A used phone or tablet is one of the easiest things to buy and sell badly, unless you’re dealing directly with someone local. Montreal Daily’s Phones & Tablets category connects Montreal buyers and sellers without a carrier store markup or a shipping wait. Post your old phone for free, or browse listings for iPhones, Android devices, tablets, and accessories from people selling in your own neighbourhood. Meeting locally also means you can test the device fully before paying, rather than gambling on a listing that shipped from somewhere you’ll never actually see. It also gives you a chance to ask detailed questions about how the device was used day to day, something a warehouse listing simply can’t offer.
What You’ll Find in Phones & Tablets
This category covers current and older iPhones, Samsung and other Android phones, budget devices, and unlocked phones sold without a carrier contract. Tablets show up regularly too, iPads across generations, Android tablets, and e-readers. Accessories are common listings on their own: cases, screen protectors, charging cables, wireless chargers, and replacement batteries. You’ll also see refurbished devices from people who upgrade every year or two and pass along a phone that’s still in strong working condition.
Storage size, carrier lock status, and battery health are the three details that matter most here, and the better listings spell all three out clearly instead of making you ask. Older flagship phones in particular hold up well for everyday use and are a common find for buyers who don’t need the newest release. Screen protectors and cases sized for specific models are also frequently bundled into phone listings, saving buyers an extra purchase right after they take a new device home.
Tips for Buyers
- Check the IMEI status before paying. You can ask the seller for the IMEI number and look it up to confirm the device isn’t reported lost or stolen and isn’t carrier-locked if you need it unlocked.
- Ask for the battery health percentage on iPhones (under Settings, Battery) or a battery diagnostic on Android, since batteries degrade with age regardless of how well the phone was cared for.
- Confirm the seller can log out of iCloud or a Google account in front of you, since a phone still linked to someone else’s account can be locked and unusable.
- Inspect the screen for scratches and the charging port for lint or damage, and test the cameras, speakers, and buttons before handing over cash.
- Meet in a public location for the exchange, and consider daytime meetups at a busy spot for higher-value devices.
- Test cellular connectivity with your own SIM card if possible before finalizing the purchase, since some devices can be blacklisted for specific carriers only.
Tips for Sellers
Before listing, back up your data, sign out of iCloud or your Google account, and factory reset the device so it’s ready to hand over clean. Mention the storage size, carrier status (unlocked or locked to a specific carrier), and battery health percentage right in the description, since these are the first questions buyers ask. Include the original box and charging cable if you still have them, this reassures buyers and can support a slightly higher asking price.
Take photos in good lighting showing the front, back, and any wear on the corners or screen, since buyers are wary of listings with only one blurry photo. If the phone has a cracked screen or other damage, say so upfront rather than letting the buyer discover it at the meetup, it saves everyone time. Confirm the device is fully paid off if it was financed through a carrier, since an outstanding balance can complicate unlocking for the new owner.
Testing the SIM card tray, volume buttons, and charging speed one more time right before the meetup helps you answer buyer questions confidently on the spot. A quick wipe-down of the screen and body before the meetup also helps the device present itself at its best in person.
Frequently Asked Questions
Upgrading your phone or clearing out an old tablet? List it free on Montreal Daily and connect directly with buyers across Montreal, no store, no markup, no middleman. Every listing stays free from start to finish, with no cut taken from whatever price you and the buyer agree on.