How does SASOM define a "Brand New" Smartphone?

SASOM defines a Brand New smartphone as a device that has never been activated or used, remains in factory condition, and has not been previously owned in any way that results in signs of use or starts warranty period.

Brand New smartphone:

• Has never been activated. The manufacturer warranty period has not started, or has started only from the date of retail purchase as evidenced by the receipt.
• Shows no signs of use and remains in factory condition, with factory-applied screen film and protective wrapping intact where applicable for the model.
• Reports a battery health of 100% with a charge cycle count consistent with factory testing.
• Is free of any account or activation lock (iCloud Activation Lock / Find My, Google Factory Reset Protection, Samsung Account, Mi Account, or equivalent), and is signed out of all accounts.
• Has a clean IMEI — not reported lost or stolen, not blacklisted on any network, and not subject to an outstanding installment, financing, or carrier contract.
• Is network-unlocked, unless a carrier lock is clearly declared by the seller in the listing.
• Comes with the original box and the factory-issued accessories supplied with that model and region (e.g. charging cable, adapter, SIM tool, documentation). The accessory set may vary by model, brand, and region, and according to what the seller specifies in the listing.
• Has never undergone repair, servicing, or parts replacement, and contains no aftermarket or non-genuine parts.
• Runs unmodified manufacturer software — not jailbroken, rooted, or running a custom ROM — and is not a demo, display, engineering, or carrier-demo unit.
• Has an IMEI and serial number that match those printed on the box and shown in the device system information.

Brand New Condition Levels

Authenticity is verified externally and through the device's own system information — IMEI and serial matching against the box, network and blacklist status, activation lock status, battery health and cycle count, and the genuine-parts and service history reported by the operating system. The device is not disassembled, to preserve the original condition. If authenticity or origin is in doubt, the device is returned to the seller.

✳ Sealed

• Factory seal fully intact and unbroken; original shrink wrap or factory seal tabs undamaged.
• Never opened, never powered on, never activated.
• The box may show minor shelf wear from storage or retail display.

✳ Opened (Unsealed & Unactivated)

• The box has been opened, but the device has never been activated and shows no signs of use.
• Factory screen film and protective wrapping remain in place where applicable for the model.
• Battery health 100%, with a charge cycle count consistent with factory testing.
• Some factory stickers may be missing, and the box may show shelf wear.

Notes Regarding Brand New Smartphones

• Minor individual differences arising from the manufacturing process or material characteristics (e.g. slight variations in display color or uniformity, or minor process marks within the manufacturer's standards) are not considered defects and shall not be grounds for cancellation unless they fall under SASOM's Fail criteria.
• A Brand New smartphone must include the complete original box and factory equipment as supplied for that model and region. A missing box or missing equipment will result in a Fail, and the item will not be classified as Brand New.
• Region, model code, and supported network bands vary between markets. Buyers are responsible for confirming that the listed model is compatible with their network and meets their requirements before purchasing.
• All products are evaluated based on the product photos, description, equipment, documents, and information disclosed by the seller in the listing.
• Buyers are responsible for carefully reviewing all product photos, descriptions, equipment, documents, and seller disclosures before placing an order.
• By confirming a purchase, the buyer acknowledges and accepts the product description, equipment, documents, and disclosures provided in the listing.

Precautions Regarding Smartphones

• SASOM performs an initial quality, functionality, and authenticity verification as a marketplace intermediary. SASOM does not provide manufacturer warranties and cannot guarantee future software support, network compatibility, battery longevity, or future repair costs.
• Manufacturer warranty terms, coverage, and transferability are determined by the brand, not by SASOM. For warranty coverage, servicing, or brand-specific information, buyers should contact the brand's official service center directly.
• If non-genuine parts are detected, or if the device carries an account lock, a blacklisted IMEI, or modified system software, the device will automatically fail inspection.
• Devices are shipped with their battery charge limited in accordance with transport regulations for lithium batteries.
• Conditions arising from manufacturing processes, distribution, or material characteristics shall not constitute grounds for transaction cancellation unless they fall under SASOM's Fail criteria.
• For product conditions, model-specific characteristics, or circumstances that cannot be clearly determined under SASOM's inspection standards, the final decision shall be made at the sole discretion of SASOM's inspection team or an appointed specialist.

Detailed Inspection Criteria

Two inspection sets. A Brand New listing is inspected using one of the two sets below, never both. Which set applies is determined by the listing grade.

• Brand New Sealed — Set 1 (7 criteria)
• Brand New Opened — Set 2 (23 criteria)

Set 1 — Brand New Sealed

Inspected from outside the packaging and from external records only. The seal is not broken and the device is not powered on.

1.1 Device Identity & Status

1.2 Box & Packaging

1.3 Product Documents

Documents inside a sealed box are assessed only as far as they are visible from outside the packaging. Where a document cannot be verified without breaking the seal, it is not used as a criterion — it is not a Fail.

Set 2 — Brand New Opened

Full inspection. The device may be powered on and its system information read.

2.1 Device Identity & Status

2.2 Product Condition

2.3 Display & Hardware

2.4 Device Security & Setup

2.5 Box & Packaging

2.6 Product Documents