Good to Know

What Does Refurbished Mean for a Smartphone?

A refurbished smartphone is a pre-owned device that has been inspected, tested, cleaned and prepared for resale. In some cases, parts such as the battery, screen or housing may also be repaired or replaced. But “refurbished” does not always mean the same thing everywhere. A certified refurbished phone from a...
Good to Know

Refurbished vs Used Phone: What’s the Difference?

Buying a second-hand smartphone can save you a lot of money, but not every pre-owned phone is the same. Two terms you will often see are refurbished phone and used phone. They may sound similar, but they can mean very different things when it comes to condition, warranty, battery health,...
Good to Know

Smartphone App Permissions: What Should You Actually Allow?

Every time you install a new app, it may ask for access to parts of your smartphone: camera, microphone, location, contacts, photos, files, notifications or other data. Some permissions are necessary. A navigation app needs location. A video call app needs camera and microphone access. A photo editing app may...
AI

AI in Smartphones: What to Know Before Buying a New or Used Phone

AI is now one of the biggest features in modern smartphones. You can see it in cameras, voice assistants, photo editing, translation, writing tools and search. But “AI phone” can mean many different things, so it is worth understanding what these features actually do before buying a new or used...
Good to Know

Seven Habits That Keep a Smartphone Useful for Longer

A smartphone does not become old overnight. In many cases, a phone starts to feel outdated because of small things that build up over time: poor battery care, too many unused apps, lack of updates, full storage, or simple physical damage. The good news is that you do not need...
SIM

eSIM vs Physical SIM: Which One Is Better?

For many years, connecting a phone to a mobile network meant inserting a small plastic SIM card. Today, an increasing number of smartphones also support eSIM—or use it as their only option. Both technologies provide access to calls, messages and mobile data. However, they differ significantly when it comes to...
About IMEI

Does a VPN Hide or Change Your IMEI?

A VPN can hide your IP address, encrypt internet traffic and make websites think you are connecting from another location. But can it also hide or change your phone’s IMEI? The short answer is no. A VPN does not change your IMEI and does not hide it from your mobile...