How to Sell an Old iPhone?

Before selling your iPhone : There are quite a few things that you need to keep in mind and follow.

If you are looking to sell your old iPhone to fund your purchase of an iPhone 8, you have quite a few options.


Option 1: Sell it yourself or send it to your friends

Selling your iPhone by yourself will net you the most profit, but it can be risky.

1.Craigslist

Craigslist is the riskiest option, but you will get cash for your device. The biggest challenge here isn't finding customers -- it's getting them to show up. Be prepared for flakes.

2. eBay

If you don't mind putting in a little work -- listing, shipping and paying a small sales fee -- eBay is a better option than Craigslist for selling your used iPhone. Because eBay offers its buyers purchase protection, people are more comfortable buying from strangers.

The downside? Fees. eBay does charge a sales fee for products that are sold through its site: 10 percent of the final value (selling price). 

The main downside to selling your iPhone on eBay is the potential risk of buyers' remorse. eBay offers both the seller and the buyer protection, but tends to side with the buyer in the event of a dispute, and scammers know how to take advantage of this. You can minimize your risk by documenting everything and shipping your device via a trackable service with proof of delivery.

Option 2: Trade it in

Trading in your device for cash, store credit or gift cards is the least profitable option, but you also won't be liable for any issues with the device once it leaves your hands. (Plus, if your iPhone is in less-than-great condition, some companies will still take it -- even if it doesn't turn on at all.) Trading in your iPhone instead of selling it is a great option if you're willing to give up a little profit for convenience and peace of mind.

I dug around for the trade-in options and found values can vary significantly depending on a number of factors. There's model and storage capacity, of course, but also color and carrier. You're also likely to get a price bump if your phone is unlocked and already has Find My iPhone deactivated (see above).

1.Apple's Trade Up program

If you have an older model, this is a potentially easy way to make your way to a new one, as trades net you Apple Store credit. 
Apple's estimated trade-in values (which vary depending on model and condition) are as follows: 
iPhone 6S: Up to $215iPhone 6S Plus: Up to $260iPhone 7 and 7 Plus: Not available until after iPhone 8 devices are announced.

2. Best Buy Trade In

In the past, Best Buy offered some of the better trade-in prices, but as of this writing, the big-box store's rates seem a little mixed. What's more, your money is paid out in Best Buy gift cards. That's fine if you're a Best Buy fan, or plan to buy your next iPhone there, but not ideal if you're looking to buy elsewhere.

Best Buy's trade values are based on carrier, color, capacity and, of course, condition. A few examples:

iPhone 7 (128GB) on Sprint, jet-black, good condition: $214iPhone 7 Plus (256GB) on Sprint, silver, good condition: $252

3. Gazelle

Gazelle is a third-party trade-in company that offers straight cash (via check or PayPal; they also have an Amazon gift card option) for your device. If your iPhone is broken and no longer turns on, there's a good chance Gazelle will still pay you between $50 and $75. Gazelle tends to offer less for carrier-locked phones, so you may want to unlock your phone before trading it in.

iPhone 7 (256GB), flawless condition: Up to $375iPhone 7 Plus (256GB), flawless condition: Up to $420

4.Nextworth

Nextworth, like Gazelle, is a trade-in company that offers cash via check or PayPal. Nextworth also pays for broken phones. Unlike Gazelle, Nextworth offers more for some carriers, specifically Verizon. In fact, Nextworth will give you $315 for a 128GB Verizon-locked iPhone 7 in perfect condition, versus $300 for the same phone unlocked.

iPhone 7 (128GB), gold, unlocked: $300iPhone 7 (128GB), silver, Verizon: $315iPhone 7 Plus (256GB), gold, unlocked: $350iPhone 7 Plus (256GB), rose gold, Sprint: $345

Have you ever sold or traded an iPhone? If so, what method did you use, and how was the experience?