Alright, guys, let’s dive into my little project of snagging an iPhone 8 for under 100 bucks. It all started with a simple thought – could I actually get a decent, working iPhone without breaking the bank? I mean, I love Apple stuff, but those new prices? Ouch.
The Hunt Begins
First, I scoured the usual online marketplaces. You know, the big ones everyone uses. I set my filters – iPhone 8, used, good condition, and most importantly, a price cap of $100. Initially, it was a bit of a desert. Lots of “for parts” phones, cracked screens, or ones with questionable battery life. Not exactly what I was hoping for.
Then I remembered about those smaller, local online classifieds. Sometimes, you find real gems there – people just wanting to get rid of old tech without a big fuss. And that’s where I struck gold, kinda.
Negotiation Time
I found a listing for an iPhone 8, 64GB, described as “minor scratches, works perfectly.” The asking price? $120. Close, but not quite there. So, I messaged the seller. I explained my $100 budget, and, to my surprise, they were willing to negotiate. We went back and forth a bit, and finally, we settled on $95! Boom.
The Inspection
We met up at a local coffee shop – always a good idea for safety. I inspected the phone carefully. The “minor scratches” were definitely there, but nothing major. The screen was in good shape, no cracks or dead pixels. I checked the battery health in the settings – 82%. Not amazing, but acceptable for the price. I tested the camera, Wi-Fi, speaker, and microphone. Everything seemed to be working just fine.
- Checked physical condition for scratches.
- Confirmed screen had no cracks/dead pixels.
- Verified battery health (82%).
- Tested: Camera, Wi-Fi, Speaker, Microphone.
The Purchase & Post-Purchase Fun
So, I handed over the $95, and just like that, I had an iPhone 8. The next part of my fun begin.
I immediately reset the device to factoy default, making all previous owner’s data and setting all gone. Then, I popped in my SIM card, signed in to my iCloud account, and started the setup. It felt great getting that familiar iOS experience on a phone I got for such a steal.
Final Thoughts
It’s totally possible to get a decent iPhone 8 for under $100, but you gotta be patient, persistent, and a little bit lucky. It’s not going to be brand new, obviously, but if you’re willing to accept a few minor imperfections, you can save a ton of money. My total spending on this iphone 8 under $100 project? $95!