Things to note before buying a used Samsung phone

Choosing a “secondhand” phone helps users save a significant amount of money for many other useful things. However, to buy a good quality, cheap used phone, many people wonder how to check it, because most of us often do not have much experience to evaluate the parameters on the device. To help users have more information and experience when choosing to buy a used Samsung phone, the following article WebTech360 will guide users on how to test used phones before buying to avoid buying fake, “boiled” or assembled goods.

Table of Contents

• 1. Check appearance
• 2. Connection port
• 3. Use the test machine command to check the hardware
• 4. You check the connections and sensors
• 5. Related accounts
• 6. Check the device IMEI
• 7. Run these 2 tests before buying a used Samsung phone!
  • Using One UI's Secret Hardware Diagnostics Menu
  • Run phone diagnostics using the Samsung Members app
• 8. Other things to note

Steps to check Samsung device before buying include:

1. Check appearance

First, when buying a used phone, everyone will observe the sensory aspect of the product first. Observe carefully to see if the body and edges are scratched or have any serious scratches? The appearance of the device determines the aesthetics a lot, because no one will spend money to buy an old and ugly phone. Check carefully because a perfectly beautiful device is not necessarily good, because the seller can replace the outer shell. So if you buy a phone that has been used for several years and feel that the device is as beautiful as new, don't be too happy, remember to test more carefully in other steps to make sure you buy good stuff. After checking the appearance, if the device meets the requirements, we will check the details inside the device to see if it still works well?

2. Connection port

Charging port

This is a very important part of the device. If the device cannot be charged, you will not be able to use it and will have to spend money to repair it. When testing the device, you should ask the user to charge it to see if the battery is in or not. In addition to plugging it into the power source, you should also check the connection port to the computer to see if the device is recognized or not. Observe the charging port carefully, because used devices are often broken or have dust on them, which is not guaranteed.

Headphone port

You should also try plugging the headphones into the device to see if they work properly, if the sound is distorted or if there are any problems.

3. Use the test machine command to check the hardware

For Samsung models, you can use the command *#0*# to check the hardware of the device. After entering the command, the device test interface appears, you select each item to check the product.

• Screen Test: Select Red, Green, Blue, Dimming.
• Touch test: Touch.
• Check speakers: Receiver (Speaker), Speaker (Outside Speaker).
• Vibration test: Vibration.
• Check camera: Front cam, Mega cam.
• Check function keys: Sub key.
• Along with many other feature tests. These are the main tests you can refer to.

You can also use some of the following codes to check more information for your device:

• Software version check code: *#9999#.
• Vibration mode test code: *#9998*842#.
• Battery performance check code: *#9998 *228#.
• Code to change menu to English: *#0001# and press SEND.

4. You check the connections and sensors

Wifi connection

Connect the device to wifi to see if there is any error, open the applications and browsers on the phone to see if the device is connected to wifi or not?

Bluetooth connection

Send files via Bluetooth to other devices as well as receive from other devices to see if others can find you when connected to Bluetooth.

Auto screen rotation sensor

While watching movies, turn on the auto-rotate screen mode on your device to see if this feature is still responsive.

Proximity sensor

You make a phone call and cover the sensor with your hand. If the screen is off, the proximity sensor still works well.

GPS location activity

Go to the Google Map application to see if the device is relatively accurate in locating the location where you are opening the device. If the location is relatively accurate, you can safely use the location feature on the device.

So the machine can somewhat reflect the quality of the hardware and software running on the machine.

Take photos, record videos

Many people are very interested in this feature, so open the camera and check if the image quality is good and sharp or not?

5. Related accounts

When buying a used phone, you need to ask the seller to log out of all available accounts on the phone such as Samsung account, Google account. Because if you do not log out, your phone is very likely to fall into a locked state. So, log out of the previous owner's account and restore the phone to factory settings to ensure safety when using.

