- Question
Should you buy a second-hand smartphone?
Is buying a used smartphone a smart move or a false economy? This entry sets out the two positions on the question — that you should buy a second-hand smartphone, and that you should not.
Position 1 of 2
Read this position →Yes, you should buy a second-hand smartphone
This position holds that buying a second-hand smartphone is sensible. On this view handsets outlast the upgrade cycle that replaces them, so a used device delivers most of a new one's capability at a fraction of the price.
Position 2 of 2
Read this position →No, you should not buy a second-hand smart phone
This position holds that you should not buy a second-hand smartphone. On this view the saving is offset by a worn battery, a shortened run of software support, and the absence of a warranty or any recourse if the device fails.