Related Articles
If you’re looking to sell an old mobile phone handset to make quick money with minimal effort, I’m going to walk you through everything you need to know. Opting for a handset recycle is also a good way to reduce your environmental footprint. Read on to find out the best places to get the most competitive prices for your phone.
How much can I get to sell old mobile phones?
This will vary depending on a few different important factors:
- The model and age of the phone
- Whether the phone works and turns on
- The physical condition (scrapes, cracks, dents)
- If the mobile is unlocked or tethered to a network
Generally speaking, a newer model phone in good condition will attract a higher price wherever you decide to sell or recycle it. That being said, there can also be big differences between how much companies are willing to pay for the exact same model, so it’s worth shopping around.
Where are the best places to sell old mobile phones?
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to easily check how much your old phone is worth by barely lifting a finger. Most of the companies listed below will provide you with an estimate or guaranteed price on the spot.
Mazuma Mobile
This is an online service where you can get an instant quote. If you decide to sell your old mobile phone to Mazuma Mobile, they offer a free post service. This is organised through Royal Mail and means it doesn’t cost you anything to send them your handset.
An added bonus is that their service includes postal insurance up to £100 (something most other companies don’t offer). They also promise to transfer your payment the day they receive the mobile.
musicMagpie
The musicMagpie online service provides an immediate quote. Then, if you’re happy with the offer, you just package up your phone and they will arrange either a courier or free post.
This might be a better option if you have some other things to recycle, as they also accept CDs, DVDs, games, books – and even Lego!
Regarding payment, they offer a same-day payment guarantee. There’s also the option to donate the proceeds to charity, which is useful if you’re looking to donate old phones rather than sell them.
CeX
Taking your unwanted phone down to a local CeX store may be a good option if you have one nearby and need the money quickly. They offer competitive prices and you can still check on their website to see how much you should expect to be paid.
CeX also have a drop and go service. You just fill out some details about the phone on their website and then you can arrange to drop it off at your local shop to be tested. Providing
that the phone works as described, payment will be transferred direct to your bank the same day. This is the best option if you want to bypass a postal service.
eBay
Using eBay can be one of the most profitable ways to recycle and sell old mobile phone handsets. This is because with eBay, you are selling directly to another consumer. To achieve the best price for your old phone, see our article full of tips for selling successfully on eBay.
There are a few downsides to using eBay. The process can take longer than some of the options above. Also, you’re not guaranteed a price. It depends on whether there’s a buyer looking for your particular phone. This means you could end up with more money or less than using a recycling company. It’s a roll of the dice.
With eBay, you also have to arrange posting the phone to the buyer, which involves some extra cost and effort.
Things to remember when selling your old phone
Whichever method you decide to use to sell your old mobile phone, there are a few steps you should always take before you part with it:
- Back up your data to a computer or the cloud.
- Remove the SIM card and any external memory cards.
- Perform a factory reset to wipe away any trace of you.
- Make sure there’s no security code locking the device.
- Charge the phone up and pack the power cable with it.
What next?
If you’re looking for more ways to make your money work for you, why not sign up for MyWalletHero’s email newsletter? You’ll receive our team’s top money-saving tips, lifestyle hacks and handy personal finance ‘must-knows’ – delivered straight to your inbox…
Just enter your email address below to sign up now:
Some offers on MyWalletHero are from our partners — it’s how we make money and keep this site going. But does that impact our ratings? Nope. Our commitment is to you. If a product isn’t any good, our rating will reflect that, or we won’t list it at all. Also, while we aim to feature the best products available, we do not review every product on the market. Learn more here. The statements above are The Motley Fool’s alone and have not been provided or endorsed by bank advertisers. John Mackey, CEO of Whole Foods Market, an Amazon subsidiary, is a member of The Motley Fool’s board of directors. The Motley Fool UK has recommended Barclays, Hargreaves Lansdown, HSBC Holdings, Lloyds Banking Group, Mastercard, and Tesco.
