Are you thinking about selling your old iPhone? With a variety of services available across the United States, there’s more than a few ways to sell your iPhone for some extra cash.
We searched the web to find all of the top resellers, trade-ins and marketplaces you could use to sell your iPhone, gathering them into this complete guide. We’ll look at the pros and cons of each service, and compare the different offers you might get for your used iPhone.
In anticipation of the iPhone 7 coming later this year, we decided to look at what you might be able to get right now for an iPhone 6s.
Retail Value: $649
All quotes and estimations provided in US Dollars and sourced in May 2016.
Sell your iPhone: Trade-ins & Resellers
Trade-in and reseller options will typically buy your iPhone, offering you cash for your device once its condition is fully assessed by the company. In this case, you don’t have to worry about finding a buyer for your iPhone – these companies act as the direct buyer of the device.
Trade-in options usually offer quick payment on a store gift card, encouraging you to bring in your iPhone for some money back to upgrade to a newer model. On the other hand, resellers are looking to buy and refurbish your iPhone to sell again online. They handle both sides of the business by buying and selling used devices for consumers.
Orchard: up to $450 USD
Reseller: Orchard directly pays for your used iPhone to resell online. We offer three selling times: one day, two weeks or three weeks. The longer you are able to wait, the more money we can offer you.
Payment: PayPal, Amazon Gift Card or cheque
How it works: Simply install our Orchard app onto your iPhone which quickly tests, prices and registers an iPhone for sale. We will immediately send you a full pre-paid shipping kit. Once your selling time ends, or if your phone sells even sooner, you’ll receive your funds on PayPal, cheque or an Amazon Gift Card.
Pros
- We offer the highest amount for your iPhone
- Easy to use app
- Complete pre-paid shipping kit
- Variety of quick payment options
Cons
- Have to wait up to 3 weeks if you want the full value for your iPhone
- In some instances, repairs might lower the final value we can offer you
Itemcycle: up to $395 USD
Reseller: Itemcycle directly pays for your used iPhone to resell online. They purchase nearly any Apple device from iPhones to MacBook Pros. After some refurbishments, Itemcycle sells these devices on their eBay store to make a profit.
Payment: PayPal or cheque
How it works: Select your model to get an instant quote from Itemcycle. They provide a pre-paid shipping label for the phone and once it has been verified you are instantly paid via PayPal or cheque.
Pros
- Buys more than just iPhones, also accepts any Apple devices
- Instant payment (upon verification) with PayPal or cheque
Cons
- Only provides a pre-paid shipping label for your device, you’ll have to find your own box
- Itemcycle is a very new startup company that only just launched earlier this month
uSell: up to $351 USD
Trade-In: uSell directly pays for your used iPhone to trade-in online. They will then handle finding a buyer to sell your phone.
Payment: PayPal or cheque
How it works: Get an instant quote from uSell to start. They will send you a pre-paid shipping kit for the phone and within a few days you’ll get paid via PayPal or cheque.
Pros
- Complete pre-paid shipping kit
- uSell pays directly for the iPhone, no need to find a buyer
Cons
- Low value offered for iPhones
- Unclear who the “professional buyers” are
- Mailed cheque add additional waiting times for your payment
Apple Renew: up to $350* USD
Trade-In: Apple directly pays for your used iPhone to trade-in and recycle for parts. They’ll get money from the materials and then potentially make more on the activation of a new iPhone.
Payment: Apple Store Gift Card
How it works: The Apple Renew program will pay you to recycle your iPhone. Just select your model and Apple will send you a pre-paid shipping kit to mail the iPhone in. After the estimate is verified, you’ll receive your payment. You can also bring your iPhone into your local Apple Store.
Pros
- Apple safely recycles your old iPhone
- Apple Store Gift Card helps you purchase a newer iPhone
- Available in-person at Apple Stores
Cons
- Payment is only available on an Apple Store Gift Card, forcing you to shop there
- Tries to make you activate a new iPhone at the Apple Store
Sell Cell: up to $350 USD
Trade-In: Sell Cell connects you with various iPhone recycling companies across the United States.
Payment: PayPal or cheque
How it works: Using the Sell Cell service, you can check all the available offers for your device at various phone recycling companies across the United States. Once you pick an offer, you’re redirected to that buyer’s website to complete entering your information.
Pros
- Connects your with a variety of different offers
- Ability to choose a buyer that best suits your needs
- Most payment options handled via PayPal or cheque
Cons
- Sell Cell does not directly handle any of the selling process
- Redirected to another buyer’s website
- Various shipping and payment methods depending on the buyer
NextWorth: up to $342 USD
Trade-In: NextWorth directly pays for your used iPhone to trade-in online. They are not in the business of reselling used iPhones, at least not online. Through partnerships with local stores they also offer in-person trade-ins.
Payment: PayPal or cheque
How it works: Get a quote from NextWorth based on the condition of your iPhone, print off the UPS shipping label to send it in and within about a week you’ll receive payment on PayPal or cheque.
Pros
- NextWorth pays directly for the iPhone, no need to find a buyer
- Partnerships will local stores allow in-person trade-ins
- Quick payment via PayPal or cheque
Cons
- Low value offered for iPhones
- Uses large processing centres which cut into what they can offer customers
- Only provides a pre-paid shipping label for your device, you’ll have to find your own box
Gazelle: up to $340 USD
Reseller: Gazelle directly pays for your used iPhone to resell online. They then refurbish and sell these used electronics on the same website.
Payment: PayPal, Amazon Gift Card or cheque
How it works: Get an offer from Gazelle based on the condition of your phone. You’ll receive a shipping box to send it back and then get paid with an Amazon Gift Card, PayPal or cheque.
