iPhone 11 Pro Hot Takes Wanted: New Vs Used iPhone 11 Pro

[johnnylarue]

I never bought a used phone before. However, if I was in the market for one, I would probably consider a 5 month old 256GB 11 Pro if it was priced at around $900.

+1. Exactly the price I had in mind.
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Moreover, when it comes to resale (for the sake of argument), those 5 extra 'peace of mind' months of Applecare won't add a ton of value unless I was to sell my phone less than a year from now--which is highly unlikely. 🤔

 

[AppleFanatic10]

Hi folks,

I'm gonna be doing some traveling this year and have decided to go camera-phone-only instead of bringing a dedicated camera along this time. Count me among those who hate the notch (I'm 100% convinced J. Ive does too) and would buy a supercharged SE in a heartbeat for the form factor, but I'm willing to live with these concessions for now.

I have an opportunity to pick up a cosmetically perfect used 256GB 11 Pro (unlocked) for about $980 USD. I've done my research and am aware of the pitfalls and safeguards of buying used. The seller is super trustworthy (meet at Apple Store, original receipt, etc.) The phone itself was a Day 1 purchase, so it has ~7 months of apple care left. Battery health is 98%. It otherwise has no issues and a quick run through diagnostics should catch anything that isn't immediately apparent.

OPTION B: I'll be spending some time in Oregon next week and can pick up a brand new phone for $1149 (tax free).

Hence my 1st World dilemma: Would you sacrifice 5 months of warranty and 2% battery health to save $169?

Please keep your answers as snarky as possible.

Honestly I would just they the brand new one. If something happens to the phone in next 5 months (cheaper one); you’re pretty much screwed. If you have a brand new one you can get AppleCare+ and be set for the next 2 years.

 

[aue123]

slap a case and screen protector on it and forget the AC+

 

[MisterSavage]

I wouldn't do either choice. I'd get a new phone via the iPhone upgrade program. If the new phone in the fall really floats your boat then you could pay to upgrade early. If not you keep paying and eventually own that 11 Pro.

 

[Derek87]

i'll bite: as others, i would take the new for sure, especially if you can get 2-3 years total warranty using the extended warranty feature of your credit card. what would make buying used worthwhile? it would have to be in the $400 range for this high end of a phone to be considered since you are only getting a 5 month warranty out of it.

 

[johnnylarue]

Loving the replies. Just to clarify, it's a 7-month warranty. (Phone is 5 months old.)

So we're talking $250 USD off from the cheapest retail price ($1149). I've never had a phone fail on me and have only ever had batteries replaced in my phones (no hardware failures), so the warranty stuff is great but it's mostly a peace of mind benefit.

Throw in my guilty environmental conscience into the mix and the used one does have some appeal. (As y'all can see that phone is in super clean condition.)
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slap a case and screen protector on it and forget the AC+

Yeah, pretty much. I've only ever used milked Applecare to swap my phone out for a fresh refurb before it expired.

The other way to look at it is those $250 saved would be there to cover at least one nasty out-of-warranty repair should the necessity arise later...

 

[mtcislak]

A little seasoning has been added to this situation as the seller seems willing to negotiate the price a bit further.
New question: At which price does this 5 month old phone become a good deal to you?
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It looks to be in phenomenal condition. You can do whatever your heart desires. Chances of having a issue and needing that extra few months of warranty are slim to none. For me I would say $850 max. For some reason saving $300 seems worth it to me. Beat of luck in your decision. Either way your going to have a awesome new phone

 

[bobsamm]

+1. Exactly the price I had in mind.

It's not rocket science, if your happy with $900 offer them that cash, take it or leave it. The end

 

[EM2013]

+1. Exactly the price I had in mind.
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Moreover, when it comes to resale (for the sake of argument), those 5 extra 'peace of mind' months of Applecare won't add a ton of value unless I was to sell my phone less than a year from now--which is highly unlikely. 🤔

The warranty would mean nothing anyway if it’s voided already, and considering how the average person thinks it’s “waterproof.” I wouldn’t put it past any used phone.

