Blog
Things to Check Before Selling Your Phone
Featured
phone resale
locked vs unlocked phone
phone resale tips
phone resale price
used phone value
phone trade-in
sell used phone
March 4, 2026
Things to Check Before Selling Your Phone
Selling your phone shouldn’t feel confusing.
It shouldn’t feel like guessing.
It shouldn’t feel like you’re about to be lowballed.
And it definitely shouldn’t feel like someone’s trying to “see the phone first” before deciding what it’s worth.
That’s exactly why we built our process the way we did.
Before you sell your phone to anyone, here’s what you should check. Not just to protect yourself, but to make sure you get the best possible price for it.
1. Know Exactly Which Model You Have
You’d be surprised how many people aren’t sure.
“iPhone 13”
“Samsung S22”
“128 or 256… I think 128?”
Model and storage matter. A lot.
An iPhone 13 128GB is priced differently from a 256GB.
A Pro model is priced differently from a standard one.
Unlocked is different from carrier-locked.
Before using our estimator, take 30 seconds to confirm:
-
Exact model
-
Storage capacity
-
Carrier status (locked or unlocked)
On iPhone:
Settings → General → About
On Android:
Settings → About Phone
The more accurate you are, the more accurate your quote will be.
2. Check If It’s Carrier Locked or Unlocked
This is one of the biggest price factors.
An unlocked phone works with any carrier.
A locked phone works only with the original carrier.
Unlocked phones have higher resale value. Always.
When you use our free estimator, you’ll select:
-
Unlocked
-
Or your specific carrier
That selection directly affects the offer, because market demand for unlocked devices is stronger.
We price based on real market data, not guesses.
3. Be Honest About Physical Condition
This is where most pricing confusion happens in the resale market.
Small scratches?
Cracked screen?
Back glass damage?
Camera lens chipped?
Heavy dents?
These details matter.
In our estimator, you’ll choose the physical condition:
Is It Free Of Cracks And Scratches
Each condition has a clear impact on value because refurbishment costs vary.
Here’s the difference between us and most buyers:
We don’t wait until you show up to suddenly “notice” scratches and drop the price.
You tell us the condition upfront.
The estimator adjusts instantly.
The price reflects reality.
Transparent from the start.
4. Check If the Phone Powers On and Functions Properly
Before selling, confirm:
-
Does it power on?
-
Does the touchscreen work?
-
Are the cameras functional?
-
Does it charge properly?
-
Are speakers and microphones clear?
Even if something isn’t working, don’t worry. We still buy phones with issues. You’ll just select that in the estimator and get an adjusted price.
Again, clarity beats surprises.
5. Back Up and Reset Your Device
Before handing over your phone to anyone, including us, you should:
-
Back up your data
-
Sign out of iCloud or Google
-
Remove SIM and SD cards
-
Perform a full factory reset
This protects your personal data and speeds up the transaction.
A phone that’s already reset and ready makes the process smoother and faster.
How Our Pricing Actually Works
Now let’s talk about what really matters.
The price.
A lot of companies throw random numbers around. Some quote high online and reduce it in person. Some just underpay from the beginning.
We don’t operate like that.
Here’s what we do.
Our estimator pulls current market pricing data across the resale market.
Then we calculate a fair market price.
And here’s where we do something different.
We add an additional $10 to $20 on top of that calculated value.
Why?
Because we want to offer the best price in the market — consistently.
Not sometimes.
Not if you negotiate.
Not if you threaten to leave.
Upfront.
That’s why when people compare our quote to other buyers, ours often comes out higher.
We’re not trying to squeeze every dollar from sellers. We build margin through smart refurbishment and resale strategy, not by underpaying people.
Why Using the Estimator First Matters
If you walk into any buyer without knowing your phone’s value, you’re negotiating blind.
Our free estimator removes that problem.
You:
-
Enter your phone model
-
Select storage
-
Choose locked or unlocked
-
Select carrier
-
Choose physical condition
-
Confirm functional status
In seconds, you get a price based on real market data — plus our added premium.
No pressure.
No obligation.
No hidden deductions.
Just clarity.
After you submit your interest, our team will reach out to you to finalise the price. And then we assign you an agent near you. They will meet with you in person and verify the phone condition and then pay you on the spot. We offer 4 methods of payment: Cash, Zelle, Cashapp And Venmo.
What Most Sellers Forget
Here’s what we’ve seen over the years.
People often:
-
Forget to remove their accounts
-
Underestimate their phone’s condition
-
Assume cracks make the phone worthless
-
Think locked phones have no value
-
Accept the first low offer they hear
None of that has to happen.
Even damaged phones have value.
Even older models have demand.
Even locked phones can be resold strategically.
The key is accurate information and transparent pricing.
That’s what our system is built for.
Before You Sell - Do This
Take five minutes.
Check your model.
Check storage.
Check if it’s locked or unlocked.
Be honest about condition.
Then use our free estimator and see what your phone is actually worth in today’s market.
You might be surprised.
And because we consistently add $10 to $20 above calculated market value, chances are you’re already looking at one of the strongest offers available.
No guessing.
No awkward negotiations.
No last-minute price drops.
Just a clear, data-backed offer - with a little extra on top.
Sell smart. Start with the estimator.
Have questions about selling your device? Our team is here to help you every step of the way.
Get in Touch
