Money Moral Dilemma: Should my friend pay his ex back for the phone she got him as a gift?

Pollycat

crmism said:

It seems that your friend's girlfriend doesn't understand the meaning of the word "gift", which is clearly what it was in the absence of other information. He should ignore her demands, or point out that the phone wasn't a loan to be repaid.

Indeed.
It seems that a lot of people don't understand the meaning of the word 'gift'.
You only have to read the latest MMD:
Money Moral Dilemma: Our neighbour is selling clothes we've given them - should we say something? - Page 8 — MoneySavingExpert Forum

TripleH

1. The phone is used, it is not worth £600. Asking for that is wrong and if it goes to court is easy to defend the phone is worth less, most likely a lot less than the ex thinks it is too.

2. It was, one assumes an unconditional gift. There is likely to be no duty to return it.

3. I would offer to return it to the ex as a closure of matters (wiping it first). 

If it is returned, best to do it in person with an 'impartial verification' to the handover as it seems that there is the risk if it is returned any other way, the ex could deny receiving it.