If you can get past that, next worry would be getting scammed by the seller. Which can happen in person or online.

 

[johnnylarue]

The warranty would mean nothing anyway if it’s voided already, and considering how the average person thinks it’s “waterproof.” I wouldn’t put it past any used phone.

If you can get past that, next worry would be getting scammed by the seller. Which can happen in person or online.

I’ve bought a few used phones in the past, always face to face, and find it pretty easy to tell what kind of person I’m dealing with after a few minutes of conversation. Which is not to say there isn’t a risk, but it’s not as frightening as it’s often made out to be.

In this instance, the seller has already shared a snapshot of his sales receipt, screenshots showing warranty status and battery health, and is willing to meet at an Apple Store to have it checked out by a Nerd (or genius or whatever 🤓). Point is, it’s about as secure as a transaction like this can be, and while there is still a tiny risk this is a very elaborate scam, my main concerns are establishing the relative worth of ‘peace of mind’ and whether the 2% loss of battery capacity in 5 months is a bad sign. Cuz the phone looks flawless and very well cared for otherwise.

 

[tranceking26]

I'd go for the new one.

It seems a little expensive for that used one, but I'm no expert.

 

[bobsamm]

I’ve bought a few used phones in the past, always face to face, and find it pretty easy to tell what kind of person I’m dealing with after a few minutes of conversation. Which is not to say there isn’t a risk, but it’s not as frightening as it’s often made out to be.

In this instance, the seller has already shared a snapshot of his sales receipt, screenshots showing warranty status and battery health, and is willing to meet at an Apple Store to have it checked out by a Nerd (or genius or whatever 🤓). Point is, it’s about as secure as a transaction like this can be, and while there is still a tiny risk this is a very elaborate scam, my main concerns are establishing the relative worth of ‘peace of mind’ and whether the 2% loss of battery capacity in 5 months is a bad sign. Cuz the phone looks flawless and very well cared for otherwise.

2% is nothing, those stats are not even that accurate. If it’s a good buy it would of been sold by now while you are on here procrastinating.
You sound like new buyer not used.
I Have bought 50 plus used iPhones/iPads, I check the serial no if price is right meet up, check it over pay cash done, never had 1 problem.

Where I have had a problem is buying a iPad off eBay and the sellers account was hacked.

 

[Tsepz]

Hi folks,

I'm gonna be doing some traveling this year and have decided to go camera-phone-only instead of bringing a dedicated camera along this time. Count me among those who hate the notch (I'm 100% convinced J. Ive does too) and would buy a supercharged SE in a heartbeat for the form factor, but I'm willing to live with these concessions for now.

I have an opportunity to pick up a cosmetically perfect used 256GB 11 Pro (unlocked) for about $980 USD. I've done my research and am aware of the pitfalls and safeguards of buying used. The seller is super trustworthy (meet at Apple Store, original receipt, etc.) The phone itself was a Day 1 purchase, so it has ~7 months of apple care left. Battery health is 98%. It otherwise has no issues and a quick run through diagnostics should catch anything that isn't immediately apparent.

OPTION B: I'll be spending some time in Oregon next week and can pick up a brand new phone for $1149 (tax free).

Hence my 1st World dilemma: Would you sacrifice 5 months of warranty and 2% battery health to save $169?

Please keep your answers as snarky as possible.

Take the $169 hit and get it brand new in the colour you want, IMO.

Also invest in a Leather Case and Tempered Glass Screen Protector and enjoy your new baby on holiday!

 

[organic bond]

Some of us have had a notch for 2.5 years, non issue, get over it

I just can't stand the notch, it bothers me. For lots of people it's a non issue, for me it is, mind you. Even after 25 years.

 

[Wide opeN]

New is the only way.

 

[johnnylarue]

2% is nothing, those stats are not even that accurate. If it’s a good buy it would of been sold by now while you are on here procrastinating.
You sound like new buyer not used.
I Have bought 50 plus used iPhones/iPads, I check the serial no if price is right meet up, check it over pay cash done, never had 1 problem.