6. Check the device IMEI

Each of us has a different DNA pattern, and so do smartphones. The IMEI number of a mobile phone can be considered as a DNA code. You will never find two phones with the same IMEI number, unless one of the two phones has a problem. Therefore, when buying a used phone, you should carefully check the IMEI number.

To check the IMEI number of your device, enter *#06#. A window will open and display information about the device's IMEI number.

Next, compare this IMEI number with its own IMEI number on the phone's Settings to see if they match. Some phone models have the IMEI number printed on the back (such as the iPhone) or have a sticker with the IMEI printed under the battery of the device. Compare it with the IMEI numbers in these locations.

If all the IMEI numbers match, your phone has passed the “parking lot”. If there is any difference, it is an abnormal sign. It is very possible that the phone you are testing has had its mainboard swapped or its IMEI number changed, for example.

7. Run these 2 tests before buying a used Samsung phone!

The appeal of a used Samsung phone is undeniable: Top-of-the-line specs for a fraction of the price. However, with used devices comes the risk of potential problems, and it's important to thoroughly inspect a used Samsung phone to avoid costly surprises down the road.

Using One UI's Secret Hardware Diagnostics Menu

One of the best ways to assess the condition of a used Samsung phone is to use the secret hardware diagnostics menu in One UI. This menu lets you run tests on essential hardware components, helping you check for potential issues with the display, sensors, touch input, speakers, and more.

To access this menu, simply open the Phone app on your Galaxy device and type *#0*# . Once the diagnostics menu appears, you can run individual tests to assess the health of your device. Some of these tests are interactive, requiring you to follow on-screen instructions, while others are quick and easy to verify.

For example, tapping the Vibration option will activate the phone's vibration motor, allowing you to confirm that it works as expected. If you select the Touch option , you'll need to draw a straight line across a series of tiles to test the touchscreen's responsiveness and accuracy.

Running these tests will help identify potential errors or glitches, such as an unresponsive touchscreen, faulty sensors, or audio issues, that could be affecting your overall experience.

If any issues arise during the inspection, it's best to reconsider the purchase or negotiate a discount with the seller to cover potential repairs.

Run phone diagnostics using the Samsung Members app

While One UI’s built-in diagnostics menu is a great starting point for assessing the health of your Samsung phone, it’s not comprehensive. What if you buy a device only to find out later that its battery health has significantly degraded, its fingerprint sensor is malfunctioning, or worse, it has cellular network issues?

The Samsung Members app lets you test your phone's most important hardware and software components. It lets you test everything from NFC, Bluetooth, and microphone to more practical features like charging cables, cameras, and speakers.

1. Open the Samsung Members app on your Galaxy phone. If you can't find it, download it from the Play Store .
2. Go to the Support tab in the lower right corner.
3. Select Phone diagnostics .
4. Click the Test all button to start a full diagnostic test of the device.

Again, some of these tests will require some interaction on your part. For example, you may be prompted to press specific buttons to assess their responsiveness or listen to audio samples to assess speaker performance. However, you should be able to complete all of the tests in just a few minutes.

8. Other things to note

Once you have completed the necessary tests, it is important to perform a few additional checks before finalizing your purchase. Here are some things to keep in mind:

• Cross-reference the phone's IMEI number with online databases to ensure that the device has not been added to a carrier's block list or reported as stolen.
• After removing any case or screen protector, physically inspect the device for scratches, dents, or other signs of damage.
• Review your phone's software update history to gauge how long it will take for your phone to receive an official update.
• Ask about warranty and return policies if you purchase from a reputable dealer.

Even if the Samsung phone you're thinking about buying is a few years old, it can still perform well and last for a few more years. However, it's important to thoroughly check the condition of the phone.

Running the tests mentioned above will allow you to quickly evaluate any Samsung Galaxy phone within minutes. Remember, putting in a little extra effort up front will help you make a smarter purchase and get a device that meets your expectations.

Wish you have the right and wisest decisions.

See also:

• Good Games on Phones for Christmas
• Top 6 most worth buying phones for students
• 9 most common misconceptions about smartphones today