Sell or trade in your old phone? Three options compared

Basically, you have three options. You trade the device in with the manufacturer or your mobile provider, you sell it yourself to a private buyer, or you sell it to a shop.

Which option gets you the most can't be said in general, because the condition, the model and the timing are different every time. But the options differ clearly in how much of the work falls on you and when the amount is fixed.

With Apple, you first get an estimated trade-in value online. According to Apple, you can have this value credited towards a new device or receive it as an Apple Gift Card.

The final amount is only fixed once Apple has inspected the old device. If the inspection turns out worse than what you stated, you get a new offer that you can accept or decline. If you decline, Apple sends the old device back to you. Devices that don't qualify for credit are accepted by Apple for recycling.

The advantage of this option is convenience, because everything happens together with your new purchase. If your mobile provider offers a trade-in, read the terms of that particular promotion carefully. What matters most is who checks the condition and what happens if the result differs from the first offer.

When you sell privately, you set the price yourself. In return, everything else is up to you as well: taking photos, writing the listing, answering questions and in the end arranging a meeting or shipping the device.

The biggest risk lies in the payment. Only ship the phone once the money has actually arrived in your account, and don't rely on a payment confirmation sent by email. If you hand it over in person, let the buyer try out the device at their own pace, so there are fewer arguments afterwards.

Be honest in the listing about what is broken or has already been repaired. Whether a repair before selling pays off is explained in the article on selling your phone or repairing it first.

The third option is selling to a shop near you. We buy used and broken iPhones and Samsung Galaxy devices. We name the price after a look at the device, and you decide whether we pay you in cash or by bank transfer.

The difference from a trade-in by post is the timing. We look at the device while it is lying on the table in front of you, and you hear the price before you decide. If it doesn't suit you, you simply take the phone back with you.

A broken device is no obstacle either. The defect is reflected in the price, so it's best to tell us right away what isn't working.

Whichever option you choose, the order is always the same: first back up your data, then sign out of your account, and only after that reset the device. If you do it the other way round, Activation Lock stays on, and the new owner can't set up the device.

How to back up your data is explained in the article on backups. You will find the individual steps for signing out and resetting an iPhone or Galaxy on our page about selling your phone.

Finally, take out the SIM card, memory card and case. If you use an eSIM, check with your mobile provider beforehand how to get it onto your new phone.