Where I have had a problem is buying a iPad off eBay and the sellers account was hacked.

Actually I've never bought a new phone before! All of my previous phones have been a year old, with Applecare+ which I used to swap out my phone for a new/refurb at the end of the term. This has worked out very well for me and I would be doing the same thing again this time if it weren't for the fairly drastic camera improvements.

With that in mind, buying an 11 Pro used in its first year is slightly riskier because they're expensive as hell and there are a much higher percentage of unpaid phones floating around from people looking to make a quick buck.

Also the used phone I'm considering isn't advertised locally, which is why it's still available.

 

[johnnylarue]

Take the $169 hit and get it brand new in the colour you want, IMO.

Also invest in a Leather Case and Tempered Glass Screen Protector and enjoy your new baby on holiday!

The used one is actually exactly the model I was going to buy (Midnight Green, 256GB). Hence the temptation. And with the seller's willingness to negotiate the hit is now closer to $250.

 

[bobsamm]

The used one is actually exactly the model I was going to buy (Midnight Green, 256GB). Hence the temptation. And with the seller's willingness to negotiate the hit is now closer to $250.

I’d want at least $600aud off here for a 5 month old phone.

 

[johnnylarue]

I’d want at least $600aud off here for a 5 month old phone.

That’s about exactly what I’m saving on the CAD price (after taxes).
The maths are skewed somewhat because of my opportunity to get the new one tax-free, at about $250 CAD off the the post-taxes CAD price.
Either one is a relative bargain, if you can consider a $1K phone a bargain...

 

[bobsamm]

That’s about exactly what I’m saving on the CAD price (after taxes).
The maths are skewed somewhat because of my opportunity to get the new one tax-free, at about $250 CAD off the the post-taxes CAD price.
Either one is a relative bargain, if you can consider a $1K phone a bargain...

Well that phone is $2K here

 

[44267547]

The only ‘used’ device I would ever consider would be refurbished direct from Apple. Otherwise, I want new in terms of when it comes to a smart phone. As a Matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a used smart phone before from anyone.

 

[johnnylarue]

Well that phone is $2K here

Jeezuz! 😳 Context is everything.

Yeah that used phone is about $1348 in AUD. So it took some doing but I feel like we’ve actually arrived at the conclusion that the used phone is a decent deal.
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The only ‘used’ device I would ever consider would be refurbished direct from Apple. Otherwise, I want new in terms of when it comes to a smart phone. As a Matter of fact, I don’t think I’ve ever purchased a used smart phone before from anyone.

I get the impression that goes for most people on this forum—which makes sense since the vast majority of us are tech nerds (of varying degrees) who are mainly interested in the latest/greatest. Maybe not the most impartial crowd regarding second hand phones.

The arguments against used are sensible though—buying something that’s almost certainly been to the bathroom several times with a stranger is right up there with “eyebrow bugs” on the list of “Things We’d Rather Not Think About”. But at least the phone in question was cased and covered from Day 1 and looks very clean (at least sans microscope).

 

[johnnylarue]

Update: I just got caught up with iPhone 12 rumours and am suddenly grateful I haven’t bought an 11 yet. 🤓

 

[JPack]

Update: I just got caught up with iPhone 12 rumours and am suddenly grateful I haven’t bought an 11 yet. 🤓

"Personally, I would opt for neither and instead get an Apple refurbished X or XS. Put those savings toward the major form factor and feature update coming this September."

 

[johnnylarue]

"Personally, I would opt for neither and instead get an Apple refurbished X or XS. Put those savings toward the major form factor and feature update coming this September."

Exactly! I could have really used this advice, like 20 posts ago. 😋

But seriously, I didn’t realize THE NOTCH was on the chopping block. That’s very exciting news. As is the return of fingerprint ID. 3D camera is cherry. I wasn’t expecting any of those things, and if I’m looking at dropping this amount of cash on a phone... Makes sense to wait.

Crisis averted. (Or postponed, at least.)