Boost Your Phone's Trade-In Price with These Proven Tips

If you plan to sell your phone eventually, maximizing its resale value becomes a top priority. To ensure you fetch the best price for your smartphone when the time comes to part ways with it, employing effective strategies is crucial. However, the trade-in valuation hinges on various factors.

The monetary outcome is significantly influenced by the phone’s condition, with cosmetic appearance being a pivotal factor. The difference in trade-in value can be substantial, ranging from £600 to £60, contingent upon the phone’s aesthetic condition. Recognizing the impact of your phone’s treatment on its value, here are ten steps you can implement to enhance its worth for trade-in purposes.

Maintain Pristine Condition:

To elevate the resale value of your phone, giving precedence to its physical state is essential. Ensure your device is well-preserved, aligning with the “good condition” standard that potential buyers utilize to gauge its value.

A phone in “good condition” typically displays:

– Slight to moderate wear or scratches consistent with regular use.

– Full functionality, with all features working seamlessly.

Around 80% of phones sold through phone resellers like PhoneBox fall into the “good condition” category. Conversely, a phone categorized as faulty may exhibit issues like a shattered screen, malfunctioning screen, faulty camera, charging port issues, or a malfunctioning microphone.

Illustrating the impact of the condition on trade-in value, consider the iPhone 12 Pro Max. A device in good condition can fetch up to £410, while a faulty version may only yield around £150. Thus, maintaining your phone in good condition is a logical step to enhance its trade-in value.

If your phone does exhibit faults, investing in repairs before selling becomes a viable financial decision, especially if the repair cost is outweighed by the potential increase in the resale value.

Invest in a High-Quality Phone Case

To uphold the pristine condition of your phone and ensure it remains free from scratches, nicks, and dents, consider acquiring a well-crafted case designed to safeguard the sides, rear, and front of your device.

Opt for a case that provides comprehensive coverage for your entire phone. A flip case proves ideal for this purpose, offering convenient access to your phone while offering complete protection. Such cases often feature a magnetic catch, ensuring continuous safeguarding of your phone and preventing accidental openings in your bag or if the device is dropped.

Acquire a Screen Protector

Preserving the value of your phone is significantly impacted by the condition of its screen. Scratches or chips on the screen can quickly diminish its worth, transforming a phone from being in good condition to a faulty one, thereby affecting its trade-in value—particularly if these minor damages escalate to cracks.

To safeguard against such scenarios, consider investing in a screen protector, with a tempered glass variant being the optimal choice. This type of protector serves as a shield, absorbing impacts and preventing damage to your phone’s actual screen. By ensuring the overlaid screen takes the brunt of any knocks, you effectively safeguard up to 70% of your handset’s value. With advancements in technology making phone screens, especially OLED displays, more expensive to replace, maintaining the screen in excellent condition becomes a logical approach.

4. Use Only Genuine Chargers and Cables

Despite the allure of lower prices, opting for a genuine charger and USB cable is crucial if you aim to maintain your phone’s value. While third-party chargers may be tempting due to their affordability, it’s advisable to stick to official charging equipment. If using third-party alternatives becomes necessary, ensure they are from reputable sources.

Although a 3m charging lead priced at £1.99 may seem convenient and economical, its suitability for your phone could be questionable. Charging cables with subpar electrical connections have the potential to damage your phone’s charging port, rendering it faulty and consequently decreasing its trade-in value.

Moreover, using unreliable chargers may pose risks such as the possibility of your phone catching fire, a scenario detrimental to retaining its value. Therefore, investing in genuine and high-quality charging accessories is a prudent choice for safeguarding both your device and its resale worth.

Keep Your Phone Away From Liquid

Preserving your phone’s value necessitates a vigilant approach to moisture protection. It’s not just about avoiding accidental drops in water; even atmospheric moisture can harm your phone. Consider whether it’s truly necessary to bring your phone into the bathroom during a shower, as the moisture can seep into the charging port, potentially damaging it and the battery.

Water and electricity aren’t the most compatible pair, so keeping the two separate ensures your phone remains unharmed.

Avoid Exposing Your Phone to Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, can adversely affect your phone’s internal components, leading to a faulty device and a subsequent reduction in value. Direct sunlight, for instance, can cause the battery to overheat, potentially resulting in swelling or, in extreme cases, an explosion.

In freezing conditions, batteries, especially Lithium-Ion ones, struggle to hold a charge, and a sealed iPhone may incur hefty fees for battery replacement. Cold temperatures can also cause component contraction, potentially breaking seals and allowing moisture to damage the handset.

Avoid Exposing Your Phone to Children

Children, being inherently clumsy, may inadvertently cause damage to your expensive phone. Their lack of awareness regarding the device’s value may lead to drops, screen bashing, or even the phone ending up in their mouth, introducing saliva into the charging port and damaging electrical contacts. Children’s accidents, whether intentional or not, can significantly reduce your phone’s resale value.

Consider Purchasing an iPhone

While this may seem like a subjective point, iPhones tend to retain their value longer than other Android smartphones. If maximizing trade-in value is a priority, opting for an iPhone from the outset can ensure a better return on your investment when the time comes to trade it in.

Unlock Your Phone Before Selling

Unlocking your phone with your carrier before trading it in can boost its resale value. Unlocked phones fetch more money as they are not tied to a specific carrier, allowing any user to insert their SIM card and use the device. This process, typically free once your contract ends, can significantly increase your phone’s trade-in worth.

Avoid Automatically Selling Your Phone to Your Network Provider

Although selling your phone to your carrier may seem convenient, it may not be the most cost-effective option. Utilizing sites like ours PhoneBox often yields significantly higher returns than selling directly to your carrier. Before assuming your carrier offers the best deal, compare its trade-in value against those offered by independent comparison websites to maximize your earnings.

Now that you’re equipped with these tips, maintaining or increasing your phone’s trade-in value becomes a straightforward process. Take good care of your smartphone, ensure it remains in excellent condition, and leverage our platform to sell your phone for the best resale prices based on your phone’s condition. Remember, good condition equals a good price, ensuring a successful phone trade-in experience.