How to sell or trade your old Android phone | US News

How to sell or trade your old Android phone

There are tons of new and exciting smartphones that have just hit the market (or are about to go), and it won't be surprising to find out that you're planning to upgrade from your current phone. Samsung has introduced two new folding phones Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 along with its flagship Galaxy S21 Ultra. Meanwhile, Google has released its latest mid-priced Pixel 5A and announced its upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

Whether you're looking to buy one of Samsung's new folding phones or the upcoming Google 6 phone without paying full price, trading in your old phone - or selling it - is a smart way to do so. On the other hand, there are people who decide to buy a lightly used phone from the older generation that suits their needs without breaking the bank.

If you have an older model and you're ready to upgrade, here are some steps to take to get your device ready to sell, depending on how much cash back you expect to earn. can. We're going to focus on Samsung and Google Pixel phones here, but you can probably expect similar results with phones from other vendors.

Inspect your phone:

If your old device is in good condition, you shouldn't have much trouble finding a new owner. As explained in our guide on how to sell your iPhone, having a phone in good condition is the key to finding a buyer who is willing to pay top dollar.

Even if your phone is not in the best condition, you should be able to get something for your business. Pay attention to its defects, including scratches, dents, cracks, and any other quirks that the next owner should be aware of. Tell the truth, otherwise it will probably come back to bite you.

Erase your phone:

There are three steps involved in wiping your Android phone securely. These steps may be slightly different depending on whether you have a Samsung, Pixel, or phone from another manufacturer.

First, the instructions for Samsung running Android 11:

Disable factory reset protection. This feature prevents your phone from being wiped if it is stolen. To disable it, all you have to do is turn off your screen lock. (You've set your screen lock, right?) Navigate to "Settings" > "Lock Screen" > "Screen Lock Type" and select "None."

Delete your account Navigate to "Settings" > "Accounts & Backup" > "Manage Accounts" and tap the account (or accounts, if you have more than one) listed there. Then tap on "Delete Account". (Incidentally, if you haven't backed up your phone recently, you can go to "Accounts & Backup" > "Backup" to do so.)

Factory reset the phone. The next step is to factory reset the phone to completely wipe all its data. Back on the main Settings menu, choose "General Management" > "Reset" to take you to the last step. Select "Factory data reset". You will get a warning page listing the data to be erased; any accounts you're still signed in to (and you should go back and delete them); And which apps will be removed. ready? Tap "Reset" (you will be asked to enter your Samsung account password).

Here are the instructions for the Pixel running Android 12 beta.

Disable factory reset protection. This feature prevents your phone from being wiped if it is stolen. To disable it, all you have to do is turn off your screen lock. (You've set up your screen lock, haven't you?) Navigate to "Settings" > "Security" > "Screen Lock" and select "None."

Delete your account Using Android 12, begin by navigating to "Settings" > "Passwords & accounts" and tapping on the account (or accounts, if you have more than one) listed there to erase your phone. Is. Then tap on "Delete Account". You will get a warning pop-up. Tap "Delete Account" again.

Factory reset the phone. The next step is to factory reset the phone to completely wipe all its data. Back on the main Settings menu, select "System". If you haven't backed up your phone to Google Drive recently, you can go to "Backup" and select "Back up now." Otherwise, going into "Reset Options" will take you to the last step. Select "Erase all data (factory reset)". You'll get a warning page listing the data to be erased, and if you neglected to sign out of any accounts, it will be listed there (and you should go back and delete it). Otherwise, tap on "Erase All Data".

Trade your phone?

When you trade in your phone to a manufacturer or carrier, you can trade price for convenience. It is up to you which one you choose.

At the time of publication, Samsung says it is offering trade-in credits of up to $750 on the Galaxy Z Fold3 5G or Z Flip3 5G. Interestingly, Samsung's offers are relatively generous. For example, a three-year-old Galaxy S9 will give you a $150 credit, a Galaxy Note 9 like the Galaxy S10 Plus goes up to $400, while if you're trading the Galaxy S20 5G Ultra, you can score a trade . for $750.

During its pre-order period, Google says it offers up to $600 for trade-ins. I pretended to have a Pixel 4 XL with 128GB of storage that was in working condition and free of cracks, and I was offered $170, while a Pixel 4a 5G with 128GB was priced at $190. A Pixel 3 with 128GB of storage cost me $58, and finally, a basic unlocked Pixel with 32GB or 128GB costs me $25.01.

As long as you read the small print, you may be able to find a good deal with the carrier. For example, Verizon is offering up to $800 off on specific new phones (like the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G) if you trade in a long list of phones (and commit yourself to your unlimited plan). Is.

Sell your phone:

As far as where you can sell your used phone, Swappa is a top destination with a healthy community of buyers and sellers. With Swappa, you create a list with the value; When your device is sold, you receive payment from Swappa and then ship the phone directly to the buyer. Swappa charges the buyer based on the price of the phone, but you are responsible for the shipping cost.

Since what you can get from a site like Swappa can vary, I looked at the suggested lowest price (for which you're more likely to find a buyer).

First, Samsung. A Galaxy S9 with 64GB in reasonable condition brought the low price of $129; A Galaxy Note 9 rated a low price of $219; A Galaxy S10 Plus comes in at $249, while a Galaxy S20 5G Ultra starts at $539. Even considering that these are the cheapest prices one will go for these phones, there is a huge difference in trade-in prices for these and Samsung.

Meanwhile, the original Pixel with 32GB of storage costs $62 less, while the Pixel XL costs $60 less. 64GB unlocked Pixel 2 costs $90; The 2 XL version was quoted with a lower price of $99. The 64GB unlocked Pixel 3 is in good condition, priced at $115; The 3 XL version in proper condition fetched a lower selling price of $95. In the end, you can score a Pixel 4 XL in good condition with 64GB for $250.

Of course, there are other sites where you can sell your phones.

Decluttr buys the phone from you and then sells it. The company gives you the price online; Then you send your phone to Decluttr within 28 days. The phone will be inspected; If there is a problem, you will be offered a revised price which you will have 14 days to accept or decline.

Gazelle works almost the same way: The company gives you the price online, and then you send your phone to Gazelle within 30 days. The phone will be inspected; If there is any problem, a revised price will be offered to you.

Best Buy lets you either mail it to your phone or bring it to your nearest Best Buy retail store; Either way, you can trade it in for an e-gift card.

Flipsy deals with a variety of retail sites; It will tell you how much sellers offer, and then you get 14 days to ship the device. Seller pays for shipping. If the seller does not agree with your evaluation, they will send a revised offer; Since each seller has their own return policies, it's a good idea to check before you ship.

And yes, there is eBay. Selling here can be a bit complicated, but basically you get 250 listings every month for free; Once you sell your item, there is a 10.2 percent fee plus a $0.30 transaction fee.

Other places where you can sell your phone for free (with absolutely no shipping charges) include Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist.

Whether you use one of the resources listed here to meet the cost of the new Google Pixel 6 or decide that the trade-in phone convenience is worth the extra bucks, it's up to you.