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For most sellers, the best choice depends on the trade-off: use Apple Trade In for convenience when buying another Apple device, Swappa for a strong balance of price and effort, eBay for the broadest audience, a carrier promotion only when you already want its plan, and a buyback service when speed matters more than maximum value. Recycle an unsafe, locked, blocked, or worthless phone rather than trying to sell it.
Before choosing, check one direct-sale price and at least two trade-in or buyback quotes. Compare the final net payout—not just the headline offer—after fees, shipping, plan costs, store-credit restrictions, and your time.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $185.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $217.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 12, 64GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $188.47 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 64GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $165.28 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 12 Mini, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $183.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The fastest way to choose
| Your priority | Best first option | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Simple Apple upgrade | Apple Trade In | Online or in-store; usually Apple credit or a Gift Card rather than cash. |
| Higher likely net price with moderate effort | Swappa | Private marketplace with listing review and 3% seller and buyer fees. |
| Largest potential audience | eBay | More reach, but fees, shipping, returns, disputes, and listing work reduce the net. |
| Fast quote and prepaid shipping | Back Market Trade-in or another verified buyback service | Convenient, but inspection can produce a lower counteroffer. |
| Maximum carrier promotion | Your current or intended carrier | Often paid as monthly bill credits and tied to a qualifying plan, device, and deadline. |
| Broken or no-value device | Apple recycling or a certified electronics recycler | Do not casually ship a swollen or damaged battery. |
What your iPhone is worth
There is no responsible universal 2026 price chart. Value changes with the exact model, storage capacity, condition, battery health, carrier-lock status, repair history, current demand, and selling channel. A quote valid on August 16, 2026 may not be valid later in the month.
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Value is also affected by whether the phone is fully paid off, has a clean IMEI, is free of Activation Lock, and contains original or replacement parts. An unlocked iPhone generally reaches more buyers than a carrier-locked one, but a locked device can still be sold if the carrier and restriction are disclosed.
#1 Best Overall
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Compare quotes in this order
- Record the exact model, storage capacity, carrier, battery health, and condition.
- Check Apple Trade In.
- Check your carrier’s ordinary market-value offer and, separately, any promotional offer.
- Get a buyback quote from a service such as Back Market Trade-in.
- Check recently sold—not merely listed—examples on Swappa or eBay.
- Subtract fees, shipping, packaging, payment costs, repair costs, and the value of your time.
Use this calculation:
Net payout = sale or trade-in amount - fees - shipping - packaging - insurance - repair costs - expected dispute or return costApple Trade In: best for a simple Apple upgrade
Apple Trade In supports online and retail-store trade-ins. Depending on the transaction, the value can be applied to an Apple purchase or provided as an Apple Gift Card. Apple also says eligible devices without trade-in value can be recycled for free.
Apple is a good fit when you are already buying from Apple, want a straightforward process, or prefer Apple credit to negotiating with a buyer. It is usually a weaker choice if you need cash or have a desirable, high-capacity model that could command more privately.
The online estimate is not necessarily final. Apple’s terms allow the offer to change after inspection if the phone’s condition differs from the description or Find My has not been removed. Apple’s current trade-in FAQ also describes a 14-day return deadline in the online trade-in flow after receiving the new device; confirm the terms attached to your transaction.
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Carrier trade-ins: separate market value from promotional value
Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile may offer either an ordinary market-value trade or a much larger promotional trade-in. These are not equivalent.
Market-value trade
This is based mainly on the phone’s model, capacity, and condition. Payment may be made through a gift card, account credit, PayPal, or another method, depending on the carrier and offer.
Promotional trade
A headline such as “up to $1,000” commonly requires a qualifying new phone, plan, line, upgrade or switch, device financing, and an inspection deadline. The value is often distributed through monthly bill credits. Credits may stop if you cancel service, change eligibility, pay off the device early, or otherwise fail the promotion’s terms.
For example, Verizon says devices from any carrier can be submitted and that market-value trades may be paid through a Verizon Gift Card or PayPal credit. T-Mobile’s terms distinguish offer prices from promotional credits and tie eligibility to the offer’s expiration, model, and condition.
Rank #2
- Fully unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US-Cellular, Cricket, Metro, etc.).
- Inspected and guaranteed to have minimal cosmetic damage, which is not noticeable when the device is held at arm's length.
