Used & Refurbished Phones on eBay: What to Check Before You Buy
A used phone can be a good deal, but locks and blacklists are not visible in photos. This hub lists what to confirm with the seller before you buy.
- eBay Refurbished (Certified, Excellent, Very Good) on eBay Refurbished under eBay’s Refurbished program for approved sellers. Check eBay’s current terms and the listing for warranty and returns.As an eBay Partner, we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
- Used on eBay Pre-owned; the seller describes the condition. Returns and warranty are whatever the listing states.
- Open Box (listed by eBay as “New other”) on eBay Unused or opened-box item. It is not an eBay Refurbished item.
Each button opens an eBay search for “unlocked smartphone” (Buy It Now only; remove that filter on eBay to see auctions). Listings change daily; we show no prices here. Seller descriptions are the seller’s own statements.
What to check in a phones listing
- Activation Lock (iPhone) / account lock
Apple states that if an iPhone shows the 'iPhone Locked to Owner' screen it should not be bought, and a device is ready for a new owner only when it reaches the Hello screen. Ask: 'Has the phone been erased and removed from your Apple Account / Find My? Will it show the Hello screen when powered on?'
Source: Apple Support
- Google FRP (Android) / Samsung account removal
Android Factory Reset Protection requires the previous Google account after a reset; Google's page says to remove the Google Account to turn device protection off. Samsung documents signing out of the Samsung account / turning off Find My Mobile. Ask: 'Have you removed all Google (and Samsung) accounts and then factory reset the phone?'
Source: Google Android Help
- IMEI blocklist status
GSMA Device Check lets anyone query an IMEI to see whether it is flagged on the GSMA Block List (e.g. lost or stolen). Apple documents where to find the IMEI. Ask the seller for the IMEI (Settings > General > About, or *#06#) or a photo of it.
Source: GSMA Device Check
- Carrier lock (iPhone)
Apple: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock shows 'No SIM restrictions' if unlocked; Apple cannot unlock a phone — only the current carrier can. Ask: 'What does Carrier Lock say under Settings > General > About?'
Source: Apple Support
- Battery condition
Apple explains Maximum Capacity and the design retention of iPhone batteries over charge cycles; Samsung documents a Battery status diagnostic in Samsung Members (Normal / Weak / Bad).
Source: Apple Support
- Parts & service history (iPhone)
Apple's Parts and Service History (iOS 15.2+) labels tracked parts as Genuine, Unknown, Unverified or Used; an unverified Logic Board may affect features such as Apple Pay. Ask for a screenshot of Settings > General > About > Parts and Service History (shown only if a repair occurred).
Source: Apple Support
These are general points, not an inspection of any listing. The seller’s description is the seller’s statement; we have not verified it.
Skip used if
- The listing does not disclose the battery health, lock status, or activation status.
- The listing does not identify the network bands, SIM type, or included cable and charger.
Used, Open Box or Refurbished?
- Used
- Open Box (New other)
- eBay Refurbished – Certified
- eBay Refurbished – Excellent
- eBay Refurbished – Very Good
- eBay Refurbished – Good
- Seller refurbished
- For parts or not working
eBay uses defined condition labels, and they are not interchangeable. An ordinary “Open Box” (listed by eBay as “New other”) is not a “Certified” anything; a seller’s own repair is not an eBay Refurbished item. Check the condition value and any warranty on the listing itself.
How we researched this page
General buying points compiled from manufacturer and eBay documentation and common listing practice. Model-specific facts will be cited per guide. Not based on testing the items. See How We Evaluate.