Where to buy a used iPhone? And how to figure out what kind I need?

July 29, 2017 8:13 PM

My daughter's iphone 4S has just given up the ghost. I had been thinking of replacing it soonish, but my budget recently took a huge hit so we put it off. And then now our hand is forced because the entire right side of the screen does not register any touches at all. She cannot even unlock it.

Due to budget constraints, I would like to buy her a used iphone as a replacement instead of new. I am most interested in an iphone 6 for her. She says 16G of memory is ok, but I'd like to get her 64G just to make sure she has plenty of space. Any color of phone will do.

I am looking around at Swappa, and found one with 65G in good condition for $270 from a seller that offers a 30-day guarantee. They are a big company seller, not an individual (I prefer not to buy from an individual). Is Swappa a good place to buy from, or should I look elsewhere? I'd really like to get something in "Good" condition for less than $300.

We use Verizon prepaid, and plan to continue to do so. So what category should we look at? Verizon locked, or unlocked? Also, there are two different types of unlocked - how do I distinguish between them and figure out which one we need?

Thank you for any assistance you can provide.

posted by cats are weird to Shopping (8 answers total)

Response by poster: Oops typo - "found one with 64G", not 65G.
posted by cats are weird at 8:15 PM on July 29, 2017

You might look at an Out Of Warranty replacement through Apple. You’d be getting the closest replacement model so likely an SE, which is a 6 but in the form factor of a 5s. It would be around $200 USD iirc.
posted by sixfootaxolotl at 8:35 PM on July 29, 2017

cats are weird, check your MeMail.
posted by Room 641-A at 10:52 PM on July 29, 2017

I've bought a few iPhones on Swappa--one for a friend. My experience has been really positive. Look for good quality photos and good reviews, and someone who responds to your inquiries.
posted by tula at 12:05 AM on July 30, 2017

Swappa's great. I had to return one phone there but it was easy to get refunded. I've also bought and sold on Gazelle without issue. Nice job keeping the 4S, the best iphone, alive this long.
posted by michaelh at 1:53 AM on July 30, 2017

Bear in mind that it is possible to replace the touch screen on an 4s - the complexity of the steps involved mean it is not something to undertake lightly - and if/when it is all fixed you still have a 4s rather than a 6 - but I mention it because it might be the cheapest option - and worth checking with your local back street phone repair people.
posted by rongorongo at 2:12 AM on July 30, 2017

+1 for Swappa; I've bought at least 3 iphones and one iPad from them, and they are wonderful.
posted by Major Matt Mason Dixon at 3:37 AM on July 30, 2017

My experience buying on Swappa went perfectly, and I would use them again. iPhone 6's are prone to developing Touch Disease (screen failures), though not as prevalently as 6+'s, so I might hesitate to get a used one.
posted by daisyace at 5:33 AM on July 30, 2017