Are you thinking of buying a used iPhone? In nations like Nigeria, the use of Apple mobile phones is very high as almost every young person owns one and those that do not, wish they do.
While there is a large population of iPhone users in African nations like Nigeria, data shows that most of them do not buy them fresh new.
This demonstrates how well the used iPhone or second-hand market is thriving in Nigeria and African nations.
In a country like Nigeria, the cost of a new one can be too expensive for an average person. Therefore, it is not a bad idea for you to acquire a secondhand iPhone.
However, while purchasing a used iPhone, you must exercise extreme caution as you would not want to buy a faulty, fake, stolen, modified, or propped iPhone.
This is why we advise you to purchase used iPhones from reliable shops.
People who are looking for cheap UK-used iPhones in Nigeria should keep in mind that the majority of them come with strings attached.
When a device is lower than its typical price, it means the phone has either been refurbished, stolen, locked, unlocked globally or has a fault.
One can fall victim to people who sell these kinds of phones, especially with the temptation of a cheaper price.
Many people have fallen victim to this, especially with a visit to Computer Village which is Nigeria’s largest Information and Communications Technology accessories market.
Computer Village is located in the Otigba community of Ikeja, the capital of Lagos State.
What To Know When Buying An iPhone
You don’t want to spend your money on an iPhone just to discover that it has problems with a feature you rely on, such as the camera.
This is why you should put the iPhone through certain tests to ensure that its major components are in place.
First, use an Apple charger to see if the iPhone charges, there is no point in buying a phone that does not charge.
Next, you need to confirm that the speaker and microphone are operational. You can do this by recording something and playing it.
Also, check the earpiece volume and the best way to accomplish this is to make a phone call using FaceTime. Also, try using any Bluetooth gadget you have to test that the Bluetooth work.
Furthermore, examine the buttons on the phone, and check the mute button and the volume rockers as well because you’ll need them to force-restart your phone at times.
Next, check the camera by taking a picture and any image you capture should be relatively clear and not blurry.
Furthermore, you should check if the iPhone is locked, factory unlocked, chip unlocked, or unlocked globally
If you are not purchasing your iPhone from a friend or family member who purchased theirs brand-new, you should be aware of the lock/unlock state of the used iPhone you are purchasing.
Chip Unlocked
For chip-unlocked secondhand iPhones, you must programme a specific SIM card to correspond with that chip to bypass the SIM lock imposed by the original carriers (Verizon, T-mobile, etc.
Therefore, make sure you ask your seller about the lock/unlock status of the iPhone you’re considering purchasing.
Although chip-unlocked phones are cheaper, it would cost extra to programme the SIM card.
Also, check if the device is factory-unlocked or worldwide unlocked.
Any smartphone that is worldwide unlocked will always lock back when restored to factory settings, hence purchasing factory-unlocked devices is always recommended.
Check if the device has the face id, or fingerprint unlock depending on the type you’re buying.
If it does not have either or they are faulty, it would be hard to unlock when you want to use and in most cases, you might not be able to fix it.
Once the track ball is bad, you cannot fix it to the point that it will recognise your finger.
Battery Health
One problem many iPhones have is the battery health and a low battery health would mean extra cost to change the battery.
To avoid this, you must look for two critical parameters: Maximum Capacity and Performance Capability.
If the maximum capacity is greater than 90%, that is sufficient; if it is less, you will need to change it or charge your phone frequently.
You may buy the best-looking iPhone, with a terrific camera and a sleek and speedy feel.
However, if your battery health is less than 50%, you’re in for a rough ride.
Inside Computer Village
Our correspondent visited the Ikeja market and spoke to a few buyers and sellers who shared their experiences with the sale of iPhones.
A buyer who identified himself as Badoo Love said he purchased the UK-used iPhone 7 Plus for ₦98,000 and everything is in place.
According to him, he can “genuinely tell between Nigerian and UK used”.
Also Read: MTN Adopts NCC’s New Unified USSD Codes
Another buyer, M Trillz said: “I got my iPhone 8 ₦100,000, It has no chip lock. It depends on who you buy it from; that is how you will know if it is from the UK or the US. Mine was from the United Kingdom”.
Paul, an iPhone seller in the market reveals how sellers trick buyers into believing a phone is UK or US-used, or even brand new.
“With the look of the price tag or storage on the back of the iPhone, they will automatically see it as a brand new, US and UK used,” Paul says.
“If it’s a Nigerian used iPhone, we remove the price tag and print a new paper that will be placed at the back of the iPhone so people can believe it’s a US or UK,” he adds.
A Trusted Seller
Oseni another seller emphasises the need for a trustee seller in other not to fall victim to fraudsters.
“You need a trusted vendor not to be a victim of what you are avoiding. Buying used items in the UK, you are sometimes lucky,” Oseni says.
“There are some persons who only sell in the United Kingdom. They do not swap or sell in Nigeria, and you must be familiar with the iPhone or have a friend who is familiar with the iPhone if you are not purchasing from a trustworthy vendor.
“If they sell iPhone XR 160,000 and someone offers to sell 145,000, there is a reason.
“Sometimes a customer can get an item today and come to upgrade three days later, there are places in Ikeja that do that, they will accept because it’s still seen as useful,” Oseni explains.
As much as you want to use an iPhone, ensure to get an iPhone that you will enjoy and not one that will stress you.