Buying a used smartwatch? Battery and pairing come first.
A used Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch is a good buy when the battery holds, it is unpaired from the old phone, and the band fits. We check all three with you.
A used smartwatch, Apple Watch or Galaxy Watch, is a good buy when the battery holds a charge, it is unpaired from the previous owner, and the band and case fit your wrist and phone. We sell used smartwatches at seven Lehigh Valley stores, so you can test all of this at the counter first.
Written by the technicians at Quick Cellphone Repair. This is how we handle this job at our seven Lehigh Valley stores — not a generic web article.
We have sold used smartwatches in the Lehigh Valley since 2015, from seven stores open 10 AM to 8 PM every day. A watch is a small computer, so the checks matter. Pairing lock first, because an Apple Watch tied to the old owner's iCloud or a Galaxy Watch on their account will not pair to your phone until it is released. Battery next, since watch cells are tiny and age fast; we charge it and watch it climb. Compatibility, because an Apple Watch needs an iPhone and a Galaxy Watch pairs best with Android, so the watch must match the phone you already own. The case size and band fit, which you try on at the counter. The condition grade, Brand New, Like New, Good, or Fair, is on the tag. The device sales policy is the warranty for the watch itself.
Pairing lock and the phone it needs
A used smartwatch has to be released from the previous owner before it will pair to you. An Apple Watch must be unpaired and removed from their iCloud and Activation Lock. A Galaxy Watch must be cleared from their Samsung and Google accounts.
We verify this at the counter so the watch pairs to your phone before you leave. A locked watch is the most common mistake people make buying privately, and it is the one we rule out first.
Match the watch to your phone, too. An Apple Watch needs an iPhone to work; a Galaxy Watch pairs best with Android. Buying the wrong pairing is an expensive lesson, so we confirm your phone first.
Battery, size, and band fit
Smartwatch batteries are tiny and age faster than a phone's, so this is the check that matters most day to day. We charge the watch at the counter and watch it climb, and we are honest if the cell looks tired.
Case size changes both the look and the battery life. A larger case usually lasts longer on a charge and is easier to read; a smaller case sits better on a slim wrist. Try the watch on before you decide.
Bands are easy to swap and cheap to replace, so a worn band is never a reason to pass on a good watch. We carry bands as accessories, so you can leave with one that fits.
Grade, price, and what comes next
The condition grade, Brand New through Fair, is on the tag. A Good-grade watch with light wear and a healthy battery is often the best value, since the scuffs hide under a band and a charge still lasts the day.
Compare what is in stock on shop watches. A used smartwatch pairs naturally with a phone from the same brand, so the used iPhone or used Android phone guide is a sensible next read.
The device sales policy is the warranty for the watch you buy, separate from repair warranty. Bring the watch and receipt back to the same store if something is wrong, and we will sort it out with you.
The other guide
A good case and a real charger save you a repair bill. Here is which phone accessories are worth buying and which ones quietly damage your phone.
Phone Accessories Worth BuyingFrequently asked questions
Answers about used smartwatch at our seven Lehigh Valley stores.
It must be released from the previous owner. An Apple Watch has to be unpaired and off their iCloud and Activation Lock; a Galaxy Watch has to be cleared from their Samsung and Google accounts. We verify this at the counter so the watch pairs to your own phone before you leave.
Walk in with the phone. We quote before we start.
Seven Lehigh Valley stores, 10 AM to 8 PM. Most in-stock screen and battery jobs finish in 30 to 60 minutes.