Guides & JournalBuying Used AirPods, Smart Watches & Gadgets
To check original AirPods before buying, look up the serial number on Apple's coverage website, check the pairing animation and battery levels on an iPhone, and compare the build quality with genuine AirPods — copies are very common in Pakistan. Smart watches, headphones, cameras and iPads each have their own weak spots too: batteries, account locks and hidden damage. This guide covers the most searched used gadgets one by one, with the quick checks that separate a good deal from a copy or a dud.
1. Used AirPods: original or copy?
AirPods copies can look almost identical in photos, and some even show a pairing pop-up. These checks catch most of them.
Already have them? How to Connect AirPods to Android, Step by Step and How to Clean AirPods and the Case at Home.
- Serial number — open the case near an iPhone, go to Settings → Bluetooth → the ⓘ next to the AirPods to see the serial number, and look it up on Apple's coverage check. It should match the serial printed inside the case lid.
- Pairing — genuine AirPods show the case and both earbuds' battery levels on an iPhone, and let you rename them and change settings.
- Features — on AirPods Pro, test noise cancellation and transparency mode; copies often only pretend to.
- Build — genuine cases close with a firm, smooth magnetic snap; loose hinges and rough seams are a warning sign.
- Battery — listen for a while to check each earbud holds charge; old AirPods often have one weak earbud.
⚠️ Careful here
"Master copy" and "first copy" are just other words for fake. If the price is a fraction of genuine AirPods, assume a copy.
2. Used smart watches
For an Apple Watch, the most important check is that it is unpaired and removed from the seller's Apple ID — otherwise Activation Lock stops you using it. Ask the seller to unpair it from their iPhone in front of you, then pair it with yours.
For any smart watch, check battery life (ask how long it lasts on a charge), the screen for scratches or dead spots, the heart-rate sensor on the back, the buttons and crown, and that the charger is included — some chargers are specific to the model.
3. Used headphones
Test both sides with the same song, at low and high volume, and listen for crackling or one side quieter than the other. For wireless headphones, check Bluetooth pairing, the microphone on a call, noise cancellation if it has it, and how long the battery lasts. Worn ear cushions are cheap to replace; a failing battery or broken hinge is not.
4. Used cameras and DSLRs
Cameras are built to last, but check them properly.
| Check | Why |
|---|---|
| Shutter count | Like a car's mileage — ask for it and compare with the model's expected shutter life |
| Sensor | Take a photo of a plain sky or white wall at a small aperture to spot dust or marks |
| Lens | Look through it against light for fungus, haze or scratches; test autofocus |
| Screen and buttons | Every button and dial works; the screen has no dead areas |
| Battery and charger | The battery holds charge; the charger is included |
5. Used iPads and tablets
An iPad needs the same account check as an iPhone: it must be signed out of iCloud with Find My turned off, then erased in front of you. Check the model and storage in Settings → General → About, test the screen with a drawing app for dead touch areas, check battery life, and test the Apple Pencil if it is included.
If the iPad has a SIM slot, the PTA rules for phones apply to mobile data — see How to Check if a Mobile Is PTA Approved. For Android tablets, remove the seller's Google account to avoid FRP lock.
6. Chargers, cables and small accessories
Cheap copies of chargers and cables are everywhere, and a bad charger can damage a battery. Ask whether accessories are original, check brand markings and build quality, and be careful with a "fast charger" that costs very little.
7. Paying safely for gadgets
Small gadgets are the easiest items to fake and to post, which makes them popular with online scammers. Ask for a video of the item working, check serial numbers where you can, and avoid sending an advance to a personal account. On dapxop, sellers state the condition of every item, advances are paid to dapxop and checked before an order goes to the seller, and you can report a problem after delivery.
For phones, laptops and consoles, see the complete guide to buying used electronics in Pakistan.
More guides in this series: How to Check a Used iPhone Before Buying, How to Check a Used Laptop Before Buying and Buying a Used PS4 or PS5 in Pakistan.
Shop small sellers across Pakistan with the condition stated on every listing.
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Frequently asked
How can I check if AirPods are original?
Find the serial number in the iPhone's Bluetooth settings or inside the case lid and look it up on Apple's coverage check website. Genuine AirPods also show both earbuds' and the case's battery levels and let you change settings on an iPhone.
Is it safe to buy used AirPods?
It can be, if you confirm they are original and both earbuds hold charge. Copies are very common, so check the serial number and test them before paying.
What should I check on a used Apple Watch?
Make sure it is unpaired and removed from the seller's Apple ID so Activation Lock is off, then check battery life, the screen, the buttons and crown, and that the charger is included.
What is shutter count on a used camera?
Shutter count is how many photos the camera has taken, similar to mileage on a car. A lower count usually means less wear, so compare it with the expected shutter life of that model.
What should I check before buying a used iPad?
Check it is signed out of iCloud with Find My off, the model and storage, the screen with a drawing app, battery life, and the Apple Pencil if included.
Are master copy AirPods original?
No. Master copy and first copy mean the AirPods are not genuine Apple products, however close they look.