Monthly Archives - November 2020

Avoid Scammer

Buying a Used Smartphone: How to Spot a Scammer

“Gently Used,” “Pre-Owned,” and “Second-Hand” are all terms that people are typically wary of when purchasing a smartphone. But it’s not the “used” aspect of the phones that should make buyers cautious—it’s the potential scams they might face in the buying process.

Quick reminder: Cellular Magician has smartphone buy/sell services you can trust. We offer reasonable prices, detailed phone descriptions, and exceptional customer service.

Scammers and frauds are everywhere in the technology world, so in this blog, we list a few red flags to be on the lookout for when buying a pre-owned phone.

Strangely Low Prices

In your search for an affordable used smartphone, you stumble upon an iPhone 11 for $50. Sound too good to be true? Then it probably is! If there is no explanation as to why the phone is listed at such a low price, it probably means the seller is being intentionally ambiguous to hide issues with the phone. That doesn’t mean you’ll never find a pre-owned phone at an affordable price, though. Safe, reputable device sales happen all the time. You just have to find the right seller!

No Customer Reviews

If the seller or the shop has little to no reviews on their website or other review sites, they are likely a fake shop or unfair seller. Before purchasing a phone from them, do some research to see if you can find any customer feedback or customer reviews. Google, Facebook, and Yelp might be a good place to start. If you can’t find any customer feedback or if the feedback you do find is extremely negative, don’t proceed with your phone purchase. The seller or the business probably doesn’t actually exist and is just attempting to scam you.

No Photos of the Device

Another red flag is a used phone listing without photos of the device or a listing that uses stock photos instead of photos of the actual phone they are selling. The seller likely 1) doesn’t have the phone they claim to be selling or 2) is attempting to hide exterior issues with the phone (cracked screen, water damage, faulty charging port, etc.).

Cleverly Worded Descriptions

Cleverly worded descriptions are a huge sign that the seller is a scammer, especially if they are also unwilling to meet you in person. Tricky descriptions could include phrasing like “iPhone 8 Box & Instructions,” which sounds like you will receive the iPhone itself, the box, and the phone’s instructions. A scammer, however, uses phrasing like this to make you believe you are getting a phone when you are only getting a box and instructions.

Refusal to Meet In Person

When you meet the seller in person, you have the opportunity to make sure the phone is not fake, locked, or severely damaged. If the seller refuses to meet in person or suggests an unsafe place to meet, they are likely a scammer. That’s why we suggest purchasing a pre-owned phone from a reputable, trustworthy cell phone repair shop.

Did you know? Cellular Magician doesn’t just offer computer repair and cell phone repair. We also offer a variety of device sales. Stop by our store and let us know what kind of pre-owned phone you’re looking for. We’re happy to help!

Have a broken Phone you need fixed? Get an instant repair quote HERE!

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Sneak Peek: The Latest Apple iPhone Release

It’s official! The iPhone 12 is here, and it has some incredible features for both Apple lovers and Apple newbies alike. Launched on October 23, the iPhone 12 has a family of four models: the iPhone 12, the iPhone 12 Mini, the iPhone 12 Pro, and the iPhone 12 Pro Max. In this blog, we’ll cover the need-to-knows of each model. By the end of the blog, you’ll want to get your hands on one of these—trust us!

(Quick reminder before we get started: Our technicians are continuously trained on new Apple models as they are released. So if you ever experience any issues with your iPhone 12 or any other iPhone model, we’ve got you covered with our Apple iPhone repair experts!)

The iPhone 12

The iPhone 12 is a huge technological success, boasting a new design, exceptional dual-lens cameras, 5G connectivity, and a solid battery life. As far as iPhones go, it is the future! Its exciting new features include:

Design – Unlike the rounded edges of previous iPhones, the iPhone 12’s edges are flat, making it more comfortable to grip and hold. Perhaps the most exciting design aspect of the iPhone 12, however, is its color options—black, white, deep blue, light green, and red.

Display – The iPhone 12’s Super Retina XDR display makes colors intense and lifelike, transforming the viewing experience into something truly incomparable.

And more!

The iPhone 12 Mini

The iPhone 12 Mini is almost identical to the iPhone 12, holding all of the same features in a smaller, sleeker package. The iPhone 12 features a 6.1 inch display, while the Mini features a 5.4 inch display, making it the smallest iPhone since the iPhone SE. Its compact size is perfect for those who have been looking for a phone they can use one-handed. A couple of other features of the iPhone 12 Mini include:

Water Resistance – Less graceful iPhone users will be happy to discover that the iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini can withstand up to six meters of water for up to thirty minutes. This means they can withstand rain, spills, and other common accidents with no problem! No one likes needing iPhone water damage repair, so this feature is a gamechanger.

Drop Protection – The iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Mini have four times stronger drop protection than other iPhone models due to the “ceramic shield” material protecting them. Ceramic shield is known as one of the toughest, most durable smartphone glasses. With a ceramic shield, you will rarely be in need of iPhone screen repair!

The iPhone 12 Pro

Photographer lovers, this one is for you! The iPhone 12 Pro offers advanced triple-camera setups and other photography features such as:

Telephoto Lens – This third telephoto lens is only a feature of the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models. This lens is designed for taking accurate, precise images of distant objects.

Night Mode – Although the Night Mode feature is on the iPhone 11, Night Mode on the iPhone 12 Pro is a part of the ultra-wide camera, standard wide camera, and the front camera. This allows you to take low-light photos that are crisper without having to use the flash.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max

The iPhone 12 Pro Max offers almost all of the same features as the iPhone 12 Pro, except it boasts a larger and better display, battery, and camera system. Other features include:

A Wider Wide Camera – You read that right! The iPhone 12 Pro Max’s wide camera is even more improved with a 47% larger sensor and pixels.

Sensor-Shift Stabilization – Yet another incredible camera feature, sensor-shift stabilization makes your pictures and videos steadier. Say goodbye to blurry photos!

Convinced yet that you want to upgrade to one of these beauties? Whether you’re looking for a new iPhone, looking for iPhone repair help, or just looking to learn more, Cellular Magician is here to help!

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