How to sell a phone

Parting with your old phone doesn’t have to be an emotional affair.

In fact, selling your old phone is one of the best ways to recoup some of your investment, especially if you’ve upgraded to one of the best phones available right now.

Rather than letting your device gather dust in a drawer, selling it online or through a trade-in scheme can help you make some extra cash.

Thankfully, the internet offers plenty of safe and easy ways to sell your phone. Let’s explore some of the best platforms to find a buyer for your old phone.

eBay

eBay is a top choice for selling just about anything, including phones. As one of the most popular online marketplaces, it provides access to a global audience of potential buyers. Creating a listing is simple: just snap some photos of your phone, write a detailed description, and set a price.

You can either list your phone at a fixed price or auction it. Using the eBay app is particularly convenient because it allows you to easily manage your listing, answer buyer questions, and track bids. Keep in mind that eBay charges seller fees, so make sure to review those costs before you finalise the sale.

Pros:

• Global reach with access to a vast number of potential buyers.
• Flexible selling options (auction or fixed price).
• Easy to monitor bids and communicate with buyers through the mobile app.

Cons:

• Seller fees can eat into profits.
• Requires effort to create detailed listings.
• Risk of dealing with difficult buyers or scammers.

Gumtree

Gumtree is a popular local selling platform that will connect you with buyers in your area. It’s particularly useful for avoiding shipping costs, as buyers typically pick up items in person. While the process of listing a phone is similar to eBay, Gumtree emphasises local sales, so it’s great for quick, no-fuss transactions.

However, be cautious when meeting with buyers. Arrange to meet in a public place and consider bringing a friend for added safety. Following Gumtree’s safety guidelines can help to ensure a smooth experience.

Pros:

• No selling fees, meaning you keep all the profits.
• Simple, local selling, making it easy to arrange collection and avoid shipping costs.

Cons:

• Requires meeting buyers in person, which can pose safety risks.
• Fewer potential buyers compared to global platforms.
• No buyer or seller protection, making transactions riskier.

Envirofone

Envirofone is an eco-friendly option for selling your phone. The company resells, refurbishes, or recycles old devices. The process is simple: you send in your phone, and after it’s assessed, you receive payment.

Envirofone often offers competitive prices and even provides a 10% bonus if you opt for ‘Envirocash’, which can be used to buy refurbished phones from its store. It’s an excellent option for environmentally-conscious sellers.

Pros:

• Environmentally friendly: phones are recycled or resold.
• Competitive prices and 10% bonus if opting for ‘Envirocash.’
• Straightforward, no-hassle process.

Cons:

• Payment may take time, as the phone must be assessed first.
• Envirocash is limited to purchases within Envirofone’s store.

Music Magpie

Music Magpie isn’t just for music anymore – it’s now a popular platform for selling all kinds of gadgets, including phones. To sell your phone, you simply enter its model and condition on the website, and you’ll receive an instant quote.

Music Magpie provides decent offers for older phones, and the process is quick and straightforward. You don’t even need to have the original packaging to sell your phone here, which is a big plus if you’ve misplaced the box.

Pros:

• Instant quotes and easy process.
• Accepts older phones, even without chargers or packaging.
• Free shipping and quick payment.

Cons:

• Prices might be lower compared to direct sales to individuals.
• Less flexibility in negotiating price.

O2 Recycle

O2 Recycle is another fantastic way to sell your phone and feel good about doing it. You don’t need to be an O2 customer to take advantage of this service, which accepts a wide range of phones, even if they’re faulty.

O2 Recycle offers competitive prices and has a price-match promise if you find a better deal within seven days of selling your phone. Even if your phone is locked to a carrier, O2 Recycle offers fair prices, especially for O2-locked devices.

Pros:

• Competitive prices with a price-match promise.
• No need to be an O2 customer to use the service.
• Accepts faulty phones.

Cons:

• Payment may be less for devices that are damaged or locked to other networks.
• Not the highest payouts compared to direct marketplaces like eBay.

Mazuma

Mazuma allows you to sell your phone quickly and get paid the same day it’s received. The process is simple: you search for your phone model on the site, get an instant quote, and ship the device for free.

