Database Users

Before buying a used Note 3? Most important things to check.

i am going to buy a used note 3
i already have some info about a used phone here
please tell me how to check if note 3 has been tripped or not
i mean how can i check knox is 0x1 or 0x0 (without using a pc)

Put the phone in download mode
Power button + volume down + home button.
Once done, it'll ask you to confirm by pressing volume up and it'll show you all the info you need.
Sent from my SM-N9005 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

nicholes said:
i am going to buy a used note 3
i already have some info about a used phone here
please tell me how to check if note 3 has been tripped or not
i mean how can i check knox is 0x1 or 0x0 (without using a pc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
- Knox warranty void: Home + Vol Down + Power button
- Dial *#0*# and test all functions here

Thanks for all the kind information.
anything else i should check?

nicholes said:
Thanks for all the kind information.
anything else i should check?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
If you have the IMEI it might be an idea to see if it's been blocked because its been reported stolen or lost...

Don't buy a China Fake Note 3
Use CPUZ to identify the specs
Gesendet von meinem SM-N9005 mit Tapatalk

nicholes said:
i am going to buy a used note 3
i already have some info about a used phone here
please tell me how to check if note 3 has been tripped or not
i mean how can i check knox is 0x1 or 0x0 (without using a pc)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
IMHO top on the list:
- check if it is not a fake Note 3
- check if the model works for your country/carrier (huge problem in some places of the world, including US, where the LTE or even 3G bands are different from one carrier to another)
- check if phone is not under contract; if you have any doubts see if you can pay with a credit card or something that can cover your loss if the owner later (usually 45+ days later) reports the phone stolen and your IMEI gets blacklisted.

there are too many things i have come to know from all you guys. now i feel that i should go for note 2 (brand new)
in case if i buy note 2 . what i am loosing ? i mean anything special with note 3 i can get for daily use?
i think both the device are almost same, only difference that note 3 does it faster.is that true?

xclub_101 said:
IMHO top on the list:
- check if it is not a fake Note 3
- check if the model works for your country/carrier (huge problem in some places of the world, including US, where the LTE or even 3G bands are different from one carrier to another)
- check if phone is not under contract; if you have any doubts see if you can pay with a credit card or something that can cover your loss if the owner later (usually 45+ days later) reports the phone stolen and your IMEI gets blacklisted.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am experiencing this right now. I bought a Note 3 on Swappa in November and a few days ago it was blocked (you can read the full story in my thread). It's a crappy thing to go through. Now i'm scrambling to find a way to not have a useless phone or lose lots of money selling it.
IF you (OP) can, I would say to just save the extra money and get it straight from T-Mobile. If it's a phone you will keep for a couple of years, then the extra $150 or so is worth it for the piece of mind imho.
As for the Note 2 vs Note 3, the Note 3 is faster yes, but it also has a larger 1080p screen (vs 720p on the Note 2). I think the battery life is better as well.
If you don't really need the larger screen on the Note 3, you might want to check out the Nexus 5 as well.

Besides dead pixels, also check for "Burn in" on the amoled screen..
*#0*# and spend some time checking the screen on all the colors (blue, red, green, white)

Techngro said:
I am experiencing this right now. I bought a Note 3 on Swappa in November and a few days ago it was blocked (you can read the full story in my thread). It's a crappy thing to go through. Now i'm scrambling to find a way to not have a useless phone or lose lots of money selling it.
IF you (OP) can, I would say to just save the extra money and get it straight from T-Mobile. If it's a phone you will keep for a couple of years, then the extra $150 or so is worth it for the piece of mind imho.
As for the Note 2 vs Note 3, the Note 3 is faster yes, but it also has a larger 1080p screen (vs 720p on the Note 2). I think the battery life is better as well.
If you don't really need the larger screen on the Note 3, you might want to check out the Nexus 5 as well.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks .
i saw your thread ,i feel bad for what happened with you . thanks for the kind info. BTW did you sell your phone?
and yes ,i dont need a larger screen (as it is slightly bigger and better) i think i would be happy with note 2 screen
anything else can i miss?except the fastness and the screen?

Note 3 also has a newer and better wacom digitzer so a better s pen than note 2. It looks better to. And more future proof. But note 2 is still a very good phone.
Sent from Note 3 SM-N9005

nicholes said:
Thanks .
i saw your thread ,i feel bad for what happened with you . thanks for the kind info. BTW did you sell your phone?
and yes ,i dont need a larger screen (as it is slightly bigger and better) i think i would be happy with note 2 screen
anything else can i miss?except the fastness and the screen?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I am trying to get it unlocked first and see whether I can use it on a smaller carrier like Straight Talk or Simple Mobile. If not, I might end up just getting a cheap $99 4G phone and tethering the Note 3 like a tablet. Sucks, but there aren't many good choices left.

