How good is a factory reset for buying used or refurbished?

Questions
1

I’m thinking about picking up a used Samsung device. While I know that the likelihood of tampering in order to steal my data is low, how effect is a factory reset to making sure that my device is good to go? I’ve seen folks on here talk about buying refurbished in the context of a Pixel that will get GrapheneOS, but in the context of the average person just buying a used device.

Also, if you have any additional tips on things to check for when buying used, like diagnostic tools or settings to look out for, that would help!

Note: I know stock Samsung is not the best for privacy, but I still want to ask about Samsung specifically.

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Refurbished Phones - Paranoid?
2

If you can update to the latest version of Android, then I think the OS can notice weird bugs from hidden malware.

but installing graphene OS would be safer

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3

One thing to be aware of with used items is the IMEI (hardware identifier). If someone who owned the phone previously was suspected of something, then you also become on the radar due to this. I don’t believe it is something a simple factory reset can change.

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4

Correct, a reported lost/stolen phone can remain blacklisted from reaccessing telecommunication services even after a factory reset:

  • https://www.devicecheck.ca/consumers/
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