One Tech Tip: Thinking of buying a secondhand phone? Some tips on what to look for

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LONDON (AP) — New smartphones aren’t cheap and prices could reach even higher as globe trade tensions fueled by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats throw Asian exports into turmoil.

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To save money, consider buying a secondhand device.

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The market for used cell phones is booming. It’s now growing faster than the market for new devices, according to CCS Insight, a U.K.-based tech research firm.

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As each new model release sends consumers rushing to upgrade, they’ll also be selling or trading in their existing devices, which usually have lots of life left.

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If you’re on a budget, a refurbished secondhand phone can be up to 50% cheaper than new, and they now come with warranties, flexible financing and after-sales service, CCS said in a recent report.

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Meanwhile, the starting price of a new top of the line iPhone Pro Max could potentially rise 29% from $1,550 to $1,200, according to a UBS estimate.

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But buying a secondhand device is less straightforward than buying a new one. Here are some pointers:

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Which phones are the most popular?

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Apple fans will have the most choice because iPhones make up about 60% of the global market for secondhand phones, according to CCS insight. Samsung Android devices are second with about 17%. The rest is made up of lesser known Chinese brands like Xiaomi.

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Where can I buy them?

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There are numerous places online to buy secondhand phones, but like much of the internet, there are many scammers. The usual advice applies: check reviews, look for trusted sellers and guarantees, and avoid deals that seem too good to be true.

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Try platforms that specialize in selling secondhand electronics and other goods such as Gazelle and Backmarket. Refurbished phones are also available from retailers like BestBuy and Amazon. Phone companies also sell them, so check with your wireless carrier.

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Even Apple and Samsung sell secondhand devices on their websites. The advantage there is that they’ve been refurbished by their in-house technicians, so you’ll know they’ll be reliable. The downside is that discounts aren’t as significant and selection can be limited. Apple’s website currently only lists refurbished iPhone 13 and 14 models, for example.

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When a phone is refurbished, it normally means that the data has been wiped and it has been tested and inspected for any problems. Any defective or faulty components are normally replaced.

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A used phone, however, could refer to any secondhand device, including those sold by individuals through online classifieds like Facebook Marketplace. Prices could be cheaper but it’s buyer beware because used phones are often sold as-is and usually without any repairs or guarantees.

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“You will get the best price if you’re prepared to handle that risk,” Simon Bryant, vice president of research at CCS Insight.

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Lots of used phones are also sold on marketplaces for so-called peer-to-peer transactions that also offer better protections for buyers, like eBay or Swappa, which have policies for refunds if a phone isn’t as it was advertised.