How to Sell Broken iPhones for the Best Price

Do you have an Apple iPhone with a cracked screen, dead battery, or other cosmetic or functional issues? If so, you could be thinking about where the best place to sell a broken iPhone is. Instead of letting your broken phones collect dust in a drawer, why not sell broken iPhones and keep them out of the electronic waste stream?

The amount you can get for your broken iPhone can depend on a few things - like the phone’s model, storage capacity, type and extent of damage, resale value, and more. Of course, where you sell your damaged iPhone is a big factor as well - and the difference between places can be staggering. For example, Apple has offered $0 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB that won’t power on, has non-functional buttons, or minor cracks. But third-party buyback service SellCell would give you $650 for the same phone. In a 2024 comparison of 40 independent online iPhone buyback businesses, SellCell users earn on average 47% more cash than carrier trade-ins. With the widespread used and refurbished smartphone market valued at nearly $70 billion in 2026, there’s never been a better time to cash in on your old device. Find out how you can get the most cash for your used iPhone!

Why Should You Sell a Broken Phone?

Even if your iPhone has a shattered screen, won’t turn on, or requires frequent recharging, there are still valuable components under the hood that can be recycled. When you sell a broken iPhone, you’ll get a return on your investment that you can put toward your next device - and the numbers might surprise you.

For example, while Apple offers $0 trade-in value for an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB that won’t power on, has non-functional buttons, or minor cracks, third-party buyback services like SellCell would offer as much as $650 for that same device. According to a September 2024 comparison of 40 independent online iPhone buyback companies, SellCell users earn on average 47% more cash than carrier trade-ins. Even phones with a cracked screen or frame can fetch 30-50% of brand-new value, while totally faulty devices typically still bring in 10-20%. That’s real money left on the table if you let a broken iPhone collect dust in a drawer.

It’s also worth noting that iPhones hold their value exceptionally well - losing just 22.35% of their value on average in the first year, better than any other smartphone brand according to ecoATM data. That means acting sooner rather than later will get you the best return. In fact, when Apple announces a new model, the previous generation typically drops 15-20% in resale value within weeks - so timing really does matter.

The broader market backs this up, too. The global used and refurbished smartphone market is now valued at nearly $70 billion in 2026, meaning demand for secondhand and broken devices has never been higher. Buyers and refurbishers are actively competing for your old iPhone, broken or not.

Additionally, selling your broken iPhone is an environmentally conscious decision. Smartphones contain toxic materials that should never end up in landfills, where they can leak harmful substances into the air, soil, and water. Selling your device keeps it out of the waste stream and helps reduce the demand for new iPhone production.

And of course, we all like to channel our inner Marie Kondo sometimes. Decluttering your home by selling broken electronics is a satisfying way to tackle a spring clean - any time of year!

How Much Can You Get for Your Broken iPhone Today?

There are several important factors in play when determining resale values for used electronics. How much you’ll get for a broken iPhone depends on its model, condition, and where you choose to sell it. Let’s walk through each category and discuss how it affects your iPhone’s worth.

Model and Storage Capacity

Whether you have a broken iPhone or one in flawless condition, its exact model and storage capacity will always have a big impact on its resale value. For example, if they’re in similar condition, a newer phone like an iPhone 16 with 512 GB of storage will almost always be worth more than an iPhone 7 with 32 GB of storage. The good news? iPhones hold their value better than any other smartphone brand - losing just 22.35% of their value on average in the first year, according to ecoATM data from 2024. It’s also worth noting that when Apple announces a new model, the previous generation typically drops 15-20% in resale value within weeks, so timing your sale matters.

Type and Extent of Damage (Cracked Screen, Dead Battery, etc.)

You might be surprised by what types of broken iPhones you can still sell. Many broken phones still have decent resale value, depending on what’s wrong with them. Here are a few common issues that may not prevent you from getting a solid payout for your used device.

