We’re living in the age of constantly-advancing technology — and nowhere is that truer than in the world of cell phones. If you think it’s time to sell off your current Android phone and upgrade, recoup can recoup some of the money you spent by selling your current phone. But where is the best place to sell an old Android phone and how can you make the most money possible when you decide to list?
Today, we’re giving you a crash course in everything you need to know about selling an Android phone. We’ll take a look at some of the things you should consider before you sell your phone as well as some of the characteristics of reliable marketplaces. Finally, we’ll introduce you to eight of our favorite sites where you can sell your Android phone.
Best Place to Sell Your Android:
- Decluttr - Get cash for your Android now
- QuickSell.com - Instantly sell your Android
- Swappa
- Gazelle
- Amazon Trade In
- Facebook Marketplace
- Craigslist
What to Consider Before You Sell Your Android
No matter if you only want to sell an old personal phone or you’re starting a side-hustle refurbishing electronics, consider these key factors before you list your Android for sale.
Carrier
If your phone has a particular carrier associated with it, it can only be used on that carrier’s cell network. If your phone doesn’t have an associated carrier, it’s an “unlocked” model and can be used on any service.
Condition
The better condition your phone is in, the more money you can sell it for. Take a look at your phone and search for cosmetic and functional defects. Be sure to photograph or explain anything wrong with the phone to prevent buyer chargebacks later on.
Generation
More recent Android models are in higher demand because they have more features and larger storage capabilities. Be sure to include your phone’s model in your listing or intake form when you sell.
Price
Most people have no clue what their old phone is actually worth, which may lead them to over or underprice it. Do a bit of research on your phone before you sell to see what the average going rate is. This will help you avoid overpricing it or accepting a lowball offer.
What to Look for in an Android Marketplace
Where you sell your phone matters! When you compare Android marketplaces, be sure to keep your eyes open for these key characteristics.
Popularity and Reputation
Choosing a well-known marketplace ensures that you’ll actually get your money after you send in your old phone. Don’t be afraid to do a bit of research and read previous customer testimonials before you choose where you want to sell your phone.
Seller Protections
Seller protections prevent buyers from committing fraud or scamming you after committing to buying your phone. Look for sites that offer robust seller protections, like requiring the buyer pay before you ship and fund holdings.
Fees
Almost every website will charge you some kind of fee to sell your phone. Make sure you understand each marketplace’s fee schedule before you list.
Our Top Picks
Now that you know how online sales work and what to look for in a marketplace, let’s take a look at how to make money selling your Android with these top choices.
- People looking for a convenient, secure way to sell their items
Decluttr
Decluttr is another great source for Android sales. Decluttr is an electronics and media buy-back site that makes it simple to get the most money for your old Android phone. Just answer a few questions about the phone you want to sell, request a “welcome kit” with a free shipping label and send your old device off to Decluttr. You’ll receive payment one business day after Decluttr receives your phone.
You can sell an Android phone in almost any condition with Decluttr. However, if your phone is damaged in any way, you’ll need to list your phone as “faulty” condition and accept a lower offer. You must list your item as “faulty” no matter how minor the damage on your Android phone is.
QuickSell.com
Looking for a simple way to sell an old Android phone? Look no further than QuickSell.com. Quicksell makes it easy to trade in your old Android phone for cash. Just answer a few questions about your device, get an instant quote, send your phone in and receive payment.
One of the biggest benefits of choosing QuickeSell.com to sell your old Android phone is that you can sell your device in almost any condition imaginable. While you’ll obviously get the most money if you sell a phone in mint condition, you can also sell off an old phone that’s broken and recoup some cash. QuickSell.com buys phones with defects of all kinds, ranging from minor cracks to phones that won’t turn on. This can be a major benefit if you have a broken phone and you don’t know what’s wrong with it, as the company decides what your phone is worth for you upon inspection.
Swappa
Not in a huge rush to sell your Android? Consider listing your old phone on Swappa. Swappa allows you to set up a listing for your phone and choose how much you want to sell it for. No idea how much your old phone is actually worth? No problem — Swappa will provide you with sales data that can help you choose a reasonable price. From there, all you need to do is snap a few photos, complete your listing and wait for a buyer to choose your phone.
Unlike Decluttr and Quicksell.com, Swappa doesn’t actually buy your phone. Instead, you’ll sell to another Swappa user who happens to be searching for a device like yours. While this often means that you’ll make more money from your sale, it can take a while to sell your Android — especially if you have an older model.
- Quick Payments
Gazelle
Looking for a simple way to sell off an old Android phone? Consider Gazelle’s marketplace. Gazelle is a buy-back site with an incredibly simple and intuitive trade-in process. Begin by entering information about your device’s carrier, storage and condition on Gazelle’s website. You’ll receive an instant offer that you can accept or reject. If you accept the offer, Gazelle will send you a free prepaid shipping label to pack up your device with. They’ll even send you a box to ship it in if you need one.
After you send in your device, you’ll need to wait for Gazelle to verify the phone’s condition and specifications. So long as everything looks correct, you’ll receive payment instantly through PayPal. You can also choose to get paid with an Amazon.com gift card or through a check. Simple, fast and intuitive, Gazelle is an excellent buy-back site that anyone can quickly master.
Amazon Trade-In
Amazon.com offers a buy-back program that includes almost every type of Android phone. Just answer a few questions about your device, receive an immediate offer and ship off your phone. You can track your buy-back status quickly through your Amazon.com account, and the site claims that most people receive their payment within ten days of shipping their phone or device. The process is easy, convenient and Amazon will even cover shipping for you.
The one downside to trading in your phone with Amazon is that you can only get paid in the form of an Amazon.com gift card. Then again, this might not be a big deal for you if you can find your next phone on Amazon — and with hundreds of models to choose from, chances are high that you can.
Facebook Marketplace
Facebook’s new Marketplace feature gives anyone the opportunity to sell to their local community. Making a listing on the Facebook Marketplace is easy, and you can do it through your social media account. Just snap a few photos of your phone, create a listing that details some of the key features of the device and wait for the buyers to contact you. Facebook automatically serves your listing to men and women who listed themselves as living in your area.
Most people who sell something on the Facebook Marketplace do so because they need quick cash. However, it’s important to remember that the Marketplace doesn’t offer the same seller protections as other sites. You may need to meet your buyer in-person to exchange the item, so taking steps to protect yourself is crucial. Only agree to meet in a well-lit public area like a library or restaurant parking lot. Only accept cash for payment or use a peer-to-peer currency app like Facebook Pay, Venmo or Cash App. This will prevent the buyer from requesting a charge-back later down the line.
Craigslist
Craigslist is another great option if you don’t mind selling your device in-person for cash. Craigslist is an online classifieds site that allows anyone to quickly create a listing — all you need is a valid email address. Like Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist serves your listing to local buyers who are browsing in your area. Many people create both a Craigslist sales page and a Marketplace sales page to maximize their pool of potential buyers.
Selling Your Android and Protecting Your Data
Selling an old phone before you buy a new one is smart. However, remember that you also need to take steps to protect yourself and your personal data before a sale. Always return your phone to factory settings before you hand it off to a buyer. Factory resetting your phone removes all of your cached pages, saved passwords and personal information, preventing the next owner from seeing or using it. If your phone won’t turn on or you can’t reset it, only sell to a trusted third-party buy-back site.
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About Sarah Horvath
Sarah is an expert in the insurance, investing for retirement and cryptocurrency space.