By Visible - July 25, 2023
We’ve all been there: you see an ad, or maybe you hear about it from someone you know… Either way, the new phone is out, and you’d like it. This is just one of many scenarios that may leave you asking, “How much is my phone worth?” But before you start posting for the highest bidder on social media, let us introduce… Us. Well, our Trade-in program, specifically. It’s a way to get paid for a phone you don’t want or need. And it’s all done in just a few simple, secure, and (of course) rewarding steps:
Like cars losing value when you drive off the lot, the value of a phone decreases as soon as it leaves the factory. So before you even open it, it's worth less. Different phones and brands depreciate differently. Some brands retain their value better than others, and legally, we can’t tell you which do.
A " locked " phone may mean it hasn't been fully paid off with your current carrier or an outside brand you're financing it through. A phone could also be locked for other reasons, but this is the most common. Regardless, a locked phone is not worth more or less than the same unlocked phone..
Car analogies work here because even totaled cars have pieces and parts that can be used by other people, even if it doesn't run. In the same vein, a phone that's broken or damaged will still have value.
While broken or damaged phones still have value, the difference is in the level of damage. A phone that doesn't work is worth less than one that does. A broken battery or cracked screen will also impact the value. Whenever you trade in your phone, the buyer will usually give a valuation of its condition, influencing its overall value.
As we said earlier, your phone loses value when it leaves the factory and continues to do so over time. But not all hope is lost because there are certain times when the general value of a phone goes down: when you open it from the case AND when the next generation of that phone's announced.
To have faith that you’re getting what your phone’s worth from a carrier who cares about you – that’s priceless. Your phone is not priceless though, it’s worth something. And you can find out exactly how much right now with our program. Take the leap and get paid for your old phone!