Buying a used tablet, iPad or Android, done right.
A used iPad or Android tablet is a great buy when the battery, the account lock, and the glass all check out. We run those checks with you at the counter.
A used tablet, iPad or Android, is a smart buy when the battery is healthy, the account is signed out, and the screen is clean. We sell used tablets at seven Lehigh Valley stores, and you can test every one of these points at the counter before you spend a single dollar.
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 tablets in the Lehigh Valley since 2015, from seven stores open 10 AM to 8 PM every day. The checks are close to a phone but not identical. Account lock first, since an iPad needs the old owner signed out of iCloud and an Android tablet needs the Google account removed, or the slate locks on setup. Battery next, which we charge and watch at the counter. The screen, because a large pane shows cracks, dead touch zones, and backlight problems clearly. Wi-Fi only or cellular, so you buy the model that matches how you use it. A clean IMEI on cellular models, read in front of you. The condition grade, Brand New, Like New, Good, or Fair, is on the tag. The device sales policy is the warranty for the tablet. A cracked pane is a repair we can quote the same visit.
Account lock is the first check
A used tablet with the previous owner's account still on it is a paperweight. An iPad must have the old owner signed out of iCloud so Activation Lock is clear. An Android tablet must have the Google account removed so Factory Reset Protection does not trigger.
We verify this at the counter before you pay, every time. The tablet should set up clean to your own account from the first start. If it asks for someone else's password, we do not sell it until that is cleared.
This is the single check people forget, and it is the one that turns a good deal into a brick. We never skip it.
Battery, screen, and the right model
Charge the tablet at the counter and watch the percentage move. Tablets have big batteries that age like any other, and a tired one shows up fast when you unplug it. An iPad battery is replaceable, so a low number can mean a lower price.
The screen is the star of a tablet, so inspect it on a bright white page for cracks, dead touch zones, and even backlight. A cracked pane is fixable; our iPad screen repair guide covers what that job involves and when it is worth it.
Decide between Wi-Fi only and cellular before you buy. Cellular models take a SIM and cost more; on those we read the IMEI and confirm it is clean. Most buyers are happy on Wi-Fi only, so match the model to how you actually use it.
Grade, price, and what comes next
The condition grade, Brand New through Fair, is on the tag. A Good-grade iPad with light wear and a solid battery is often the best value on the shelf, especially for reading, video, and browsing.
Compare what is in stock on shop tablets. If you also need a portable computer for real work, the used laptop guide covers that side and the trade-offs against a tablet.
The device sales policy is the warranty for the tablet you buy, separate from repair warranty. Because we repair tablets too, a cracked screen on an otherwise strong unit is often a quick, affordable fix rather than a dealbreaker.
The other guide
An SSD, enough RAM, and a healthy battery matter more than a shiny lid. Here is the short list we run through with you before you buy a used laptop.
Buy a Used Laptop: What MattersFrequently asked questions
Answers about used tablet at our seven Lehigh Valley stores.
The account lock. An iPad needs the previous owner signed out of iCloud; an Android tablet needs their Google account removed. Otherwise the tablet locks on setup and you cannot use it. We verify the account is clear at the counter before you pay, so it sets up as yours.
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.