size and check that brightness suits you.
- Connection: try the calling and data line you intend to use; clarify carrier locking and the regional variant.
- Pictures and sound: photograph text and, with permission, a person; record a short clip and review it for faults that matter to your use.
- Accessories: check the agreed cable and adapter and try charging without forcing the connector.
- Result: mark each item checked, issue found, or not checked. An unchecked item has not automatically passed.
Price the repair before negotiating
An illustrative example, not a local repair quotation: phone A costs JOD 180, plus 35 for a battery replacement quoted in writing and 5 delivery, giving a known cost of 220. Phone B at 210, with a battery you find acceptable and the same variant, could be 10 cheaper. Never turn an unknown repair into a zero-cost assumption: obtain a quote first or stop the comparison.
Match used offers by capacity and condition. The new-device price in our catalog cannot determine the used value on its own: battery condition, repairs and accessories change the decision. Use our full-cost comparison to align the terms.
When to stop
Stop if activation cannot be established or the seller refuses the agreed inspection. If you discover damage whose effect and cost you cannot assess, time pressure does not make that uncertainty disappear. A low price cannot compensate for a phone you cannot use for your intended purpose.
Before leaving
Keep an invoice or sale record stating the model, storage, condition, amount paid, disclosed defects and any agreed return terms. Get the seller's promises in writing. Do not publish device serial numbers or the owner's details online. If you do not buy, remove your SIM and any account or personal information entered during inspection.
Inspect the actual used unit
“Checked” records that you performed a check. This list issues neither certification nor a health percentage. Do not enter passwords, IMEI or serial numbers; we request none and send no input.
Sources and references
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