Scored an iPhone 3GS?

[ET iPhone Home]

A lady I worked with has an iPhone 3GS A1303B. I came to Apple on the 4S. I mentioned I'd purchased it if she were interested in selling. She ordered her iPhone 6 today and will be receiving it next week.

She's selling me the iPhone 3GS for $25.00 (maybe, pending for a little more $ because it's a 3GS not a 3G). It's on ATT network and she's going to call in to get it unlocked (so I can use it on T-Mobile). I need this phone until I'm ready to purchase an iPhone 6. I don't need data on it. I'm on Sprint and I want out before my next payment cycle mid-Nov.

Questions?

1. She said I may need a charger for it, can this charger still be purchased? I came into iPhone with the 4S. Will the charger work for the 3?

2. Does Apple still have batteries for this if I decide to keep it longer?

3. Once she resets the phone as factory new, is there anything else she needs to do. I hear horror stories of requiring seller's Apple ID for reset.

4. Do you think this was a good purchase? The phone looked like it was in decent condition. Rhetorically, what can you expect for an iPhone 3 for $25.

Thanks for your replies.

 

[Spectrum Abuser]

A lady I worked with has an iPhone 3GS A1303B. I came to Apple on the 4S. I mentioned I'd purchased it if she were interested in selling. She ordered her iPhone 6 today and will be receiving it next week.

She's selling me the iPhone 3GS for $25.00 (maybe, pending for a little more $ because it's a 3GS not a 3G). It's on ATT network and she's going to call in to get it unlocked (so I can use it on T-Mobile). I need this phone until I'm ready to purchase an iPhone 6. I don't need data on it. I'm on Sprint and I want out before my next payment cycle mid-Nov.

Questions?

1. She said I may need a charger for it, can this charger still be purchased? I came into iPhone with the 4S. Will the charger work for the 3?

2. Does Apple still have batteries for this if I decide to keep it longer?

3. Once she resets the phone as factory new, is there anything else she needs to do. I hear horror stories of requiring seller's Apple ID for reset.

4. Do you think this was a good purchase? The phone looked like it was in decent condition. Rhetorically, what can you expect for an iPhone 3 for $25.

Thanks for your replies.

The charger from your iPhone 4S will work.

You can replace the battery on the 3GS with a little technical know-how. Apple does offer out of warranty replacement if you'd rather they do it.

iOS 6 didn't have activation lock like later versions of iOS. You'll be fine as long as it isn't blacklisted on AT&Ts network.

For $25 it sounds good. Most dumbphones are near that price, but the 3GS will be a lot more functional. Most apps will still work fine on it as long as it has iOS 6.

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

I've got three 3'gs's. Didn't know if they were worth anything to anyone anymore.

 

[deeddawg]

she's going to call in to get it unlocked (so I can use it on T-Mobile

Double check band compatibility in your area.

 

[CEmajr]

I've got three 3'gs's. Didn't know if they were worth anything to anyone anymore.

The going rate for them is around $50 these days. People will still buy them if you list them somewhere to sell.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

The going rate for them is around $50 these days. People will still buy them if you list them somewhere to sell.

Thanks for this. I didn't know the usual going price for a 3GS. I was going to offer $100, but now I'm glad she offered $25 since you stated it's worth about $50.

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The charger from your iPhone 4S will work.

You can replace the battery on the 3GS with a little technical know-how. Apple does offer out of warranty replacement if you'd rather they do it.

iOS 6 didn't have activation lock like later versions of iOS. You'll be fine as long as it isn't blacklisted on AT&Ts network.

For $25 it sounds good. Most dumbphones are near that price, but the 3GS will be a lot more functional. Most apps will still work fine on it as long as it has iOS 6.

Perfect. I have two 4S chargers, original and a 3rd party brand. Do you know what an out of warranty battery costs? I checked the Apple site and no mention since it's an outdated phone.

 

[mtneer]

Thanks for this. I didn't know the usual going price for a 3GS. I was going to offer $100, but now I'm glad she offered $25 since you stated it's worth about $50.

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Check out the condition it is in. That phone could be 5 years old and taken quite a beating. $100 is for a phone in good condition, not for a beat up one.

 

[EDH667]

Perfect. I have two 4S chargers, original and a 3rd party brand. Do you know what an out of warranty battery costs? I checked the Apple site and no mention since it's an outdated phone.

Apple charges $79.00 plus shipping plus $6.95 shipping to replace an iPhone battery.

 

[ET iPhone Home]

Apple charges $79.00 plus shipping plus $6.95 shipping to replace an iPhone battery.

Thanks…My co-worker still uses her 3GS, so it looks like the battery is decent from what I can tell. I think it should last me a few months before I decide on the 6. As mentioned, it's only $25, so it won't be a total loss for me. I only need it to get me through to T-Mobile for Voice only, as I have a Sprint 4S that obviously won't work on any there carrier. It sucks that Sprint doesn't have a pre-paid plan where I can use my existing 4S to get Voice/Text only. I would have to purchase one of their phones, which I won't do.