When it’s time to upgrade your phone, don’t place it in a drawer to collect dust or throw it away. Sell it for some cash, either online, in-store, or at a kiosk. But if you have no idea where to start, don’t fret. Read on for a comprehensive list of the best online and in-store options to get top dollar for your phone, along with a few actions you should take to protect yourself before your phone leaves your possession.
Best Online Options to Sell Your Phone
1. Best Buy Trade-In
Best Buy Trade-In accepts iPhone, Samsung, and a host of other devices for cash. To get an offer for your cell phone, search for your phone by brand and select the correct model from the page of results. You’ll be prompted to answer a few questions about the condition of your phone and specify if it’s locked or unlocked.
When you submit your responses, the estimated trade-in value will be displayed on the screen. There’s no obligation to accept the offer, but if you decide to move forward, you’ll have the option to trade your phone in at a nearby location or mail it in. If you choose the latter, Best Buy will cover the cost of shipping and email you an electronic Best Buy gift card seven to nine business days following the receipt and inspection of your device. But if you bring the device to a store, you’ll receive a Best Buy gift card the same day.
2. BuyBackWorld
BuyBackWorld is another online platform that will pay you top dollar for your cell phone. To get a free, no-obligation quote, visit the homepage and select the brand and model of your cell phone. Assuming you’re satisfied with the offer, you can print a shipping label right away and ship off your device.
Upon receipt, BuyBackWorld will inspect your device to confirm the condition and compensate you within two business days. You can choose to be compensated in cash via direct deposit, a prepaid debit card, PayPal, or an electronic gift card from BuyBackWorld (that includes a built-in five percent discount on all future purchases).
3. Gadget Salvation
Gadget Salvation is a trade-in service that makes it easy for consumers to get fast cash for their mobile devices. They’re accredited by the Better Business Bureau (BBB) with an A+ rating and have streamlined the trade-in process to make it more convenient for you.
To get a quote for your cell phone, select your device from their comprehensive directory. (You can also retrieve a quote by texting (312) 548-9231). You’ll be asked to complete a few questions on the condition of your device. And if you wish to move forward, simply print the prepaid shipping label and drop the packed device off at your local UPS store.
Once the device arrives, Gadget Salvation will perform an inspection to ensure the condition, as stated on the questionnaire, is accurate. And if everything checks out, you’ll be compensated by cash (bank transfer), check, PayPal, or Venmo, within 48 hours.
4. Gazelle
Gazelle is another online buyback service that will pay you cash for your Apple, Google, HTC, LG, Motorola, or Samsung device. And it doesn’t matter if the phone is in top-notch shape or inoperable due to water damage or a smashed screen. You can still put some money in your pocket from your old cell phone.
To get started, retrieve a quote for your phone from Gazelle’s website. From there, you’ll need to print the prepaid shipping label and send your device. And as an incentive, Gazelle will pay you an additional $5 (on top of your trade-in value) when you send in your mobile phone. Payment typically takes one week from the initial receipt of your device to be processed.
5. Gizmogul
Gizmogul will give you an instant quote for your Apple, Google, HTC, LG, or Samsung mobile device online or by calling 1-800-925-5958. And if you accept the quote, you can feel good about your trade knowing that Gizmogul donates $1 to charity for each transaction.
They compensate customers in cash (via PayPal) or check. If you’d prefer the latter, anticipate a three to five business day turnaround from the time the inspection is complete.
6. GreenBuyback
GreenBuyBack accepts Android, Apple, Asus, Blackberry, Google, HTC, LG, OnePlus, Samsung and ZTE cell phones through their trade-in program. You can get an instant quote by selecting your device from the options listed on their buyback page.
Shipping is covered if you want to move forward with the trade. Assuming everything checks out with your cell phone once it’s inspected, GreenBuyback will deposit the proceeds into your PayPal account or issue a paper check. Either way, you’ll be compensated between one and three business days from the date of inspection.
7. Itemcycle
Have an iPhone you’d like to get off your hands? Itemcycle is worth considering as they specialize in Apple product buybacks. They also have a relatively quick turnaround on payments, and you have the option to be paid by check or PayPal.
