Help! I need advice in buying a used Samsung Galaxy S4

[nastynazz]

Hey hows it going everyone, so I recently has the LG Connect 4G for Metro Pcs and must say it was a shitty phone that in the end broke down on me.

So now I am in the market in buying a used Galaxy S4 but have some questions and concerns I am hoping you guys can help answer. The phone will be going on Metro Pcs so i know the phone needs to be unlocked? and a clean esn? here are my questions...

1. Besides the obvious wear and tear I should be looking for in buying a phone how can i know if the phone has a bad ESN?

2. I've read scenarios online where people have unknowingly bought phones that have been cloned? what exactly is a cloned phone and how would i know if the phone I'm purchasing is cloned?

3. Might sound like a noob question but how can I tell if a phone is unlocked?

 

[Note3owner]

Go to about phone in settings. That should show originality.
Check the wifi connection. Lots of people have had problems with their wifi on 4.3 and may try ro offload obe on you

 

[Note3owner]

If you are collecting it in person just check if there are apps which are native to a carrier. There will probably be a lot of bloat in a locked phone.

 

[Note3owner]

A cloned phone is kind of a fake phone in simple terms.

 

[lotus49]

You should check the IMEI with the carrier to make sure it hasn't been reported stolen.

I've read two stories on this site of people who bought phones on Craigslist only to find they stopped working shortly afterwards. They had both been stolen and the IMEI blocked so they are now unable to connect to a phone network and are essentially just PDAs.

Also, have a look at this helpful post from ironass http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/740864-fake-clone-not-genuine-galaxy-s4-phones.html that explains how to check whether the phone is genuine.

 

[Note3owner]

U can cross check the model number here. View attachment 1388756637102.jpg

 

[ironass]

See, Fake, clone, not genuine, Galaxy S4 phones

Edit: Ninja'd by lotus49!

 

[nastynazz]

You should check the IMEI with the carrier to make sure it hasn't been reported stolen.

I've read two stories on this site of people who bought phones on Craigslist only to find they stopped working shortly afterwards. They had both been stolen and the IMEI blocked so they are now unable to connect to a phone network and are essentially just PDAs.

Also, have a look at this helpful post from ironass http://androidforums.com/samsung-galaxy-s4/740864-fake-clone-not-genuine-galaxy-s4-phones.html that explains how to check whether the phone is genuine.

where would i find the imei number and how would i check to see if it has been reported?

 

[ironass]

where would i find the imei number and how would i check to see if it has been reported?

By reading the link that both lotus49 and I, referred you to.

 

[cybertec69]

First make sure the IEM is clean with the carrier Buy and Sell Used Mobile Phones and Tablets > Swappa , you can check the IEM there if it is clean, if not the phone will not be usable, second you can download this app to make sure it is not a fake https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dama.hardwareinfo