u/Ductimas

I’ve just got a preowned PSVR2 (listed as "very good" condition) and I’m trying to understand whether what I’m seeing in the lenses is normal or indicates a defect.

On visual inspection, there are areas that look like a thin layer may have peeled or separated slightly, almost like a coating or film effect rather than a normal smudge. It’s not something I can wipe away with a microfibre cloth. I've shared three photos that hopefully demonstrate this is a much better way than I can describe with words.

In-use (tested with Flight Simulator 2024) the image is slightly softer than expected though I’ve already calibrated IPD, eye tracking and dialled in the sweet spot as best as possible.

Does this sound like normal PSVR2 lens behaviour, or more like anti-reflective coating wear/damage? Essentially, is this something worth returning or do I need to taper my expectations of the PSVR capabilities?

https://preview.redd.it/y74xtly8ai2h1.png?width=911&format=png&auto=webp&s=f8c35547a91906beaf483814cc05aece99229b76

https://preview.redd.it/wlmrumy8ai2h1.png?width=1436&format=png&auto=webp&s=1f43e807a8d34ed5cc3e4084ed8330375b1bb02c

https://preview.redd.it/q43y5qy8ai2h1.png?width=1079&format=png&auto=webp&s=9154c850659fd89b531d370a2511631f8cdeea4c

I'm upgrading from an iPhone 11 Pro Max (64GB), which I've owned for the last 3 years. Prior to this, I had the XS Max for 1 year and the iPhone 6s and 5 for the years prior. None have been brought as new. I'm now trying to decide between the 256GB variants of either:

• Used iPhone 14 Pro Max- c. £420 with a new battery (likely non-OEM), from a major refurb retailer.
• Used iPhone 15 Pro Max- c. £500 with ~80–85% battery health, from a private seller.

Buying a refurb 15PM from the above major retailer is out of my budget, so these are the two realistic options.

What I'm trying to figure out is:

• Whether a new (but possibly non-OEM) battery, alongside refurb warranty (for the 14PM) is a better long-term ownership experience than the newer 15PM with OEM battery but already with a degree of wear/cycling.
• How much weight should be put on battery health vs newer chipset/longevity/USB-C etc.
• Whether a 3rd party verification service, offered by the private seller, meaningfully reduces risk enough to make the 15 PM the better buy.
• In general, which would you personally choose for a phone you’d likely keep for 3-5+ years.

For context, I’m used to the PM-sized phones. My current 11PM battery health is 73%. I’m not overly sensitive to battery degradation; I did replace my earlier XS and current 11PM batteries myself previously. Ultimately, I do want this next phone to feel like a proper long-term upgrade.

I would really appreciate any thoughts from people who’ve been in a similar decision between refurb vs used/private seller, or between these two models specifically.