Expert: Roberto Serrano - 5/19/2008

Question
QUESTION: How do I check a used cell phone is working?
I have been offered an old Motorola T720 Cell phone for AT&T. How do I check the phone is working properly as it probably hasn't been used in a while. I only plan to use the phone once a year at most. From what I understand with AT&T I just need to a buy a simm card with minutes and activate the phone at no cost. Does this make sense to you?

ANSWER: Hello Stan,

The first thing you should do is check the phone physically to see if there is any physical damage to the device. If the phone is physically ok remove the battery on the back end of the phone you will see a circular sticker it should be the color white if it is red pink or any color other than red the phone has water damage or humidity damage do not purchase the phone. If the phones sticker is white the phone is in working order. The battery should also have a white label on it but please do not be alarmed if it does not because not all batteries have labels. If the battery does have a  label if it is any other color other than white it will not work it may work now but will be a matter of time before the phone does not work. Please put your sim card into the phone power on and make sure that the phones buttons all work. Also make sure there are no dead pixels on the screen. Check the phone play with it for a bit and also make sure the charging port has no white corrosion on it also make sure that the charging port also has no rust. If all is in working order please purchase the phone if something is wrong then the phone will not work or it will only be a matter of time. I hope that I have been of help to you please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any further questions. Thank you for your question.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your previous answer.

How can I check it if I haven't gotten a simm card yet?
I don't want to buy one until I get the phone.


Answer
Hello Stan,

You actually need the sim card you you can not check without a sim card. You can actually go to a cell phone store and they should have some dead sim cards which will allow you to test out the phone. If the phone is an at&t phone go to an at&t store if the phone is a t-mobile phone go to the t-mobile store please make sure to take your phone in case they don't have any dead sim cards they can test your phone with a live sim card. I hope that I have been of help and remember if you have any other questions please feel free to ask. Thank you for your question.