- Successfully passed a full diagnostic test which ensures like-new functionality and removal of any prior-user personal information.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a charging cable that may be generic.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Calculate the full commitment:
True carrier cost = new phone price + required plan or line costs + activation or upgrade fees + taxes - guaranteed credits actually receivedA carrier promotion is only the best financial option if you would choose that carrier and plan anyway. Do not compare a conditional, multi-month credit with an unconditional cash quote as if they were the same.
Swappa: the best balance for many working iPhones
Swappa is a direct marketplace for working devices. Sellers create a listing, the listing is reviewed before going live, and Swappa says payment is delivered before the seller ships. Its stated fee is 3% for the buyer and 3% for the seller when an item sells.
Swappa is often the strongest middle ground for an unlocked, fully functional iPhone. You can generally seek more than a buyback quote without dealing with the full exposure and complexity of a broad marketplace. The trade-offs are listing work, buyer questions, shipping, and possible post-sale issues. Broken devices are not allowed under ordinary listing requirements.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsDisclose the exact model and storage, carrier and unlock status, battery percentage, cosmetic wear, repair history, replaced or nongenuine parts, and whether Face ID, cameras, speakers, microphones, buttons, charging, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular service work. Swappa also provides an IMEI/ESN checking process for clean or blocked status. Do not publish the full IMEI or serial number in a public listing.
eBay: broad reach, but calculate the fees
eBay can be useful for rare colors, large-capacity models, and sellers who are comfortable creating detailed listings. Its broad audience may improve the chance of finding a buyer, but that does not guarantee the highest net payout.
eBay’s cited U.S. fee table lists up to 250 zero-insertion-fee listings per month in many categories and a general final-value fee of up to 13.6% on the total sale amount up to $7,500, plus a per-order fee. Category, seller, and policy details can differ. The fee calculation may include the item price, shipping collected, sales tax, and other applicable amounts.
Photograph every side of the phone, the About screen, battery health, ports, and any defects. Keep the IMEI private, use tracked shipping and appropriate insurance, record the package weight, and retain drop-off proof. Keep payment and communication on eBay; its fee-avoidance policy restricts taking transactions off-platform.
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Back Market Trade-in: convenient quote and shipping
Back Market Trade-in is a buyback workflow, not the same as listing a phone for sale to an individual. The seller accepts a quote, enters payment details, and receives a prepaid shipping label or QR code. Back Market’s current guidance says sellers must be at least 18 and ship within 21 days of receiving the offer.
Rank #3
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
A refurbisher generally has two business days to inspect the device. Payment typically appears in the bank account within three to six business days after approval, depending on the bank. If the condition does not match the description, the refurbisher may make a counteroffer. Rejecting it results in the phone being returned under the program’s terms.
This route suits someone who wants a quote and does not want to negotiate or manage a listing. It is not ideal for immediate cash or for a phone whose condition is borderline and likely to be downgraded.
Best Buy: useful if you want store credit
Best Buy’s trade-in program offers in-store and shipped options subject to eligibility and location limitations. Payment is through a Best Buy Gift Card, and the value can change based on condition, documentation, accessories, and other requirements.
Best Buy is convenient if you are already shopping there and will use the credit. It is a poor fit if you need cash or can earn substantially more through a private sale.
Local sales: potentially high net payout, higher safety risk
Facebook Marketplace and similar local marketplaces can avoid shipping and platform commissions, allowing a quick handoff. They also create more exposure to fake payment screenshots, reversed payments, counterfeit cash, theft, unsafe meetings, and buyers who attempt to swap devices or claim damage after the transaction.
- Meet in daylight in a public, camera-covered location, ideally a police-station exchange area or staffed carrier store.
- Verify payment in your own banking app before handing over the phone. Do not trust screenshots, emails, overpayment claims, or courier requests.
- If accepting cash, meet at a bank or have the cash checked.
- Let the buyer test the phone while you remain present.
- Erase the phone only after payment is final and the buyer confirms it is no longer linked to your account.
- Provide a simple receipt with the model, sale date, and “sold as described,” without unnecessarily exposing the full IMEI.
Prepare the iPhone before selling
1. Back up and transfer your data
Use Quick Start, an iCloud backup, or an encrypted computer backup through Finder or Apple Devices/iTunes as applicable. Separately confirm that photos, messages, authenticator accounts, eSIM information, password-manager access, and other important data are available on the new device.
Do not erase the old iPhone until the replacement has been tested and critical accounts have been recovered.
