Through the Internet you can find iPhone devices at a price lower than that recommended or sold by official stores. These can be refurbished or second-hand iPhones. However, the question arises: how do you know if these iPhones are original, a counterfeit, or have been stolen, found, or assembled with parts from other stolen or non-original devices?
If you are going to buy a second-hand iPhone, ask the seller for the serial number and IMEI identifier to check its authenticity or if it has been reported stolen or lost. This step is crucial to ensure that you are not purchasing an illegal product or one with legal problems.
In addition to requesting the IMEI identifier and serial number, ask for a photo of the SIM card tray and a photo of the box showing the IMEI identifier. Although the seller likely won't have the box to check if the iPhone's IMEI number matches the one printed on it, this code should match the one engraved on the SIM card tray. The coincidence of these numbers is a good indicator of the authenticity of the device.
Access Apple's IMEI number verification website. Do not trust another page that the seller sends you, as it may be false: https://checkcoverage.apple.com/?locale=es_ES&cid=gn-ols-checkcoverage-lp-get_help. This official site will provide you with detailed information about the warranty status of the device, thus confirming its authenticity.
If you have the opportunity to inspect the iPhone in person, there are several things you should check. First, if you can turn on the iPhone, go to the settings to check the IMEI code and serial number. It is important that these numbers match those provided by the seller and those printed on the box and SIM card tray.
In addition, although on the outside the device may appear identical to an iPhone and the menus and home screen appear to be from Apple's iOS operating system, you should be aware of possible imitations. There are applications, known as launchers, that imitate the iOS interface on Android devices. This means that the operating system could actually be Android. An iPhone will never operate with Android, and a fake device will never be able to have Apple's operating system, since it is not an open system.
If you have met in person with a seller, you can see the IMEI code and serial number without having to log in to the iPhone. Simply turn on the iPhone and you will see “Hello” in several languages.
Tap the “Information” button in the lower right corner of the screen, both the IMEI code and the serial number, model and data of the iPhone will appear and you will not need to have an iCloud account to access.
Finally, it is advisable to check the physical condition of the iPhone. Look at the quality of the materials, the response of the touch screen, the quality of the camera and the operation of the buttons and ports. A genuine iPhone will have high-quality finishes and impeccable operation of all its functions.
Buying a second-hand iPhone can be a great way to get a high-quality device at a discounted price. However, it is always important to carry out the necessary checks to ensure that you are making a safe and legal purchase.