8. ItsWorthMore
ItsWorthMore is an A+ ranked and BBB Accredited platform with well over 2,000 five star ratings from customers. But what really sets them apart is that they guarantee two-day payments for trade-ins. They’re currently accepting iPhones, Samsung, and Android mobile phones. You can retrieve an instant quote for your device right over here.
9. MaxBack
MaxBack accepts cell phones from Apple, Google, HTC, LG, and Samsung in exchange for cash. Shipping is always free, and you can expect to be paid in as little as 3 days. Quotes retrieved from the website are valid for 30 days, and if you choose to move forward, you can select cash or check for compensation.
They also offer a $5 bonus to use on your first purchase should you choose to purchase a new phone through their site using the funds earned from your trade to a new device.
10. SellBroke
SellBroke prides itself on paying top dollar for damaged devices, even if they no longer work. They accept cell phones from Apple, Doogee, Google, HTC, Huawei, LG, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, OnePlus, Samsung, Sony, and ZTE.
Similar to many other buyback sites, SellBroke pays customers by PayPal or check. But it’s up to you to decide which compensation method best suits your needs.
11. Target Trade-In
Target accepts cell phones from a host of manufacturers through their trade-in program, including but not limited to Amazon, Apple, Blackberry, Google, HTC, Kyocera, LG, Motorola, Nokia, Razer, and Samsung.
To confirm they accept your device, view the complete list of manufacturers here.
You can get a no-obligation quote and print the accompanying shipping label online. And immediately following the inspection of your device, the retail giant will compensate you with a Target Gift Card or through PayPal.
12. Walmart
Walmart is another retail giant with a reputable trade-in program. In lieu of cash or check, Walmart opts to pay customers through an eGift card in exchange for their old cell phones.
Best Offline Options to Sell Your Phone
13. ecoATM
Prefer to sell your phone at a physical location? ecoATM has kiosks in 48 states at over 2,000 locations throughout the US that will dispense cash on the spot for your old cell phone.
Want to get a quote before you go? Download the mobile app and input your information.
14. Pawnshops
Pawn shops are an ideal way to get cell phones off your hand and cash in your pocket in a jiffy. But here’s the catch: they may offer you substantially less than what you’d get elsewhere because they’re looking to garner the maximum profit on the resale. So, do your homework before you go this route to minimize your chances of being taken advantage of.
Need to locate a pawn shop in your area? This comprehensive search tool will lend a helping hand.
Other Ways to Get Top Dollar for Your Phone
16. Create a Private Listing
Prefer to name your own price for your device? It may be worthwhile to create a private listing and negotiate with the potential buyer directly until you both reach a number that works for you. But keep in mind that while some platforms won’t keep a percentage of the earnings generated from the sale, others will.
Fee-free options to list your cell phone include Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, and LetGo. On the other, the following online platforms will assess a nominal fee when you sell your device:
- Mercari – assesses a selling fee of 10 percent
- OfferUp – assesses a selling fee of 7.9 percent
- Swappa – the selling fee is determined by the amount generated on the sale
Before You Sell Your Phone…
It’s tempting to drop your phone in a box and ship it away if you’re quoted the amount you were hoping to get. But before you relinquish your old device, you want to take the following actions to protect yourself:
- Store your data so it can be transferred to your new device. This can be done through your phone’s built-in backup function if you have an Android device, or through the Cloud if you have an Apple device.
- Wipe your phone of all data by resetting it to factory settings.
- Clear all Bluetooth and Wi-Fi settings.
Once you’ve completed these tasks, check your device to ensure they were done correctly.
A Few More Tips to Get Top Dollar for Your Phone
The more money you can get for your old cell phone, the better, especially if you plan to list it online. So before you publish your ad, locate the accessories and original packaging. If you can present the mobile, accessories, and original packaging to potential buyers, chances are you’ll receive higher offers than what you’d get by trading the phone in or selling it without the extras.
The Bottom Line
It’s easier than ever to sell your phone both online and offline. But before you settle on an offer, shop around to ensure you’re getting top dollar for your device.
