What should I test when buying a used iPhone?

A friend wants to buy an old iPhone from CL and asked for advice. While I often buy i-devices on CL, I have never actually made a list of things I test. This has inspired to make a list as it will benefit others as well.

0. Look at the cosmetic condition. Look for scratches on screen, back, scuffing on the trim, cracks near earphone jack and charger. Remove any screen protector or case.

Here are items to test if it looks fine:

1. Turn silent switch to speaker and then switch it back to vibrate
If the phone doesn't vibrate:
-either the vibrator is bad or the switch is bad

2. Ask someone to call you:
-Test Ringer
-Test Speaker phone
-Test Earphones

3. Press home button to go to SpringBoard a few times to ensure it isn't stuck

4. Pinch and zoom a few times to test the digitizer

5. Open Safari and Rotate the phone a few times to test accelerometer

What else?

daaneel said:

If its jailbreaken search for winterboard and see if something like fake my about screen is enabled

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Hey, never heard of this fake about screen. What is that?

ann713 said:

If the warranty is supposedly still valid, you can check the age of the phone using https://selfsolve.apple.com/GetWarranty.do

-Make sure all buttons are working properly
-If purchasing the 3GS, check the compass
-Take a picture
-Make a phone call
-If possible, make sure wi-fi is connecting properly
-Check for dead pixels

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Everything added to my list. Any tips for people to check for dead pixels? I feel that they show better on black. Is that true?

L I G H T I N G said:

Good point, personally and I know others will agree with me, buying a new product off the production lines gives you a sense of security that everything is new and functional(99% of the time) and you will be worry free.After all apple products are very exclusive, might as well get a new one if you plan to get one.

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I would agree if money was a non-issue in this world. Compromises can't be avoided.