Who Buys iPhones? A Guide to Selling Your iPhone (Even If It’s Broken!)
Upgrading your iPhone? Whether you want top dollar or a hassle-free sale, you have plenty of options to sell your old iPhone. But who pays the most? And is it better to trade in or sell? Let’s break it down.
Where to Sell Your iPhone for the Most Money
The best place to sell your iPhone depends on your priorities—highest payout, speed, or convenience. Here’s a breakdown:
1. BuckUp
| 💸 Payout | Competitive cash offers |
| 🏎️ Speed | Instant offer, fast payout |
| ☕ Convenience | No need to meet strangers or list online |
BuckUp offers instant cash for iPhones with a hassle-free process. Get a quick online quote, ship your phone (free shipping provided), and get paid fast—no dealing with buyers or hidden fees.
Try BuckUp Today
We’re offering up to $500 instant cash for your devices.
2. Apple Trade-In
| 💸 Payout | Mid-range, but only in Apple credit |
| 🏎️ Speed | Immediate in-store or mail-in |
| ☕ Convenience | Directly through Apple |
Apple’s trade-in program gives you store credit toward a new iPhone or Apple product. The catch? You won’t get cash, and Apple pays less than private sales.
Ultimately, Apple Trade-In is best only if you’re already intending to buy a new iPhone directly from Apple.
3. Carrier Trade-In
| 💸 Payout | High trade-in value but in monthly bill credits |
| 🏎️ Speed | Immediate when upgrading |
| ☕ Convenience | Simple, but locks you into a carrier |
Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile offer trade-in deals, but beware of bill credits—they spread the value over 24–36 months, keeping you tied to your carrier.
If you don’t mind monthly credits instead of a lump sum, this is a solid option for you.
4. Online Marketplaces
| 💸 Payout | Highest potential, but buyer-dependent |
| 🏎️ Speed | Can take days/weeks to sell |
| ☕ Convenience | Requires listing, messaging, shipping, and risk of scams |
The most popular online marketplaces today are:
- eBay – Potentially highest price but includes fees (~13%) and shipping risks.
- Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist – Sell locally, but watch out for scammers.
- Swappa – Safer than eBay with seller protection but slower to sell.
This process is best for self-start DIYers. If you’re willing to wait and handle the process yourself, this gives you full control every everything except reliable buyers.
5. Buyback Websites
| 💸 Payout | Mid-range (less than private sales but no headaches) |
| 🏎️ Speed | Instant online offer, fast payout |
| ☕ Convenience | No dealing with buyers or negotiations |
Popular buyback options include:
- BuckUp (fast, with high offers)
- Gazelle (trusted, but pays less)
- Decluttr (quick, but lower prices)
- EcoATM (instant, but very low payouts)
These are, hands-down, the fastest no-hassle selling options that don’t require you to meet with strangers.
Trade-In vs. Selling: Which Is Better?
| Factor | Trade-In | Selling |
|---|---|---|
| Payout | Lower (store credit or bill credits) | Higher (cash in hand) |
| Speed | Instant or same-day | Varies (instant to weeks) |
| Convenience | Easiest option | Requires more effort |
| Flexibility | Limited to store/phone credit | Spend cash however you want |
If your ultimate goal is for the most money, and you have the time and energy to spend on it, selling is better. If you want simplicity, trade-in works. We’re biased, but we think BuckUp strikes a perfect balance between the two.
Who Buys Broken iPhones?
Yes, you can sell a broken iPhone, but payouts vary. Options include:
1. BuckUp (Best for Broken Phones)
- Accepts some damage, as long as phone still has value
- Instant offer, no haggling
- No need to fix before selling
2. Apple Trade-In
- Only accepts phones in good condition
- If broken, they offer recycling instead of cash
3. EcoATM
- Kiosk-based system in malls and Walmarts
- Accepts broken phones but pays very little
4. Private Sales
- Buyers may want broken iPhones for parts
- Expect low offers and haggling
Where Should You Sell?
| Want the most money? | Sell online (BuckUp, eBay, Swappa). |
| Need fast cash? | Use a buyback site (BuckUp, Gazelle, Decluttr). |
| Trading in? | Apple or your carrier is easiest—but offers less. |
Don’t Forget to Erase Your Phone Before You Sell It
- Back up your data to iCloud or a computer.
- Sign out of iCloud and Find My iPhone (Settings > Your Name > Sign Out).
- Factory reset (Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content).
Ready to sell? Get a fast, no-hassle offer for your iPhone at GoBuckUp.com 🚀
Citations
- Apple Trade-In: Apple.com
- Carrier Trade-In Programs: Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile
- Buyback Site Prices: Gazelle, Decluttr, Swappa
- iPhone Reset Guide: Apple Support