Techngro said:
I am trying to get it unlocked first and see whether I can use it on a smaller carrier like Straight Talk or Simple Mobile. If not, I might end up just getting a cheap $99 4G phone and tethering the Note 3 like a tablet. Sucks, but there aren't many good choices left.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i am in india . do you think your phone can work here?
if yes ,i think we can have a deal.
EDIT:- let me think .. let me confirm. your phone is completetly in working condition , only you cannot make or receive phone calls. is it?
does wifi works.
can you make internet working with another mobile using hotsopt?
if yes i would buy your phone please dont sell it to any other person . i will be highly obliged to you if you give me your phone.

I dont know if this will help, but it might be worth a shot.
If you buy a used phone, and the previous owner pulls a fast one with customer service, ask customer service if there is a way you can verify the legitimate sale of the device. I would not suggest buying a used phone from online stores if you can avoid it.
One way you can prevent sellers from getting over on you, is to notify the website you used to buy the phone, that the seller is engaging in illegal behavior. In the USA, once you sell a product, unless otherwise stated in the TOS/EULA/Copyright, etc, you no longer own it. This is especially true, when you are buying a product in any condition, from any party other than a licensed retailer and/or the company who branded and/or created the product.
Some websites like Ebay and Paypal will help to protect the funds you used to purchase the device, if the seller engages in such behavior. It is best to report any incidents as soon as possible, after the problem arises. The seller may not be indemnified if they report the device stolen after the normal refund period offered by Ebay, Paypal, etc. In the USA, it is illegal to deface, or cause to be defaced, any material or non material product which you do not legally own and/or have permission from the owner to deface and/or make changes to. Any intentional or avoidable (in good faith) act/s which cause a product to no longer work as it did at the time of purchase is considered defacing, or causing to be defaced. There are no criminal liabilities here, but, if Paypal/Ebay/Swappa/etc, wont help you, then you might be able to regain your lost funds in the form of civil damages.
Please keep in mind im speaking from the point of USA laws and regulations.

nicholes said:
i am in india . do you think your phone can work here?
if yes ,i think we can have a deal.
EDIT:- let me think .. let me confirm. your phone is completetly in working condition , only you cannot make or receive phone calls. is it?
does wifi works.
can you make internet working with another mobile using hotsopt?
if yes i would buy your phone please dont sell it to any other person . i will be highly obliged to you if you give me your phone.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I'll send you a PM.

How can I check authenticity?

I live in the UK and was looking to buy a used LG G2.
Before I hand over cash, is there a way I can ensure it is real?

You can check the status of the imei / ESN on swappa .
Swappa.com/esn
Sent from my LG-D800 using Tapatalk

Zzk2009 said:
I live in the UK and was looking to buy a used LG G2.
Before I hand over cash, is there a way I can ensure it is real?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
you can check the back of the phone down where is something written,Check settings about phone, Check apps,Camera app to make sure its an real LG,Just browse several things like apps etc.
Its high unlikely that you find an exactly cloned LG, On almost all clones a different brand is mentioned and additional things are added.
Also ask the seller how he got it and from where before handing over the cash and or if its second hand he still got like the bill maybe.

Just got a Note 3. Have two queries

I just got the N9005. It was purchased from eBay, which I don't trust at all, so I want to check the authenticity of the product, which app is there is make sure the product I have is authentic/genuine? Other than app, any other things I shall check?
Also I am scared about this region lock thing. It's a N9005, unlocked version from Europe, and I am in India, so SIM card might not work, so is there any way around that, to get rid of the region lock?
Thanks in advance.

Try "Phone info" from play store

Download CPU-Z from store and see the specifications. Also download Antutu benchmark and run it. You should get a very high score.

