Checking a used phone screen, cameras and sound
A repeatable viewing routine helps you spot visible issues and distinguish an untested feature from a working one.
Inspect the display in ordinary light
Clean reflections can hide scratches, so view the phone from several angles with the screen both on and off. Ask to see plain light and dark backgrounds at comfortable brightness. Type in a blank note and drag an icon across the display with permission. Do not press hard on the panel or treat a short check as a professional display diagnosis.
Use more than one camera mode
Take a photo of an object nearby and another farther away. Switch between the available lenses and try the front camera, then review the actual pictures for focus and marks. Record a short video and listen back. Ask about lens-glass replacement if you see chips or haze. Delete only the test pictures with the owner’s agreement.
Separate speaker and microphone checks
Playing music tests a speaker but does not show whether callers can hear you. Make a permitted test call or voice recording at a normal volume. Note crackling, missing audio or a feature you could not try. Share the written findings with the seller and agree which faults are already reflected in the asking price.
Your viewing checklist
- Screen inspected on and off.
- Photos and a short recording reviewed.
- Untested functions are written down.
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