Would you buy a second hand phone?

[The Torrent]

My guy probably used it on the John for years with the off chance it fell in. And possibly used it doing much worse. You have to put that thing to face. Will it truly ever be clean?

[GOTSpectrum]

My current phone is second hand refurb, 

 

a good clean with isopropanol or some other decent sanitiser will make sure its clean for the most part.

 

Generally speaking microbes don't last forever on metal, glass and plastics. It depends on the microbe and the exact surface, but most perish within days. Add to that a decent clean ans sanitise(something we all should do on a regular basis anyway, especially now) I couldn't, and often don't see it as a problem. 

[The Torrent]

1 minute ago, GOTSpectrum said:

My current phone is second hand refurb, 

 

a good clean with isopropanol or some other decent sanitiser will make sure its clean for the most part.

 

Generally speaking microbes don't last forever on metal, glass and plastics. It depends on the microbe and the exact surface, but most perish within days. Add to that a decent clean ans sanitise(something we all should do on a regular basis anyway, especially now) I couldn't, and often don't see it as a problem. 

Maybe it’s just me who doesn’t like pressing against my face a device touched by all sorts of hands during all sorts of processes.

[Nena Trinity]

rub it all over with alcohol and it should be good to go, how ever I am more worried about them properly removing their apple-id or google account before selling it... :I

[GOTSpectrum]

1 minute ago, The Torrent said:

Maybe it’s just me who doesn’t like pressing against my face a device touched by all sorts of hands during all sorts of processes.

Everything you touch is no different, office phones, door handles, food containers and packaging, mail, public transport, glasses in bars, elevator buttons, door knockers, tops of drink cans, and don't even start to think about public bathrooms jeez.

 

What I'm trying to say is, the world a dirty place, we live in that world. Theres a reason we have an immune system. 

[Kilrah]

33 minutes ago, The Torrent said:

My guy probably used it on the John for years with the off chance it fell in. And possibly used it doing much worse. You have to put that thing to face. Will it truly ever be clean?

You're going to do the same with it and not going to bother cleaning it 10 times per day, so... what's different?

 

I clean my 2nd hand devices with some alcohol when I receive them (if the material is compatible of course) and that's it.

[The Torrent]

56 minutes ago, GOTSpectrum said:

Everything you touch is no different, office phones, door handles, food containers and packaging, mail, public transport, glasses in bars, elevator buttons, door knockers, tops of drink cans, and don't even start to think about public bathrooms jeez.

 

What I'm trying to say is, the world a dirty place, we live in that world. Theres a reason we have an immune system. 

i aint putting my face to a door handle though for hours a day.

 

36 minutes ago, Kilrah said:

You're going to do the same with it and not going to bother cleaning it 10 times per day, so... what's different?

 

I clean my 2nd hand devices with some alcohol when I receive them (if the material is compatible of course) and that's it.

i'd rather have my dirt on me than that guy over theres.

[GOTSpectrum]

18 minutes ago, The Torrent said:

i aint putting my face to a door handle though for hours a day.

Very true, but what you do actually do is touch your face 10-16 times an hour... right after touching all those grimy objects

[Zodiark1593]

My first couple smartphones, and a Samsung Gravity before that were second hand. My last two phones were new. 

[The Torrent]

1 hour ago, GOTSpectrum said:

Very true, but what you do actually do is touch your face 10-16 times an hour... right after touching all those grimy objects

people dont hold door handles on the toilet though with the off chance they fall in

 

or worse

[GOTSpectrum]

Just now, The Torrent said:

people dont hold door handles on the toilet though with the off chance they fall in

 

or worse

It seems very much like you have already made your mind up here...

 

At the end of the day, you can clean it and sanitise it, like anything else. If this is somehow not good enough for you then don't buy it, simple. 

 

I'm done here, have better uses for my time than fight a losing battle. 

 

Happy folding man.

[The Torrent]

4 minutes ago, GOTSpectrum said:

It seems very much like you have already made your mind up here...

 

At the end of the day, you can clean it and sanitise it, like anything else. If this is somehow not good enough for you then don't buy it, simple. 

 

I'm done here, have better uses for my time than fight a losing battle. 

 

Happy folding man.

was less of a 'battle' and more of a something for people to think about and curiosity on my part how many people think the same.

as you believe you was losing that quenches my curiosity.

Thanks for the help

[huilun02]

6 hours ago, The Torrent said:

 

Dirt on the phone can be cleaned off and should be the least of your concerns.

 

I'd be more worried about the wear that the battery and charging port has been subject to. And then any superficial damage especially to the screen. OLED panels degrade in color accuracy as well.

 

Personally I do not tolerate used devices and their drawbacks. Everything up to the procurement process. But I speak only for myself because I have always been able to afford the phone I want (which does not necessarily have to be some expensive model)

[kokakolia]

I regret buying an iPhone 7 used 3 years ago to save about $150 bucks compared to new. The battery was degraded (87%) and the screen had some deep scratches when I received it. Sites selling used phones are so shady about the condition. They have letter grades and vague descriptions. 

 

Only buy used if you're guaranteed a new screen and battery. I know Apple does that and you can save a few dollars compared to new, but not much. 

[TomvanWijnen]

8 hours ago, kokakolia said:

I regret buying an iPhone 7 used 3 years ago to save about $150 bucks compared to new. The battery was degraded (87%) and the screen had some deep scratches when I received it. Sites selling used phones are so shady about the condition. They have letter grades and vague descriptions. 

 

Only buy used if you're guaranteed a new screen and battery. I know Apple does that and you can save a few dollars compared to new, but not much. 

Or if you can look at it in person, so you can cancel the buy if the condition is not as desired.

[kokakolia]

5 hours ago, TomvanWijnen said:

Or if you can look at it in person, so you can cancel the buy if the condition is not as desired.

I replaced my iPhone 7 with a Moto G8 Power. The phone doesn't look like much on paper, but the performance is more than adequate. The speakers and battery are most impressive. The camera is surprisingly good too. I'm sticking to budget phones going forward. 

[freeagent]

I replaced my 7 with a certified preowned XS Max 256GB. It was a brand new phone, not a scratch or blemish and the battery was at 100%. It still is 4-5 months later. It also came with AppleCare. It cost me about 200 more than what the new SE retails for here. Still not cheap but half price was better than full price.

 

I don’t think I would buy a used phone today unless it was a certified pre owned. And I wouldn’t buy an android phone, but that is out of personal preference. No offense to the guys who run them.