Buying a refurbished phone? 9 checks before you pay

New, open-box, refurbished: what's the difference?

• Open-box: a new device whose box was opened, usually a return or display piece. Little or no use.
• Refurbished: a used device that has been tested, repaired where needed, cleaned and repackaged.
• Pre-owned / second-hand: sold as-is by a previous owner, often without testing.

Open-box and certified refurbished devices from a trusted seller are the safest ways to save.

The 9 checks

1. Seller and invoice. Buy from a seller who gives a proper GST invoice.
2. IMEI. Dial *#06# and match the IMEI with the box and invoice.
3. Battery health. On iPhone, check Settings › Battery › Battery Health. On Android, use the brand's diagnostics app or ask the seller for a test report.
4. Screen. Open a plain white and a plain black image. Look for dead pixels, burn-in and yellow patches.
5. Cameras. Test front and back cameras, focus, flash and video.
6. Calls and network. Insert your SIM, make a call, test speaker and microphone, and check 4G/5G.
7. Charging and ports. Plug in the charger and check that it charges steadily.
8. Accounts removed. Make sure the previous owner's Google or Apple ID is fully removed.
9. Warranty and protection. Ask what seller warranty you get, and whether you can add a protection plan for pre-owned devices.

Buying in bulk for a business?

For teams, ask for a test report per device, a single GST invoice, and the same model across the order so support stays simple. Adding protection on top of refurbished stock keeps repair costs predictable.