ASU Student's Guide to Buying a Used iPhone

Why Used iPhones Make Sense for Students

A new iPhone 16 Pro starts at $999. A used iPhone 14 from a student who just upgraded runs $450–$550. They run the same apps, look nearly identical to most people, and will get iOS updates for at least another two years.

For a student budget, the math isn't complicated. The used market for iPhones is large and relatively safe — if you know what to check.

Which Model to Buy in 2026

Here's a quick rundown of the value tiers in the current used market:

iPhone 15 / 15 Plus: Released in late 2023. Used prices: $550–$700. USB-C port (finally), Dynamic Island, excellent cameras. Will receive iOS updates through at least 2028. This is the sweet spot if your budget allows.

iPhone 14 / 14 Plus: Released late 2022. Used prices: $400–$520. Still fully capable. Good for another 2–3 years of updates.

iPhone 13: Released 2021. Used prices: $280–$380. Getting older but still functional. Good choice if budget is genuinely tight. Will likely stop receiving major iOS updates in 2026 or 2027.

iPhone 12 or older: Skip unless the price is extremely low ($150 or less). These are getting close to the end of software support and the battery condition on most used units is poor.

The Full Inspection Checklist

Before you hand over any money, do all of this:

Step 1: Verify It's Not Activation Locked

Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings. If it asks for the previous owner's Apple ID, the phone is activation locked to someone else's account. This is either theft or a seller oversight — either way, do not buy it until the seller removes their Apple ID (they can do it remotely via icloud.com).

Alternatively, check the serial number at checkcoverage.apple.com.

Step 2: Check Battery Health

Settings > Battery > Battery Health & Charging. You want to see 85% or higher for a fair-priced used phone. Below 80% means the battery may not last a full day — a battery replacement at Apple costs $99, which changes the economics of the purchase.

Step 3: Check for Water Damage

Look in the SIM card tray slot with your phone's flashlight. You'll see a small indicator — it should be white. If it's pink or red, the phone has been water damaged at some point.

Step 4: Test Face ID / Touch ID

Lock the phone and try unlocking with your own face or finger. It obviously won't work (it's set to the previous owner's biometrics), but you can tell if the sensors are functional by whether it attempts to scan and gives the standard "try again" prompt.

Actually confirm Face ID with the current owner present: have them unlock it with their face, then ask them to reset Face ID (Settings > Face ID & Passcode > Reset Face ID) so you can set it up for yourself.

Step 5: Test the Cameras

Open the camera app and test front and rear cameras, portrait mode, and video. Look for fuzzy spots, persistent lint, or autofocus issues.

Step 6: Check the Screen

No dead pixels (show a solid white image)
No persistent burn-in (show a solid gray — burn-in appears as ghost images)
Confirm it's the original display, not a third-party replacement: on iPhone 12+, go to Settings > General > About — if it says "Important Display Message," it's been replaced with a non-Apple part. Not necessarily a dealbreaker, but factor it into price.

Step 7: Check All Ports and Buttons

Lightning or USB-C port: plug in a cable and verify it charges and recognizes the cable
Volume buttons, ringer switch, power button: all should click and respond
Speakers: play audio through both speaker and ear speaker
Microphone: make a short voice memo

Step 8: Check for Carrier Lock

Dial *#06# to see the IMEI. Then go to Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. "No SIM restrictions" means it's unlocked and will work with any carrier. If it's locked to Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile, it'll only work on that carrier unless it was paid off and unlocked — ask the seller to confirm.

What to Pay

Use these as rough guides for Tempe/ASU market prices in 2026:

iPhone 16: $750–$900 (barely used)
iPhone 15: $550–$700
iPhone 14: $400–$520
iPhone 13: $280–$380
iPhone SE (3rd gen): $200–$280

Prices drop with battery health, cosmetic damage, and storage tier. A 128GB iPhone 14 at 78% battery should be priced lower than one at 91% — don't be shy about pointing that out.

Meetup Safety

Meet in a public spot and bring a charger to do your testing. The ASU Police Department parking lot on Mill is a designated Safe Exchange Zone. Budget 15–20 minutes for the inspection — a seller who won't give you time to check things properly is a red flag.

The used iPhone market between ASU students is generally pretty reliable, especially around upgrade season (fall, when new iPhones drop) and graduation (spring). Platforms like ASU List see a fair number of listings from students who upgraded and are selling their previous phone in solid condition.