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How to Sell a Broken Phone Online for the Best Possible Price?

How to Sell a Broken Phone Online for the Best Possible Price?

When you are using a phone for a long time, it is normal for it to slow down or show signs of damage. After a point, there comes a time when you have no choice but to buy another device. But, do not let the old device go to waste by keeping it stored somewhere. Even though there are issues with your device, you can still consider selling it. Old or broken phones can fetch a good price as well. 

It may have a shattered screen or a failed battery, but they do not mean that it is worthless. There is an entire ecosystem built around refurbishing, repairing, and repurposing these devices. You just need to know how to sell your broken phone properly.

 

INDEX

6 Tips To Sell a Broken or Non-Working Phone and Get the Best Price

1. First, Understand What’s Actually Wrong

2. Know What Makes a Broken Phone Worth Buying

3. Give It a Quick Clean and Prep

4. Don’t Undersell It — Broken Doesn’t Mean Worthless

5. Describe It Right (This One Really Matters)

6. Should You Try to Fix It First?

Sell Your Broken Phone Online at the Best Price to Mobilegoo

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Broken Phone Online

Can I exchange a damaged phone?

Can I sell a completely broken phone?

How much money can you get from a broken phone?

 

6 Tips To Sell a Broken or Non-Working Phone and Get the Best Price

1. First, Understand What’s Actually Wrong

When you are trying to sell a non-working phone, one of the most valuable things you can do is figure out exactly what is wrong with it. A clear and honest explanation of the issue helps you get more accurate quotes. You will not have to deal with last-minute complications during the sale. So, perform a basic check before the sale. In some cases, you can make small repairs as well to get a better offer. Here are a few things you can do:

  • Use a flashlight to inspect a phone with a damaged screen. Hold it at an angle to see if there is a faint image or light bleed. If you spot anything, the backlight may be damaged, not the display. Since fixing the backlight is cheaper, you can consider fixing it before the sale to increase its resale value.

  • When a phone is lying unused for a long time, insert a SIM and call the phone. If it rings or vibrates (even with no screen output), it likely still receives power and connects to the network. This suggests the internal board is working. It is a very crucial point for buyers.

  • A loose charging port is not uncommon. And when that happens, your phone only charges at a certain angle or with pressure. This is called a charging flex issue. It is a cheap part to replace, and you can visit any repair shop for it. Fixing it will certainly increase resale value. Just ensure that it is not a wire issue by charging with different charging wires beforehand. 

  • Connect it to a PC or laptop and check if the device has a dead screen. While the phone may seem gone, your computer will be able to detect it if the phone is alive internally. While a phone with a dead screen might not be able to fetch a good amount, you will get a better offer compared to a dead phone. 

2. Know What Makes a Broken Phone Worth Buying

Not all broken phones are treated equally in the resale world. Depending on what’s wrong with your phone, different kinds of buyers might be interested. If it still powers on, but has display issues, battery problems, or cosmetic damage, you can sell it at a decent price. Basically, as long as the internal components are working fine, the device is repairable and useful. Many refurbishers will be interested in buying it.

However, if the device is completely dead, the chances are slim. Phones with serious issues, like water damage or motherboard failure, cannot always be repaired. So, in some cases, they might not be very valuable. However, you can still find buyers if the refurbisher is interested in the parts. Specific components like the battery, camera modules, or even the frame can still be used for other devices.

Whatever the condition may be, your best approach is to be upfront about the condition and provide as much detail as you can. 

Also Read: What to Do Before You Sell Your iPhone?

3. Give It a Quick Clean and Prep

Whether you are using the device for a long time or have kept it stored in a drawer, it is bound to get dirty. Accumulation of dust and dirt makes the device unappealing and unattractive. This can significantly bring down the price of the product. 

  • So, to ensure that you get the best price, it is always wise to clean the phone once before selling it. A clean phone creates the perception of a new device, which appeals more to buyers. Hence, they are willing to buy it at a higher price. 

  • Make sure you wipe the screen and body with a soft cloth to remove the dust. Do it once before taking photos of the product, and once before the buyer arrives. 

  • If the screen glass is shattered, you can consider using tape or a screen protector to keep shards in place.

  • The charging port stays dirty even after you clean the device. You can use a toothpick or cotton swab to clean it.

  • Cleaning does not have to be just external. You have to clean your phone’s storage as well. If the storage is full, the device can lag or crash. It will be unappealing to any user. Also, there is the risk of data theft. You can easily avoid these issues by performing a full factory reset. While it should completely reset your phone, make sure that you have logged out of all the accounts (iCloud, Google, Samsung, etc.). If it won’t power on, try to manually unlink it from your cloud account. 

