Sell or Trade-in a Phone: Which Is Better?
Choosing a new phone also means figuring out what to do with your old one. Do you sell your old phone or trade it in? It's really a matter of how much time you have, 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.
Trade-in phone or sell overview.
If you choose Verizon trade-in |
If you choose to sell your old phone yourself |
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What’s your phone worth?
Use these cues to help figure out what condition your phone is actually in.
Newer model, pristine condition.
Good news: this is a big payoff whether you sell or trade. If you want to trade, start with Verizon's simple online appraisal tool. (That total could change after the actual trade happens.)
Older model, OK condition.
Age affects trade-in value; newer models are just worth more. If you're selling it, check the state of the current market before you set a price so you don't under (or over) charge.
Cracked screens and other issues.
Verizon doesn’t accept damaged phones for trade-in, but you can still complete the online appraisal process to be sure. And if you’re prompted to send the phone back, Verizon will take it and recycle it.
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.
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.