Buying a Used iPhone

Battery health, activation lock, and what to actually pay — the checks that separate a great used iPhone from an expensive mistake.

Judging condition: the four things that actually matter

Cosmetic wear is the least important thing about a used iPhone, yet it's what most listings lead with. The four things that genuinely determine whether a phone is worth buying are battery health, activation status, screen originality, and water-damage history. Everything else is negotiable.

Ask the seller to open Settings → Battery → Battery Health and send a photo of the Maximum Capacity percentage. Anything above 85% is fine for daily use; below 80% and Apple itself flags the battery as degraded, so factor an ~$90 battery replacement into your offer. A screen that's been replaced with a non-genuine part will often show a 'Unknown Part' or 'Important Display Message' warning in the same Battery settings screen — worth asking about, because aftermarket screens affect True Tone and Face ID reliability.

  • ✓Battery health ≥ 85% for a phone you plan to keep a year+
  • ✓No "Unknown Part" warnings under Settings → General → About
  • ✓Original screen and camera (aftermarket parts break Face ID / True Tone)
  • ✓No corrosion or moisture-indicator trip if the price seems suspiciously low

The activation-lock trap (and how to never fall for it)

This is the single most important check, and the one most first-time buyers skip. If an iPhone still has the previous owner's Apple Account signed in and Find My iPhone enabled, it is Activation Locked — a bricked paperweight you cannot set up, no matter how clean it looks. Stolen phones are almost always still locked, which is exactly why the check doubles as a stolen-goods filter.

Before you pay, insist the seller fully erase the device in front of you: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings, which forces them to enter their Apple Account password and removes the lock. Then walk through the setup screens to the Hello screen and confirm it doesn't demand a previous Apple Account. If a seller won't do this, walk away — no legitimate seller has a reason to refuse.

What to pay: anchoring to asking prices across all 7 marketplaces

Used iPhone pricing is a moving target that depends on model, storage, carrier lock, and battery health. The mistake is anchoring to a single listing. Instead, watch the spread: pull up the same model across eBay, Facebook Marketplace, OfferUp and Mercari at once and you'll quickly see the realistic floor versus the optimistic asks.

Unlocked phones command a premium over carrier-locked ones for good reason — a carrier-locked phone is only a deal if it's locked to a carrier you already use. As a rule, a private-party used iPhone should sit meaningfully below Apple's certified-refurbished price for the same model; if it doesn't, the refurb (with its warranty) is the better buy.

Model and storage: which variant is worth chasing

Storage is the variant that quietly determines value. A 64GB phone from a few generations back fills up fast and is worth chasing only at a steep discount; 128GB is the sweet spot for most buyers, and 256GB+ carries a premium that's usually worth it if you keep phones a long time. Pro models hold value better than the base and mini variants.

The smart move is to set a DealHunter alert for the specific model and minimum storage you want, with a price ceiling, and let it watch all seven marketplaces. Instead of refreshing apps, you get pinged the moment a clean, fairly-priced unit in the right configuration shows up.

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I check if a used iPhone is stolen or activation locked?+
Have the seller erase the phone completely (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings) in front of you — this requires their Apple Account password and removes the activation lock. Then walk through setup to confirm it doesn't ask for a previous Apple Account. A phone that still demands the old owner's login is activation locked and unusable, and is very likely stolen.
What battery health percentage is acceptable for a used iPhone?+
Aim for 85% or higher (Settings → Battery → Battery Health) if you plan to keep the phone a year or more. Between 80–85% is usable but you should negotiate the price down. Below 80% Apple flags the battery as significantly degraded — factor in roughly a $90 battery replacement when deciding what to offer.
Is it safe to buy a used iPhone on Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp?+
Yes, if you take precautions: meet in a public place, power the phone on and test it before paying, verify battery health and activation status, and pay in a way that suits an in-person deal. The advantage of local platforms is exactly that you can inspect and test before handing over money — which you cannot do with a shipped listing.
How much less should a used iPhone cost than a new one?+
It varies by model and condition, but a fair private-party used iPhone should sit clearly below Apple's certified-refurbished price for the same model and storage. If a used listing is close to the refurb price, buy the refurb instead — it comes with a warranty. Watching the same model across all seven marketplaces at once is the fastest way to see the realistic floor.