• Cracked Screen: This is an extremely common problem, and one that often won’t prevent you from selling your phone. Especially if it still turns on and has a responsive touchscreen, you can still get a decent payout. Devices with a cracked screen or frame typically fetch 30-50% of brand-new value, so there’s still real money on the table.
• Back Glass Damage: Visible back-glass damage typically results in a 15-40% cut from most trade-in programs. For a phone worth $400 in perfect shape, that means you could still walk away with roughly $240-$340 - not bad for a damaged device.
• Battery Problems: Does your battery drain too fast or require frequent recharges? Does it fail to power on at all? Usually, these issues can be resolved by replacing the battery, which isn’t too terribly difficult. Even phones with significant battery issues can still fetch 10-20% of their original value.
• Water Damage: This is where things start getting tricky. Phones with mild water damage that still turn on might still get a reasonable offer. That said, extensive water damage can make selling a broken iPhone difficult.
• Locked Device: If you have a locked iPhone, it might not be possible to resell it. This is especially true if it’s still logged into your Apple ID or iCloud account. Many resellers and buyers refuse to purchase iPhones that are activation locked.

Where You Sell Your Apple iPhone

The other major factor when determining the value of your old phone is where you choose to sell it. In short, some buyers will pay much higher prices than others. And with the used and refurbished smartphone market now valued at nearly $70 billion globally in 2026, there are more options than ever for turning a broken iPhone into cash. Let’s quickly discuss a few different ways you might sell your phone and how they can affect its resale value.

• Online Marketplaces: There’s a market for broken iPhones on sites like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. These sites are full of resellers who refurbish broken devices, and you can often get a reasonable price for them. That said, there are some significant hassles involved with these platforms. If you don’t want to create and maintain a listing for your phone, negotiate with potential buyers, or wait for lengthy shipping periods, this might not be the best route for you.
• Pawn Shops: Pawn shops are known for their instant payments, but they often offer bargain-basement prices, especially for broken iPhones. In fact, many pawn shops will only buy and sell iPhones that are in good working order. There’s often some haggling involved when selling items at pawn shops as well.
• Official Trade-In Programs: Apple has its own in-house trade-in program, and your wireless carrier (i.e., T-Mobile, Verizon, etc.) likely has one, too. You can even trade in a used device at Best Buy. However, these programs are often the worst option for damaged devices. To put it in perspective, Apple offers $0 for an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB that won’t power on, has non-functional buttons, or has even minor cracks - while third-party buyback services may offer $650 or more for the exact same phone. Furthermore, even when these programs do make an offer, they’ll typically only provide store credit rather than cash.
• Third-Party Buyback Sites: Independent buyback companies can be a strong option for getting real cash for a damaged iPhone. According to a 2024 comparison of 40 independent online buyback companies, SellCell users earn on average 47% more cash than carrier trade-ins. If you’re going this route, it pays to compare offers across multiple buyers before committing.
• ecoATM: Here at ecoATM, we proudly offer cash for most iPhone models, although how much you get still varies based on the iPhone’s model and condition. We pay great rates for a wide variety of devices, and we offer a convenient, simple process for selling them. Just visit your nearest ecoATM kiosk or use our online pricing tool to see how much you can get!

How to Prepare Cell Phones for Resale

No matter where you sell it or how much you’re getting for it, you’ll need to follow a few important steps to get your iPhone ready for resale.

First, you should back up your phone to prevent the loss of personal data. You can use iCloud to create a backup file, or you can transfer your important files (photos, videos, app data, etc.) to a computer using a USB cord.

Next, you’ll sign out of your Apple accounts and any other logins you have stored on your iPhone. Remember that you will often be unable to sell your device if it’s still an iCloud-locked iPhone. “Find My iPhone” should also be deactivated at this time. This sets the stage for erasing all your data from the device by performing a factory reset. This restores the iPhone to its original factory settings and prepares it for use by its new owner. Once your data is completely wiped, you can skip ahead to the next step.

