Should I trade in my old phone with Verizon or sell it?? Which is better (and why)

Choosing a new phone also means figuring out what to do with your old one- and you might have some questions along the way. Do you trade in your old phone or sell it? Does Verizon buy old phones back from users? Does Verizon offer trade-in deals? In short, it's really a matter of the condition of your phone and the current deals carriers are offering. Let's take a side-by-side look at the differences to help you choose what's right for you.

Weighing your options to either trade-in your old phone or to sell it? 

What’s your phone worth?

Cuanto mejor sea el estado de tu teléfono, mayor será la rentabilidad que obtendrás por tu intercambio. Un teléfono en "excelentes condiciones" puede tener algunos rayones y rozaduras leves. Un dispositivo en "muy buenas condiciones" tendrá algunos rayones más. Un dispositivo en "buenas" condiciones tendrá rayones, rozaduras o abolladuras más importantes en la funda del teléfono y también puede tener pequeños rayones en la pantalla. Determine the value of your phone by getting started here.

¿Puedo intercambiar un dispositivo que esté dañado (por ejemplo, si tiene la pantalla rota) o que no funcione?

We sometimes accept devices with damage, but expect that the device should work. You should first check with a Verizon store sales associate for an evaluation. Si eres elegible, puedes pasar directamente a lo bueno y seguir comprando con un crédito para tu pedido.

Otherwise, you can visit Verizon’s Device Trade-In page and enter info about your device and its condition to get a preliminary offer—you’ll be notified of the final value of a credit after Verizon receives your device. Luego, si has iniciado sesión en My Verizon, recibirás un crédito en tu cuenta. Los usuarios invitados recibirán una tarjeta de regalo virtual por correo electrónico.

Note: if it’s a newer model, fixing the issue may be worth it. Get a quote and evaluate it against the trade-in value for a working phone of the same model. The quicker you get it fixed, the more valuable it’ll be if you do decide to trade or sell.  

Save time if you trade in your phone.

If trading in is your best move, use the Verizon Trade-in Program to get started. It walks you through prompts for appraisal, and if your phone is eligible for credit, Verizon sends no-cost return-shipping materials to you. 

Does Verizon have trade-in deals?

Yes, we often offer trade-in deals for certain devices and you can trade in your old device for a credit towards a new device or your Verizon account. Check our trade-in or deals pages to see the latest. The value of the trade-in credit varies depending on the device and its condition. 

Beyond phones, are other devices available for trade-in?

Verizon often offers trade-in deals for a variety of devices, not just smartphones:

• Tablets

• Verizon Jetpacks

• Netbooks

• 4G prepaid phones (activated with at least the first month payment made)

• Smartwatches

No matter which option you choose, always do this.

Whether you sell or trade, one critical to-do list applies to both:

• Back up your phone's data. Apple iPhone users: make sure to include Messages. You may have photos and important info hidden there.

• Wipe the device.

• Restore the phone to factory settings.

• Remove the SIM card (if applicable).

Getting started with Verizon Trade-in.

New phones are fun — and old phones don’t do any good sitting in a drawer. Get the most out of your old device with Verizon. And check out this list of FAQs if you need more help.