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Selling your phone yourself usually has the higher cash ceiling. Trading it in is usually faster and easier, and it can win when a retailer or carrier promotion is worth more than the cash you’d net. Neither route is always better. The answer depends on your exact model, storage size and condition, on what kind of payout you’d get, and on whether you’d actually use it. This guide shows how to compare real offers and prepare the phone safely. It is U.S.-oriented, and prices and promotions change often.
The short version: when each route wins
- Sell directly if the phone works, is paid off, and you want cash. You accept the work of listing, photos, buyer questions and shipping.
- Trade in with a manufacturer or retailer if you’re already buying from them and want a low-effort handoff. Count store credit or gift cards only at the amount you will really spend.
- Use a carrier promotion if you were going to upgrade on that carrier and stay on the plan for the whole credit period. Verify the written terms first.
- Use a buyback service if you want a quote-and-ship process and are willing to give up some of the potential direct-sale price.
- Recycle if the phone has little resale value or you don’t want to sell it.
How the routes compare
| Route | Upside | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Direct marketplace sale | You set the asking price and can get cash. Marketplaces give you a structured listing and payment process. | Fees, shipping, photos, buyer questions, time to sell, eligibility rules, return and dispute policies. |
| Manufacturer or retailer trade-in | Low effort. Value may apply to a purchase or arrive as a gift card or store credit. | Eligibility, inspection, deadlines, account locks, revised quotes, restrictions on how credit is used. |
| Carrier promotion | Can be a large value on a qualifying upgrade. | Required plan, eligible models and condition, how long bill credits last, and what happens to remaining credits if you leave. |
| Buyback service | Quote, ship and get paid, with little buyer contact. | Payout method, shipping and return terms, and price cuts after inspection. |
| Recycling | Gets an unused device out of the drawer. | Use a reputable program and erase the phone first. |
Run the numbers on your own phone
Build one row per real offer, using the same condition description and the same date for each.
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Direct sale
Take a realistic sale price. Look at comparable sold listings for your model, storage and condition, not at optimistic asking prices. Subtract marketplace and payment fees, shipping and packing, and any prep or repair cost. Then weigh the time it takes and the chance it sits unsold.
Trade-in
Start with the actual quote or promotional credit. Subtract any purchase or plan commitment you wouldn’t otherwise take on. For a gift card, count only what you expect to spend. For carrier bill credits, look at the whole schedule, because credits can be lost if you cancel service or stop meeting eligibility. Swappa, an interested marketplace publisher, says carrier credits are commonly spread over 24 to 36 months. Treat that as a general claim. The carrier’s current terms are what count.
#1 Best Overall
- YOUR CONTENT, SUPER SMOOTH: The ultra-clear 6.7" FHD+ Super AMOLED display of Galaxy A17 5G helps bring your content to life, whether you're scrolling through recipes or video chatting with loved ones.¹
- LIVE FAST. CHARGE FASTER: Focus more on the moment and less on your battery percentage with Galaxy A17 5G. Super Fast Charging powers up your battery so you can get back to life sooner.²
- MEMORIES MADE PICTURE PERFECT: Capture every angle in stunning clarity, from wide family photos to close-ups of friends, with the triple-lens camera on Galaxy A17 5G.
- NEED MORE STORAGE? WE HAVE YOU COVERED: With an improved 2TB of expandable storage, Galaxy A17 5G makes it easy to keep cherished photos, videos and important files readily accessible whenever you need them.³
- BUILT TO LAST: With an improved IP54 rating, Galaxy A17 5G is even more durable than before.⁴ It’s built to resist splashes and dust and comes with a stronger yet slimmer Gorilla Glass Victus front and Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymer back.
Buyback
Take the quoted cash and subtract any fees. Allow for a lower revised valuation after inspection, and confirm who pays shipping and what happens if you reject a revised offer.
What the numbers can look like
Swappa’s seller page, accessed in 2026, listed average sale prices next to its own trade-in figures for several iPhones. These are snapshots from one marketplace, not guaranteed offers, independent studies or stable values. They show how big the gap can be, not what you’ll be offered.
Rank #2
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with Verizon, Spectrum, AT&T, Total Wireless, other CDMA carriers, it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- 4G LTE Bands: B1/B3/B5/B7/B8/B20/B28/B38/B40/B41
- Display: Super AMOLED, 90Hz, 800 nits (HBM) | 6.7 inches, 110.2 cm2 (~86.0% screen-to-body ratio) | 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~385 ppi density)
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
| Model | Average sale (Swappa) | Trade-in (Swappa) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone SE (3rd gen, 2022) | $151 | $56 |
| iPhone 13 | $292 | $138 |
| iPhone 14 | $341 | $169 |
| iPhone 15 | $451 | $212 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | $588 | $299 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $774 | $410 |
No cross-market study or government statistic comparing average trade-in and direct-sale proceeds turned up, so don’t assume a fixed percentage premium for selling. Swappa’s own comparison argues that peer-to-peer sales often return more. That claim comes from a seller of that service, so check it against quotes for your phone.
Rules that can block or change your deal
Condition and payoff status
Swappa’s marketplace allows carrier-locked phones but requires the phone to be fully paid off and in full working condition. It excludes broken phones. Other outlets set different rules, so read the ones for the service you choose.
