Budget 20-25K Looking to buy an older iPhone refurbished or second hand, is it worth it?

Status
Not open for further replies.
B

baembs

Novice
So I've recently shifted to the Apple Silicon processor MacBook after a long and slow losing battle of sticking to windows, these processors just are a game changer for my video editing and I dont see myself going back to windows anytime soon, and I've also been thinking of changing my regular android phone to an older iPhone (11 at best with the budget I have) or should I just get an android and crib about the lack of a good file transfer service apart from wirelessly syncing it using syncthing or kdenlive? Below is the regular questionnaire

1. Budget?
A: INR 15k-30k

2. Preferred display size, type and resolution?
A: NA

3. Preferred operating system? (Android (with version), iOS, etc).
A: iOS

4. Preferred connectivity options? (4G, 3G, 2G etc).
A: 4G is cool enough

5. Do you have any brand preference or dislike? Please name them.
A: Apple, or Google, or Moto (something with closest to stock experience)

6. What is your intended use for this phone (internet, camera, multimedia, mails etc.)?
A: Daily regular use, occasional photography

7. Single SIM/ Dual SIM?
A: No preference

8. New or Used? Online or Offline?
A: Used. Online (I dont think I have many offline options where I live in Himachal)

9. Any other requirements?
A: A warranty, or all original parts to be there on the phone when I buy it

10. If you have already considered a phone, then please mention the model
A: iPhone 12 Mini (But I've heard bad battery reviews from quite a few people, so reconsidering it)
 
Last edited:
Sort by date Sort by votes
If buying second hand iPhone online from trusted source then it's okay, next best thing is buying it offline by inspecting first, there is this 3utools software on windows which can tell you almost everything about the phone when you connect to it. Like which parts are original, what is the battery cycle count, warranty left etc.

Buying second from anywhere else could be a problem.
There are numerous things being done to make the iPhones look like new, for example by replacing the back glass on the new models, whole new housing on the older models, screens being replaced by aftermarket screens, which works okay but visual quality is not up to the mark, battery health statistics can be changed with an external jig, iCloud locked phones can be made to look like they are unlocked by raincheck jailbreak, broken home button are replaced by generic ones which do not work with finger print, but the click works, all phone being fine except face ID not working, Wifi/Bluebooth module being damaged etc etc.

Be careful.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
It's always better to get an older flagship than a newer budget offer but keep in mind that second hand market is finnicky and the trust is built on basically nothing. If India had verified resellers and not OLXers this would've been an easy recommendation
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
One of my friends is selling off his 128gb iPhone 11 (cuz he upgraded). I'm buying it for 22k. Battery is at 85%, no repairs done on it. All original. No scratches. Just 18 months old. It looks like a good price. What say? I'm definitely not buying from any other sources apart from trusted source or from a friend.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
baembs said:
I'm buying it for 22k.
Click to expand...
Price is great. Go for it.

baembs said:
Battery is at 85%
Click to expand...
Almost time for it to get a new battery. According to Apple 600 battery cycle count is where battery should be replaced, if we consider 1 cycle charging per day that 600 days = 1.6 years. Buy battery from tonyvision.in get it replaced at your local phone repair shop.

But still nothing hurts to check it in 3utools before buying.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Heisen said:
Price is great. Go for it.


Almost time for it to get a new battery. According to Apple 600 battery cycle count is where battery should be replaced, if we consider 1 cycle charging per day that 600 days = 1.6 years. Buy battery from tonyvision.in get it replaced at your local phone repair shop.

But still nothing hurts to check it in 3utools before buying.
Click to expand...
Don‘t bother with the battery yet.. My almost to be 4 year old 11 pro max has been at 82% for probably the last 1 year.

My take on the situation though - the 11 series was excellent and has served me really well.
But i also know it will be time to change it soon for one reason alone…
4G networks will start getting spotty very soon.

stretch your budget a bit and get the 12 instead.. The ip12 will comfortably last you at least 3 years if not more
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
superczar said:
Don‘t bother with the battery yet.. My almost to be 4 year old 11 pro max has been at 82% for probably the last 1 year.

My take on the situation though - the 11 series was excellent and has served me really well.
But i also know it will be time to change it soon for one reason alone…
4G networks will start getting spotty very soon.

stretch your budget a bit and get the 12 instead.. The ip12 will comfortably last you at least 3 years if not more
Click to expand...
Already on a stretched budget, I'm settling for this, and will keep an eye on the battery, I think I'll wait it out until it hits the late seventies. Actually I just got the phone, and was surprised that we can now transfer whatsapp texts too. Thanks for the suggestions everyone.
 
Upvote 0 Downvote
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top