This is also a good opportunity to remove your SIM card if you have one. Newer-model iPhones use eSIM only and don’t have a physical SIM card slot, but if your model has one, you’ll want to take that card with you before handing off the device.

Finally, depending on where you sell it, you might want to include your iPhone accessories (or not!). For example, when you sell your iPhone at an ecoATM kiosk, we don’t offer any additional money for your chargers, cords, original packaging, etc. While we accept these items for recycling (just drop them in our accessory bin), we won’t increase your payout if you include an Apple Watch with your iPhone, for example. That said, if you sell your iPhone on a marketplace like eBay or Swappa, buyers may want these accessories and could offer more money if they’re included.

One important timing tip: if Apple has recently announced a new iPhone model, keep in mind that the previous generation can drop 15-20% in resale value within just a few weeks of the announcement. If you’re on the fence about selling, it’s generally better to act sooner rather than later to maximize what you get.

Here are some concrete, sourced facts to keep in mind:

• According to a September 2024 comparison of 40 independent online iPhone buyback companies, SellCell users earn on average 47% more cash than carrier trade-ins.
• Apple offers $0 trade-in value for an iPhone 15 Pro Max 1TB that won’t power on, while third-party services like SellCell would offer as much as $650 for the same device.
• iPhones with cracked screens can fetch 30-50% of brand-new value, while totally faulty devices typically still bring 10-20%. Most trade-in programs cut 15-40% for visible back-glass damage - meaning a phone worth $400 in perfect shape could yield just $240-$340 after damage is factored in.
• iPhones lose just 22.35% of their value on average in the first year, holding value better than any other smartphone brand, according to ecoATM data.
• When Apple announces a new model, the previous generation typically drops 15-20% in resale value within weeks - making timing your trade-in critical.
• The used and refurbished smartphone market is valued at nearly $70 billion globally in 2025, reflecting strong and growing demand for secondhand devices.

How to Sell Your Broken iPhone at an ecoATM Kiosk

Here at ecoATM, we offer top dollar for used phones and tablets, and we’ll often still offer cash payouts (or a Venmo or PayPal transfer) for broken iPhones. To find out how much you can get, use the “Price Your Device” tool on our website or visit your nearest ecoATM kiosk. With over 6,000 kiosks in reputable retail centers from coast to coast, it’s likely that you live or work near one of our locations.

One of the big advantages of ecoATM is our commitment to protecting the environment. To date, we’ve already helped recycle over 50 million smartphones and tablets, reducing e-waste and contributing to the circular economy. When you bring your old device to an ecoATM kiosk, you not only get competitive prices, you also get the peace of mind that your broken iPhone will be responsibly recycled.

It’s worth knowing what to expect when selling a damaged iPhone. Devices with a cracked screen or frame typically fetch around 30-50% of their brand-new value, while totally faulty devices may land in the 10-20% range. Most trade-in programs also cut 15-40% for visible back-glass damage - so for a phone worth $400 in perfect shape, that could mean $240-$340 after damage is factored in. And if you were hoping Apple would take back a broken iPhone? Think again: Apple offers $0 for devices that won’t power on, have non-functional buttons, or show visible cracks. With the used and refurbished smartphone market now valued at nearly $70 billion globally in 2026, third-party buyers like ecoATM are often your best bet for real cash on a damaged device.

It’s also worth remembering that iPhones hold their value better than any other smartphone brand - losing just 22.35% of their value on average in the first year, according to ecoATM’s own 2024 data. That means even a broken iPhone likely still has meaningful resale value. Just keep in mind that when Apple announces a new model, the previous generation typically drops 15-20% in resale value within weeks, so timing your sale sooner rather than later can make a real difference.

We offer some of the highest trade-in values you’ll find anywhere, and there’s no need to wait - we offer cash today! We buy iPhones and other Apple products in all sorts of conditions, so bring all of your unwanted devices to your local ecoATM kiosk and experience how our hassle-free process works.

With ecoATM, you can make a positive impact while making some quick cash. What’s better than that?

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