This bit of effort can easily help to get better deals. 

4. Don’t Undersell It — Broken Doesn’t Mean Worthless

Most people do not sell a broken phone at all because there is a common misconception that broken phones are worthless. This is absolutely a false claim. A broken phone isn't junk. While it may be worthless to a regular user, refurbishers can make use of the raw material. And depending on the make and model, it can be surprisingly valuable.

Phones like recent iPhones, Galaxy devices, Pixels, or even Android models hold significant internal value. They have valuable components such as:

  • Logic boards

  • OLED or AMOLED displays (even cracked ones can be refurbished)

  • Camera modules

  • Charging ports and batteries

  • Back glass, housing, or frames

Refurbishers can use these parts to fix another device. Even the smallest parts can serve as replacements in other devices. So, if you have a broken phone lying around in your house, sell it!

5. Describe It Right (This One Really Matters)

When it is time to sell your broken phone, how you describe it is just as important as the price you set. The buyer relies on accurate information to make a decision. If you do not share the details correctly, you might face a lot of issues when selling the used, broken phone. Make sure you clearly and correctly mention the model and storage size. Also, mention all the original accessories available with the device, including the box.

Do not try to downplay the damages when selling. While it may seem like it will help to get a better deal, there is a high chance that the buyer might back out or refuse to pay the agreed price if the information shared does not match the condition of the device. Inform clearly about the issues and type of damage.

Also, you have to share information about past repairs and replacements.

Also Read: What To Do Before You Sell Your Phone (Android)?

6. Should You Try to Fix It First?

It is a common question: would fixing the phone help you sell it for more? The short answer is maybe. But you should do it only when the cost of repair is low compared to the resale value. For instance, if you have a new iPhone with a shattered screen, it would make sense to repair it before selling, as the resale value would be higher. 

However, the same would not work in the case of an old device. Even if it has a few completely new parts, you will not receive great offers if the device is outdated. Similarly, there is no point fixing a damaged screen if the phone also has a failing motherboard. 

So, you need to put some thought into whether you should try to fix your phone first or not. If you are unsure whether it is worth fixing, consider getting a repair quote and then comparing it with the resale value.

Sell Your Broken Phone Online at the Best Price to Mobilegoo

A broken phone is not the end of the story. The tips we share will help you sell your broken phone online and get the best price. However, there is still a lot of inconvenience associated with the process — how much should you ask for? What will be the meetup point? How to ensure it is a genuine buyer? 

All these can be avoided if you just choose the right buyer. Mobilegoo is a reputed platform where you can sell your broken phones online. The process is simple — you just have to select your phone model, answer a few questions about the condition, and confirm your location. Our executive will contact you and pick up the device from your location. We ensure minimum inconvenience to the users and try to complete the process within a day or two. Moreover, you will get instant cash payment when the device is picked up.

If you plan to buy a device after selling the broken smartphone, you can also explore our refurbished phones. Mobilegoo has one of the biggest inventories of refurbished smartphones. We have almost all the popular models and brands available in India. Also, they are tested and checked by experts to ensure their performance is not compromised. Additionally, you will get up to a 1 year warranty if you buy our refurbished phones.

Frequently Asked Questions About Selling a Broken Phone Online

Can I exchange a damaged phone?

In most cases, exchanges or trade-in offers for damaged phones don’t provide much value. Many do not accept them at all. Devices with dead batteries or power issues may be rejected as well if the phone does not turn on. So, instead of exchanging your device when buying your new phone, it is smarter to sell it. 

Can I sell a completely broken phone?

Yes, you can. Even phones that do not switch on, have water damage, or are badly cracked still hold value. Parts like the motherboard, display, and battery can often be reused. Buyers who repair or refurbish phones know how to extract value from these components. So, even if your phone feels like e-waste to you, it can still be worth selling.

How much money can you get from a broken phone?

It is hard to give a fixed price for a broken phone because the value depends on several factors — mainly the brand, model, age of the device, and the type of damage. Phones that are less than 2–3 years old usually still have parts that are in demand, like the motherboard or cameras. So even if they are not working, they can fetch a decent price. On the other hand, if the phone is quite old and badly damaged, it is more likely to get a lower offer

 

If you are looking to sell your broken phone quickly and safely, Mobilegoo is the best option for instant cash and doorstep pickup.

 

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