Trading in your old phone is one of the fastest ways to put cash back in your pocket — but most people leave money on the table by not knowing where to start. A little prep work and the right platform can mean the difference between $50 and $300 for the same device.
Check What Your Phone Is Actually Worth
Before you hand anything over, get a realistic number. Trade-in values vary wildly depending on:
- Make and model — iPhone 14 Pro will always fetch more than a mid-range Android from two years ago
- Storage size — 256GB commands a noticeably higher price than 64GB
- Condition — cracked screens can slash value by 30–50%
- Network lock status — unlocked phones are worth more to most buyers
- Current demand — values drop fast after a new model launches
As a rough benchmark, a used iPhone 13 in good condition typically trades in for $180–$280, while a Samsung Galaxy S22 might bring $150–$230. Older flagships from three or four years back usually land in the $50–$120 range.
Get Your Phone Ready Before You Trade
A well-presented phone gets you the quoted price. Showing up with a phone that looks worse than advertised can trigger a lowball counter-offer.
Step 1: Back up your data. Use iCloud, Google Drive, or a computer backup. Do this first — everything else comes second.
Step 2: Factory reset the device. On iPhone, go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content. On Android, go to Settings > General Management > Reset. This wipes your personal data and signs you out of accounts.
Step 3: Sign out of iCloud or Google. Leaving Find My or Google account active makes a phone nearly unsellable. Buyers will reject it or pay nothing.
Step 4: Clean it up physically. Wipe the screen, remove the case, and check for any damage you may have forgotten about. Be honest with yourself — grade it as a buyer would.
Step 5: Gather what you can. Original box and accessories aren't always required, but they can nudge offers higher with some buyers.
Where You Can Trade In Your Phone
You have several options, each with real trade-offs:
Carrier trade-in programs (e.g., Telstra, Optus, Vodafone): Convenient if you're upgrading, but offers often come as account credits, not cash. Values can be competitive on flagship models but poor on anything mid-range.
Manufacturer programs (Apple Trade In, Samsung Trade-Up): Simple process, good for recent models, and Apple offers instant credit toward a new device. Rarely the highest cash offer available.
Third-party mail-in services (e.g., Cashify, SellCell, Decluttr): You get a quote online, ship the phone, and receive payment. Values are often better than carriers, but you're relying on their final assessment matching the quote.
Local buyback shops: Faster cash in hand, no shipping risk. Offer prices vary enormously by location and which models they're moving.
Peer-to-peer marketplaces (Facebook Marketplace, eBay): Highest potential return, but you're doing the work — listing, negotiating, meeting buyers, and absorbing the risk of scams or no-shows.
How to Compare Offers Without Wasting Hours
The frustrating part of trading in a phone is that no single buyer consistently offers the best price. A carrier might be tops for an iPhone 15, while a third-party service beats everyone else on a Pixel 7. Checking each platform individually is time-consuming.
Mercoly lets you compare trusted Phone Trade-In & Buyback providers in one place, so you can see competitive offers side by side without filling out five different quote forms.
What to Watch Out For
A few things that catch people off guard:
- Quote expiry windows — most online quotes are only valid for 7–14 days. Lock one in only when you're ready to ship or drop off.
- Condition disputes — if a service downgrades your phone's condition on arrival, they'll send a revised (lower) offer. You can usually reject it and get the phone back, but that takes time.
- Shipping costs — some mail-in services cover postage, others don't. Factor this into your net return.
- Payment method — check whether you're getting bank transfer, PayPal, gift cards, or account credit. Gift cards lock your money into one retailer.
Timing Matters More Than Most People Realise
Phone values depreciate fast — often 10–20% in the months after a new model launches. If you're sitting on a device and know a new iPhone or Samsung flagship is six weeks away, trade now. Waiting typically costs you more than shopping around for a better offer would have gained you.
Start your comparison today and find the best trade-in offer for your phone before its value drops another dollar.