cashdTrade In or Sell Your Old iPhone? What Each One Actually Pays
Trade-in programs are fast and easy: get a quote, ship or drop off the phone, and get credit. They're also almost always the lowest offer you'll get. The company buying your phone has to resell it at a profit, so the quote sits well below what another person would pay you.
See what your phone is worth
Below are live used prices for each iPhone, from current eBay listings and updated daily. Compare them with your trade-in quote, and the gap is what selling it yourself is worth.
Updated Oct 5, 2026. General information, not financial or tax advice; offers and terms change, so check the provider's site before you act.
At a glance
- Trade-in is the fastest option, and almost always the lowest offer.
- For a recent iPhone in good shape, selling it yourself often pays $100+ more.
- Old, cracked or low-value phones: take the trade-in and save the hassle.
What used iPhones sell for right now
Typical asking price and the middle of the market from current eBay listings, updated daily. Compare with your trade-in quote.
When trading in makes sense
Trade-in wins when the phone is old, damaged, or low value, or when your time matters more than the difference. A cracked iPhone 11 might sell for little more than a trade-in quote once you count fees, shipping and the hassle.
It also makes sense when a carrier or Apple runs a promotion that pays well above normal trade-in value for a new phone purchase. Those offers can beat selling, but they're usually paid as bill credits spread over 24–36 months and tied to staying on the plan.
When selling yourself pays more
For any recent iPhone in good condition, selling privately usually pays noticeably more than a trade-in quote, often $100 or more on newer models. The work is a listing, a few messages and a shipment, or a local meetup.
Before you sell: back up the phone, sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My (buyers can't use it otherwise), then erase it. Include the exact model, storage and battery health percentage in your listing; those three set most of the price.
- eBay reaches the most buyers, and its fees come out of the sale price.
- Facebook Marketplace has no fees for local pickup; meet somewhere public and take cash or an instant payment.
- Swappa specializes in used phones, and buyers there expect fully working, unlocked devices.
Other tech: the same rule
The same gap shows up for MacBooks, iPads, game consoles and AirPods: trade-in is quick, and selling pays more. For anything worth more than about $150, it's usually worth listing. Below that, a trade-in or a fixed-price buyer like Decluttr can be the better use of your time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Apple Trade In worth it?
It's the easiest option and works well for older or damaged phones. For a recent iPhone in good condition, selling it yourself usually pays noticeably more. Compare your quote with the live used price above.
What do I need to do before selling or trading in an iPhone?
Back it up, sign out of your Apple ID, turn off Find My, and erase all content and settings. A phone still linked to your iCloud account can't be activated by anyone else.
Where is the best place to sell a used iPhone?
eBay reaches the most buyers; Facebook Marketplace avoids fees for local sales; Swappa is focused on phones. Scan your phone in Cashd to see what it's worth and where it sells best.