Mazuma pays via direct deposit or cheque, and it makes the transaction easy and hassle-free. With a reputation for fast payments, Mazuma is a reliable option for anyone looking to sell their phone quickly.

Pros:

• Quick and easy process with instant quotes.
• Free shipping and same-day payment upon phone receipt.
• Reliable and well-established brand.

Cons:

• Prices may be lower than selling directly on platforms like eBay or Facebook Marketplace.
• No ability to negotiate price after receiving the quote.

Sellphone 24 Handtec

Sellphone 24 Handtec operates in a similar way to Mazuma. You get an instant quote, ship your phone for free, and receive payment within 24 hours of receipt. It’s a simple process for anyone looking to sell their phone fast, with payment options including direct deposit or PayPal.

Pros:

• Instant quote and free shipping.
• Fast payment within 24 hours of receiving the phone.
• Simple and hassle-free process.

Cons:

• May offer lower prices than direct sales.
• No opportunity to negotiate once the quote is provided.

Carphone Warehouse

Carphone Warehouse offers a trade-in scheme where you can either receive cash or credit towards a new phone. It accepts older models like the iPhone 4, meaning you can get a little extra cash even for significantly outdated phones. It’s a quick and easy way to sell directly and upgrade.

Pros:

• Trade-in value can be used toward a new phone purchase.
• Accepts older phone models, even outdated ones.
• Convenient if you’re upgrading to a new device.

Cons:

• Lower cash value compared to other platforms.
• Best used for trade-in rather than cash payment.

Apple Trade In

Apple Trade In is perfect for Apple enthusiasts. You can trade in your old iPhone for an Apple Store gift card. While you won’t get cash, this option is ideal for those who plan on using the credit towards a new Apple product.

The process is easy and convenient, but keep in mind that Android devices typically fetch lower prices than iPhones.

Pros:

• Easy process for trading in old iPhones.
• Eco-friendly, as Apple recycles or refurbishes devices.
• Store credit can be applied to new Apple products.

Cons:

• No cash payments, only Apple Store Gift Cards.
• Lower payouts for non-Apple (Android) devices.

Amazon

Becoming an Amazon Seller can be a bit more involved, but it grants you access to Amazon’s vast customer base. This option is excellent for selling popular phones like iPhones, as your listing may appear in relevant searches.

The setup process is slightly more complex than eBay, but it’s worth considering if you want to reach a broad audience. Here’s our guide on how to sell on Amazon.

Pros:

• Large global audience, making it easy to reach potential buyers.
• Good for selling popular phones like iPhones or flagship Android models.
• Competitive alternative to eBay.

Cons:

• More complex sign-up process as an Amazon Seller.
• Seller fees are involved, potentially reducing profits.
• Less intuitive user interface than eBay.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace is another great place to sell your phone locally. With Facebook’s vast user base, you can quickly list your phone for sale and set it to display in specific locations. However, like Gumtree, local pickup is often required, so make sure to follow safety precautions when meeting buyers in person.

Pros:

• Easy to list and sell locally with no selling fees.
• Quick listings, similar to posting a Facebook status.
• Large local audience through Facebook’s user base.

Cons:

• Local transactions mean meeting buyers in person, which can pose safety risks.
• No buyer or seller protection.
• Might take longer to find a buyer compared to global platforms.

CeX

CeX has been a staple of the high street for years and offers in-store trade-ins or online selling options. You can receive either cash or in-store credit, with credit often being the better value. CeX makes the selling process straightforward, and with many physical locations, it’s a convenient option for those who prefer selling in person.

Pros:

• Cash or in-store credit options, with credit being worth more.
• In-person selling option in stores for quick cash.
• Well-known and trusted brand with easy online or in-store transactions.

Cons:

• In-store credit is only useful if you plan to purchase something from CeX.
• Prices may be lower than those you could get selling directly online.

So, whether you prefer selling to a global audience via eBay, a local buyer on Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace, or through a trade-in scheme like Apple Trade In, there’s an option to suit every seller.

Choose the method that works best for you and turn that old phone into extra cash. And if you have other stuff to sell, check out our tips on where and how to sell it online.