Rank #3
- Please note, this device does not support E-SIM; This 4G model is compatible with all GSM networks worldwide outside of the U.S. In the US, ONLY compatible with T-Mobile and their MVNO's (Metro and Standup). It will NOT work with other CDMA carriers, and it is also not compatible with their MVNO (Visible, Xfinity Mobile, US Mobile, Cricket Wireless, etc).
- Compatibility with certain third-party devices and accessibility accessories, including some hearing aids, may vary depending on manufacturer support, Bluetooth protocols, software compatibility, and regional firmware limitations. For additional hearing aid compatibility information, please refer to Samsung’s official support documentation.
- Camera: 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 50 MP, f/1.8, (wide), 1/2.76", 0.64µm, AF | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro). Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable | A power adapter is NOT included.
Apple Trade In terms
Apple’s terms say Trade In is run by a third-party vendor. The device must be yours or authorized for trade, with no lease, contract commitment or other third-party interest attached. Value is subject to inspection. The vendor can revise the quote if:
- the condition differs from what you described;
- Find My iPhone isn’t removed; or
- the phone isn’t received within 14 days of the trade-in box being delivered.
If the quote changes, you’re contacted to accept or decline. The transaction is final unless you decline the revised value. Apple also makes you responsible for backing up and deleting your data. These are Apple’s terms, not rules for every trade-in program.
Rank #4
- Charger NOT Included, 6.7" Super AMOLED FHD+, 90Hz Refresh Rate, 385 ppi, 800 nits (HBM), 1080x2340px, 5000mAh Battery
- 128GB, 4GB RAM, microSDXC, Exynos 1330 (5nm), Octa-Core, Mali-G68 MP2 or Mali-G57 MC2 GPU
- Rear Camera: 50MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 5MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) + 2MP, f/2.4 (macro), LED flash, panorama, HDR; Front Camera: 13MP, f/2.0, Android 14, up to 6 major Android upgrades, One UI 6.1
- 3G: HSDPA 850/900/1700(AWS)/1900/2100; 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/12/13/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/39/40/41/48/66/71, 5G: 2/5/25/41/66/71/77/78 SA/NSA/Sub6/mmWave - Nano-SIM + eSIM
- US Model – Global Connectivity – Compatible with Most GSM Carriers like T-Mobile, AT&T, MetroPCS, etc. Will Also work with CDMA Carriers Such as Verizon, Straight Talk.
Fees on trade-in services
Swappa’s trade-in FAQ says its service has no quote or listing fees and prepaid shipping, with return policies varying by partner. Confirm this for any service before you ship.
Recommended Free Tools
Wipe the phone before it leaves your hands
The FTC’s consumer advice puts it plainly: “Before you trade in, sell, give away, or recycle your phone, remove your personal information.” This applies to every route above.
Best Value
- GSM Unlocked: Enjoy seamless connectivity with your preferred GSM carrier. Compatible with T-Mobile, Metro PCS, AT&T, Cricket, Mint Mobile and other GSM networks. SIM card not included. For network compatibility, please check with your carrier. Note: Not compatible with CDMA networks like Verizon (Visible, Spectrum Mobile, US Mobile, Total Wireless, Straight Talk Wireless)
- Boundless Views: Enjoy immersive viewing on the spacious 6.5” HD+ display. Whether you're watching videos, browsing, or gaming, every detail comes through with stunning clarity.
- Smooth Performance, All Day: Powered by an efficient octa-core processor, the G35 ensures smooth performance for your everyday tasks. Enjoy faster app launches, seamless multitasking, and reliable speed.
- Snap, Share, Repeat: The G35 features a dual rear camera setup for sharp, detailed shots, and a front-facing camera that’s perfect for selfies and video calls. Capture every moment with ease and clarity.
- Effortless Access: Keep your phone secure with A.I. Face ID technology. Instantly unlock your G35 with just a glance. It's fast, easy, and secure.
- Back up what you want to keep, and confirm it’s accessible on the new device.
- Remove the SIM and any SD card. Transfer or deactivate service as appropriate.
- Unlink accounts and trusted devices. The FTC’s January 2025 upgrade guidance says to do this before the factory reset. Authenticator apps may need to be reactivated on the new phone, so make sure you can get into your accounts first.
- Sign out and turn off account locks following the maker’s current instructions. For an iPhone, that means turning off Find My iPhone. Apple Support has model- and OS-specific steps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices sent to Apple, so use those rather than a generic menu path.
- Erase or factory reset the phone, and remove its eSIM profile if the device prompts you to.
- Document it. Photograph the phone’s condition and keep the quote, shipping receipt, tracking number and final payment or inspection record.
If the phone has no resale value
If you won’t sell, trade or give the phone away, recycle it. The FTC suggests checking the manufacturer, your carrier or a local electronics store. Erase it first, as above.
Quick Recap
A simple way to decide
- Get a trade-in quote from the retailer or carrier you’d buy from, and one buyback quote.
- Check recent sold prices for your exact model and condition, then subtract fees and shipping.
- Discount any credit you might not fully use.
- If the direct-sale net beats the best trade-in by an amount that’s worth your time, sell. Otherwise trade in.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
