What makes a cell phone "new"?

[undogooder1]

I am in the market for a specific make & model of cell phone (samsung galaxy s9+) & trying to buy it "new" as per the ebay definition of new (even though it's a long shot). I keep coming across dealers marking the phone as "new" AND "factory unlocked". When I ask Technical questions, I either get no response or, they say, the package is opened to update the software & unlock the phone. If a phone is factory unlocked, it is just that, unlocked. So, in my eyed the phone is "used" to unlock from a carrier & "used to update the software. This is not new. The reason I argue this is because I want to be able to unlock the bootloader in order to root the phone, & in order to do that, the android security version cannot be upgraded fully. So I am stuck wading thru all these phones markes as new (unused product) when, so far, all have been used to modify the software. Am I wrong in thinking these are in no way new? 

[chevymontecarlo88]

Personally i would only buy a cell phone from an established retailer (on Ebay or not). Many sellers have and continue to mis represent cell phones online. You do have protections with the Ebay MBG so just make sure you understand what your protections and time frames to act are.

[luckythewinner]

Am I wrong in thinking these are in no way new?

It does not sound to me like you are looking for "new" versus "used".

It sounds to me like you are trying to use eBay's definition of "new" versus "used" to try to indirectly infer something about the android security version upgrade status which to me is a strategy that is fraught with peril because most sellers do not see the same distinction that you do.

If sellers are not explicitly stating the android security version, I think you will just need to ask.

[cstpos]

@undogooder1I have the same issue when buying. Some sellers are new and just select Sell Similar from a different listing, then don't edit to match their actual item. Others know that New might get more interest.  You would have to look for New Sealed in the listing. Anything that's been opened should be listed as Open Box. If it was Factory unlocked, why would they need to open it at all? I'm not that familiar with smartphone technology. There is a link to Report this item on the listing page.

As @chevymontecarlo88 said, you're better off buying from an authorized dealer. If you use this link (below) then make sure you select S9+ on the left side of the page, you will see about 60 listings. I'm iffy about buying from items originating in China.

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=samsung+galaxy+s9%2B+unlocked+new+sealed&_sacat=0&rt=... 

[tobaccocardyahoo]

There are other marketplaces which limit the sales of Samsung phones to factory authorized resellers. Ebay does not. Who you buy it from affects whether Samsung and the world, in general, will treat it as NEW.

Do not confuse the Ebay NEW condition with having any meaning other than on Ebay.

Do not buy from anyone who is not an authorized Samsung Reseller and expect to receive a new phone. It is easiest to find an authorized Samsung reseller in the real world.

[stephenmorgan]

"I want to be able to unlock the bootloader in order to root the phone,"

If you root the phone doesn't this Void the warranty?