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2. Resolve financing and ownership
Confirm that the phone is fully paid off and is not leased, subject to an upgrade-program return, reported lost or stolen, or tied to an unresolved insurance claim. Contact the carrier if there is any doubt. A marketplace listing does not remove an installment balance or a blocked IMEI.
Rank #4
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
3. Check the carrier lock
On a current iPhone, go to:
Settings > General > About > Carrier LockThe desired result for an unlocked phone is generally No SIM restrictions. A phone working with your current SIM is not proof that it is unlocked.
4. Disable Find My and remove Activation Lock
Go to:
Settings > [your name] > Find My > Find My iPhoneTurn off Find My and authenticate when prompted. Activation Lock is different from a factory reset: an erased phone can still be unusable to the next owner if it remains linked to your Apple Account.
If the phone is already gone, sign in to Find My, select the iPhone, erase it if necessary, and choose Remove This Device after erasure when available. Never give a buyer your Apple Account password.
5. Erase the iPhone
After your data is safe and Find My is disabled, use:
Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and SettingsRemove a physical SIM. For an eSIM, erase the cellular plan when prompted or follow the carrier’s instructions. Erasing the phone does not cancel your carrier account or transfer your phone number.
6. Document condition
Before shipping, record the front, back, sides, camera lenses, screen, ports, battery-health screen, Carrier Lock screen, About screen, and Parts and Service History if shown. A short video showing the phone powering on and functioning can help resolve a later dispute.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Describe condition precisely
- Excellent or very good: intact screen, minimal wear, all functions working, strong battery health, no Activation Lock, and no undisclosed repair concerns.
- Good: light scratches or normal wear, minor battery degradation, and all functions working.
- Fair: visible scratches or dents and possibly reduced battery health, but all major functions working.
- Damaged or parts-only: cracked glass, failed Face ID, dead camera, speaker, microphone, charging port, or cellular radio; water damage; failure to power on; Activation Lock; bad IMEI; or a hazardous battery.
Disclose the battery percentage rather than simply saying “good battery.” Disclose replaced screens, batteries, and any “unknown part” or nongenuine-part message. Avoid repairs unless the expected increase in sale value clearly exceeds the repair cost and risk.
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The phone is financed
Do not list it as unencumbered. Ask the carrier whether the balance must be paid before transfer, whether the phone can be unlocked, whether it is eligible for trade-in, and whether promotional credits continue after payoff or transfer. Selling a financed phone may violate the financing agreement or leave the buyer with a blocked device.
Best Value
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- When you receive the phone, insert a SIM card from a compatible carrier. Then, turn it on, connect to Wi-Fi, and follow the on screen prompts to activate service.
- Accessories will not be original, but will be compatible and fully functional. Product may come in generic Box.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
The phone has a bad IMEI or is lost or stolen
Do not sell it. Contact the carrier or insurer. A clean factory reset does not fix a blocked device.
The phone will not turn on
Check whether a current carrier or buyback offer explicitly accepts nonworking devices. Otherwise consider a parts buyer, repair shop, or certified recycler. Do not mail a phone with a swollen, damaged, or defective battery. Apple’s trade-in guidance includes battery-shipping safety requirements.
The trade-in quote is reduced
Compare the inspection reason with your original description and your photos. Accept the revised offer only if it remains worthwhile. When the program allows rejection, reject it if the amount no longer makes sense and retain the inspection report, emails, and tracking information. Apple and Back Market both describe revised offers or counteroffers when inspection differs from the submitted condition.
The phone was sent with Activation Lock enabled
Sign in to your Apple Account yourself and remove the phone from Find My. Do not disclose your password. If you cannot remove the lock, contact the platform or buyer through the official transaction channel and expect the sale or trade-in to fail.
Illustrative net-payout comparison
Suppose a private marketplace sale appears to bring $600:
$600 sale price
- $36 platform fee
- $15 shipping
- $5 packaging
= $544 estimated netThis is only an example, not a current quote. Replace every figure with the actual fee, shipping cost, and offer for your model. A $75 higher headline price may not be worth the listing time, negotiation, return risk, and dispute exposure.
Bottom line
Sell an unlocked, fully working, desirable iPhone privately when the expected net premium is large enough to justify listing and shipping it. Start with Swappa for a manageable private sale and use eBay when its larger audience justifies its higher complexity and fees.
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Quick Recap
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.
