Second-hand iPhone recycling valuation + complete guide to inspecting and preventing pitfalls
Are you afraid of being scammed when buying and selling second-hand iPhones? Inspecting the machine, checking the lock, and comparing prices are indispensable. This article explains clearly what Aisi checks to see, how to check the three locks, what M/N/F is, and how to estimate the price without being "quoted at a high price and then cut off."
1. Step one: What to look for in the AISI machine inspection report
Connect to the computer and open the AISI machine inspection report, focusing on these items (if any is unreasonable, investigate further):
- Are the four serial numbers original?: Screen, battery, front and rear cameras, motherboard - marked in red = non-original/replaced. inThe motherboard + camera + Face ID are marked red at the same time. It is very likely that the motherboard has been replaced and then given up.。
- Battery cycling and health: It is extremely unreasonable to use it for 1-2 years but only have dozens of cycles (for details, seeBattery health check）。
- Storage capacity consistent: Anti-256 to 512 expansion machine.
- Activation date + model initials + place of sale: Determine whether it is refurbished/official replacement/locked.
⚠️ Reminder: All green ≠ Original without repair, change to green / replace with original disassembled parts and still remain all green, see detailsIs Aisi All Green original?. Machine inspection is only the first threshold, and must be coordinated with manual testing and official website inquiries.
2. Step 2: Check the three locks (don’t buy even one)
Three locks are the biggest pitfall of second-hand iPhones - locked machines can range from being unable to use certain functions to being directly bricked. Find out one by one:
3. Model initials M/N/F and sales place
Settings > General > About this machine > Model number, look at the first letter to determine "identity":
| initials | meaning | illustrate |
|---|---|---|
| M | Brand new retail machine | Normal purchase goal |
| N | Official replacement | The machine was replaced by a brand new one after the sale, which is also normal. |
| F | Official refurbished machine | If refurbished, the price should be lower, don’t buy it as if it’s brand new. |
| Others (such as starting with 3) | Demo/Special Channel | Judgment based on activation date and warranty |
Recombineplace of sale(Whether there is a locked version), activation date and warranty status are comprehensively judged.
4. Step Three: Offline Measurement + Anti-Trading
- Actual measurement: Erase and restart to see if someone else's ID pops up; play a 4K video to test the heat; test Face ID, touch, front and rear cameras, microphone speakers, and buttons one by one; check the gap between the body screws and the middle frame of the screen for any pry marks.
- trade: Refuse to remit money privately or use platform guarantee; the price is lower than the market price20%+There are many tricks; the sellerRefusal to give serial number/IMEIJust give up.
- The most authoritative: Use the serial number to check activation/warranty on Apple’s official website if necessary.GSX Original Repair Records。
5. How to use AISI valuation/recycling
Aisi'sEquipment depreciation assessmentBased on tens of millions of transaction data + machine learning, a report can be generated in about 10 minutes, and real-time price comparisons can be made across multiple platforms to provide recommendations on the best selling opportunities. Dealers can also conduct batch evaluations. Sellers use it to set prices more confidently; buyers use it to compare prices and avoid the routine of "quoting a high price on the page, going to the door/inspecting the machine and then bargaining". The official recycling price is for reference only (domestic recycling prices will overall decrease in 2026).
FAQ
How to use Aisi to inspect a second-hand iPhone?
Check whether the four serial numbers of screen/battery/front and rear camera/motherboard are original (marked in red=replaced), battery cycle health, consistent capacity, activation date, and then test Face ID/touch/camera/microphone/buttons and disassembly marks offline.
How to check the three locks?
ID lock: Exit ID, erase and restart to see if other people's accounts can be accessed; Network lock: Only when different SIMs are inserted can it be used without lock; Supervision lock: MDM, check the serial number at GSX. Don't buy any of them.
What does it mean if it starts with M/N/F?
M=retail new, N=official for new, F=official reprint. Take M as normal retail, do not treat refurbished products as brand new; judge based on the activation date and warranty.
How is Aisi valued?
Use equipment depreciation assessment, tens of millions of transaction data + machine learning to generate a report in about 10 minutes and compare prices on multiple platforms. Be careful of recyclers who "quote high prices and then bargain."
How to prevent pitfalls and fraud?
Take guaranteed transactions, be wary of low prices of 20%+, give up directly if you refuse to give the serial number, GSX is the most authoritative to check maintenance records, generate a watermarked machine inspection PDF to build trust.
Machine inspection principle and full green truthIs Aisi All Green original?;Battery cycle/how to see healthBattery health check;For complete test items, seeDetailed explanation of machine inspection. Please go to the official websiteDownload the genuine Aisi Assistant, do not use the green version (it may tamper with the inspection readings).
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Detailed explanation of machine inspection Is the all green color original? Battery health check Aisi vs 3uTools Download Aisi Assistant
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