Getting former flagship phones is easy these days, thanks to online sellers.
Buying a new phone every year is pricey, especially top-tier models. Plus, some brand-new high-end releases only include minor upgrades with the same or even higher price tags as the previous year.
So, for those who are planning to buy a new smartphone, an old flagship or a mid-range unit? We answered that in the article below.
If you want to go to the former flagship route, where should you buy one? In this article, we share our insights and what you need to know to avoid unwanted encounters. But keep in mind that buying either a new, used, or old device will always come with a risk.
Some Former Flagships to Hunt Down
When we say former flagships, these are smartphones that have been launched with top-tier specs during their time. To differentiate them from mid-range models, former flagships are powered by chipsets that can still dish out reliable performance today, despite their age of five years or more.
We won’t list down all of them but we highlighted four that you can still find among retailers.
Google Pixel 6
Launched in 2021, the Google Pixel 6 Series is an affordable old flagship line for those looking for the Android vanilla experience. It’s still relevant because the series is eligible for Android 14 upgrade.
The handset is powered by the first-generation Google Tensor chipset clocked at 2.8 GHz, and is available in 8+128 GB and 8+256 GB variants. Some of the strong points of the Google Pixel 6 Series include:
- OLED display with HDR10+
- 4K video at 60 FPS (rear camera)
- Corning Gorilla Glass (front and back)
- IP68 dust and water resistance
LG V60 ThinQ
The LG V60 ThinQ is the last V series launched by the South Korean manufacturer. Back in 2020, it was classified a flagship phone powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865. It still scores over 750K AnTuTu points, despite being almost six years since the chipset was announced.
It has unique hardware exclusive where you can attach a second screen for enhanced multitasking. The handset also comes in 8+128 GB and 8+256 GB variants. Some of the strong points of the LG V60 ThinQ include:
- OLED display with HDR10+
- 8K video at 30 FPS (rear camera)
- 4K video at 60 FPS (rear camera)
- 4K video at 30 FPS (front camera)
- Stereo speakers with 3.5 mm headphone jack
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Corning Gorilla Glass
- MIL-STD-810G ruggedness
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
Powered by the Exynos 990 or Snapdragon 865, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra comes with built-in multitasking capabilities thanks to the Galaxy S Pen. It has different variants centered between 8 to 12 GB of RAM and 128 to 512 GB of storage.
Among the Android picks here, this one has the highest main camera megapixels at 108, paired with 12 MP periscope telephoto and 12 MP ultra-wide lenses. Some of the strong points of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra include:
- AMOLED display with HDR10+
- 1.5K resolution with 120Hz refresh rate
- 8K at 24 FPS (rear camera)
- 4K at 60 FPS (rear camera)
- 4K at 60 FPS (front camera)
- Ultrasonic in-display fingerprint
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Corning Gorilla Glass
iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max
Of course, iOS has a representative here and it’s the iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max. They are powered by the Apple A13 Bionic chipset and it can still dish out 879K AnTuTu points.
The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max were launched with up to 512 GB of onboard storage. The 4 GB of RAM might still work on today’s apps and games considering software stability and reliability of iOS. Speaking of iOS, these two are eligible for the upcoming iOS 18!
Some of the strengths of these iPhones include:
- XDR OLED display with HDR10
- 1.5K resolution
- 4K at 60 FPS (rear camera)
- 4K at 60 FPS (front camera)
- IP68 dust and water resistance
- Corning-made glass (front and back)
Where to Buy
Former flagships of four to five years old are discontinued, so don’t expect to find them on official flagship stores or authorized sellers. But you can still find some on Lazada and Shopee. They are less likely to be seen at the TikTok Shop. The most abundant place is Facebook Marketplace where suppliers source units abroad.
Yours truly have acquired the LG V50 ThinQ and its second screen on the Marketplace. The device is solid without major issues. The only thing, which was mentioned by the seller, is the slight dent on the side and it didn’t affect the screen.
Browsing and making a deal are safe but don’t give out any sensitive information. The best way to pay is via GCash and similar apps.
However, the seller should allow you to get the device first for a hands-on experience for several minutes. Once you’re convinced that the device is working properly, you can now pay the seller wirelessly. You’re also likely to pay the delivery rider for bringing the device to you.
While scammers plague online platforms, there are legitimate sellers of old, used, and unopened smartphones. You just have to be very vigilant.