Pros
- Complete pre-paid shipping kit
- Gazelle pays directly for the iPhone, no need to find a buyer
- Quick payment with a variety of options
- Accepts a wide variety of other electronic devices
Cons
- Low value offered for iPhones
- Handles large quantities of devices, stored in warehouses – cuts into what the company can offer the customer
- Gazelle tries to encourage customers to choose an Amazon Gift Card for a higher payment
GameStop & Best Buy: up to $340 USD
Trade-In: GameStop and Best Buy directly pays for your used iPhone to trade-in at their stores. The focus is on giving customers incentive to upgrade their old devices with payment on a gift card.
Payment: GameStop or Best Buy Gift Card
How it works: Both of these electronics and gaming stores offer trade-ins for gift cards. Simply bring them into your closest location to get them traded for a GameStop or Best Buy Gift Card. You also can get a quote online based on the condition of your device.
Pros
- Convenient locations across the United States
- Unique trade-in offers and promotions throughout the year
- Instant payment on a gift card
Cons
- Low value offered for iPhones
- No option to sell online via mail-in
- Payment is only available on a gift card, encouraging you to make another purchase at the store
Amazon: up to $300* USD
Trade-In: Amazon directly pays for your used iPhone to trade-in online. The focus is on giving customers incentive to get rid of their old devices with payment on a gift card.
Payment: Amazon Gift Card
How it works: Using Amazon’s Trade-In categories, search for a listing that matches your device. As long as it is in “at least acceptable condition” the phone will be taken. You can print a pre-paid shipping label and you’ll receive an Amazon Gift Card as payment.
Pros
- No need to verify the condition before selling
- Payment is quickly offered on a gift card
- Variety of offers to choose from to sell your device
Cons
- Trade-in system is confusing and not user-friendly
- Duplicate listings make it hard to choose which device matches your own
- Only provides a pre-paid shipping label for your device, you’ll have to find your own box
Sell your iPhone: Marketplace options
The marketplace options can show you an estimated value for your iPhone and let you handle the listing to find a buyer. Marketplaces often have higher selling prices for iPhones, but you’ll have to weed through the scammers to find a legitimate offer. It can be a messy business, but if you’re willing to put in the time and effort you might end up with more money for your device.
Prices listed below are only estimations dependent on a buyer.
eBay: about $280 – $550* USD
Marketplace: We all know what eBay is great for, allowing you to buy and sell just about anything online. They make their money through the various upgrades available for postings.
Payment: PayPal
How it works: Create your own post on eBay, add images, set your price and wait for a potential buyer to bid on your iPhone. Once it sells, you’ll ship it to the buyer and wait for the funds to be released over PayPal.
Pros
- Higher selling prices for used iPhones
- Secure PayPal transactions
- eBay has services to dispute any issues or scams that might occur
Cons
- Some fees are charged for certain listing features
- The process of listing and receiving payment can take a while
- Might not find a buyer or receive the highest value when the selling window ends
Craigslist: about $450 – $550* USD
Marketplace: Craigslist is essentially an online classifieds section, allowing you to buy and sell just about anything. They actually make most of their money through job postings in major US cities.
Payment: Cash
How it works: Create your own post on Craigslist, add images, set your price and wait for a potential buyer to email you. Once they cax,n agree on a price, you’ll usually have to meet up to make the exchange.
Pros
- Higher selling prices for used iPhones
- Ability to find local buyers who are interested in your device
- Instant transfer of funds (meeting up with your buyer)
Cons
- Craigslist is notorious for the large amount of scammers
- There are plenty of reasons not to sell on places like these
- Can be dangerous meeting a buyer, potential to get scammed out of money
Swappa: about $500* USD
Marketplace: Swappa is an online marketplace specifically designed for buying and selling smartphones. They make their money through buyers’ fees, while seller postings remain free.
Payment: PayPal
How it works: Swappa’s user-to-user marketplace lets you list your iPhone for sale. Other users can then purchase your phone, and the money is processed directly through PayPal.
Pros
- Higher selling prices for used iPhones
- First time seller’s get paid faster
- Secure PayPal transactions
Cons
- Swappa’s marketplace is still open to scammers
- Swappa has limited services to handle issues or disputes
Glyde: about $363* USD
Marketplace: Glyde is another online marketplace specifically designed for buying and selling electronics. They make their money through various fees included in the process.
Payment: e-Transfer, Bitcoin or cheque
How it works: Glyde is another marketplace to sell your used iPhone. Specify the condition of your device and set a price to create your listing. You’ll receive a pre-paid shipping box to send in your used iPhone. Money can be accepted via an e-Transfer to your bank, cheque or even Bitcoin (if that’s still a thing).
Pros
- Allows you to set a price for your iPhone based on current market value
- Listings are automatically created for you, without the need for descriptions or photos
Cons
- Glyde takes a portion of your money for using their service
- Shipping kits are available at a cost to the seller
- May have to wait to find a seller willing to pay for your iPhone
The easiest experience + the most money = Orchard
Not to toot our own horn, but compared to all the trade-in and resale options out there, Orchard offers the most convenient way to sell your iPhone for the most money.
We certainly can’t compete with the high value of marketplaces, meaning a DIY sale will always be more lucrative. But marketplaces come with their fair share of problems and that’s why we think the convenience of Orchard pays for the difference in price.
Compared to the other trade-in and reseller options out there, Orchard offers up to $450 for a used iPhone 6s 16GB, that’s about 15% more than next leading trade-in or reseller!
So the next time you’re wondering where to sell your iPhone, weigh the pros of trade-ins and resellers against the cons of marketplaces. If you’re looking for the easiest option to sell your old iPhone, download the Orchard app and get some extra cash the simple way.