devilsdouble said:
I just got the N9005. It was purchased from eBay, which I don't trust at all, so I want to check the authenticity of the product, which app is there is make sure the product I have is authentic/genuine? Other than app, any other things I shall check?
Also I am scared about this region lock thing. It's a N9005, unlocked version from Europe, and I am in India, so SIM card might not work, so is there any way around that, to get rid of the region lock?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, as suggested, use CPU-Z, Antutu and Phone INFO ★Samsung★ app to check.
In 'Phone INFO ★Samsung★' app, open the Menu > 'Refurbishment Check'.
And test hardware functionality with the secret code *#0*#

devilsdouble said:
I just got the N9005. It was purchased from eBay, which I don't trust at all, so I want to check the authenticity of the product, which app is there is make sure the product I have is authentic/genuine? Other than app, any other things I shall check?
Also I am scared about this region lock thing. It's a N9005, unlocked version from Europe, and I am in India, so SIM card might not work, so is there any way around that, to get rid of the region lock?
Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Happy to hear u got ur n9005. Is it in good condition? N genuine one? Have u checked ur sim working in both 2g n 3g? I too plan n9005 from eBay but totally confused about fake note 3.if I can't trust I'll go to Samsung show room n I'll buy the poor n9000.plz friend reply me.
Sent from my GT-I9300 using Tapatalk

Okay, thanks all, for recommending those apps. Now kindly check for the results. My idiot brain sees everything transparent here, but maybe something else is there (It's like I am trying to prove it a fake, LOL)
The screenshots are attached, kindly have a look at them. If there is any other thing I should check kindly say that too.
@a_prabhu7: Judging by the screenshots I think that the phone is absolutely original. But let the others confirm first mate.

It's genuine.

Pagnell said:
It's genuine.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can't utter how much relief those two words brought
The device is meant for UAE markets if I see right.

devilsdouble said:
Can't utter how much relief those two words brought
The device is meant for UAE markets if I see right.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For more check you may need to show the plate (sticker) on the back of the phone, behind the battery.
And also check if the IMEI and S/N on that sticker match with those in Phone INFO app. And scan the bar code and make sure it match with the IMEI.
Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Buying a used S4, What should i look for?

Hi all,
I want to buy a used s4 as i currently have no phone. I was just wondering what i should look for, what carrier has locked bootloaders etc because i want to root and flash custom roms. I will look for the physical things like scrratches but what should i look for in the software.
Im in the UK so the carriers are different and the model would probably be the GT-19505.
Thanks

xOutcasTx said:
Hi all,
I want to buy a used s4 as i currently have no phone. I was just wondering what i should look for, what carrier has locked bootloaders etc because i want to root and flash custom roms. I will look for the physical things like scrratches but what should i look for in the software.
Im in the UK so the carriers are different and the model would probably be the GT-19505.
Thanks
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
AT&T and Verizon (VZW?) have locked bootloader.
Make sure it is a genuine S4 and not a fake one. I guess the only way to spot one is too take a good look at the software.
Download an app to display hardware info if you can. That way you can make sure it has the right parts.

Even better, try to get into download mode and read the device's model number. If you're able to get into download mode, the S4 is genuine. But GDReaper's advice to get a hardware app like Samsung Info is a good one. There are plenty of unscrupulous sellers out there who will take a riffbox, convert an AT&T S4 into an I9500 or I9505 by transferring the IMEI from a dead I9500/9505 to the AT&T S4 (with bad IMEI), then try and hide the origin of the S4 by installing European firmware. The purchaser wonders why things aren't working right, and we end up having to tell them what they really bought.
If you're in the UK, you want an I9505 or the Black Edition variant. None of the I9505 devices have locked bootloaders, so you'll have no worries about modding the hell out of the phone unlike here in the US. For best results, you want to go through Swappa, because of Swappa's guarantees against shenanigans.

Thanks i was going to buy it from cash converters as it is close and i can actually check out the phone.

If you can check out the phone, that's even better. Most of the time I recommend Swappa because here in the US, other than in pawn shops and Game Stop, there really aren't places that sell used devices.

Authenticity of the phone?

I've recently bought this phone from a 3rd seller who said that the phone was an original that came from China. But I've started having doubts if I made the right purchase from the right seller. There has been no complains from other users, but I doubt they're the kind of people that could differentiate an original from a counterfeit even if their lives depended on it.
What I want to ask, is there any way to verify what the seller promised? That the cellphone is in fact an original moto?
Cheers!

Darlenix said:
I've recently bought this phone from a 3rd seller who said that the phone was an original that came from China. But I've started having doubts if I made the right purchase from the right seller. There has been no complains from other users, but I doubt they're the kind of people that could differentiate an original from a counterfeit even if their lives depended on it.
What I want to ask, is there any way to verify what the seller promised? That the cellphone is in fact an original moto?
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use these apps
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=diewland.testing.phone
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.antutu.ABenchMark
It will show your phone's config

Hey, thanks for replying!
What am I supposed to be checking exactly?

Moto phones rarely have clones because they're not the kind of phones most people sought-after like the iPhone or Galaxies
Sent from my XT1562 using XDA-Developers mobile app