PHONES GUIDE
The best place to sell old phones depends on your device
Choose where to sell an old phone by comparing the complete offer and the work involved. The model, storage, condition and account status matter more than a general promise that one buyer is always best.
Identify the phone you are actually selling
Find the full model and storage capacity in the phone's settings, purchase record or original box. Include whether it is working, any visible damage, known battery problems and previous repairs. A similar-looking model with different storage is not necessarily the same enquiry.
Describe intermittent faults as well as obvious ones: unreliable charging, poor microphone performance or a screen that sometimes fails to respond. Say when a specification is uncertain. If you have several phones, list the model, quantity and condition of each rather than describing the whole batch as good.
Compare selling routes on their complete terms
Private selling lets you create the listing and negotiate, but you also handle buyer messages and the transaction. A specialist buyer assesses the phone against its own buying requirements. A trade-in scheme may offer credit towards another device, so check whether that outcome suits your plans.
Compare money with money and credit with credit. Check fees, handover arrangements, inspection conditions and what happens if the description differs from the device. Do not rely on an advertised maximum for a different model or condition. Keep the details submitted with each enquiry so the comparisons stay consistent.
Prepare your information and accounts
Check that the photos, contacts and other information you want to keep are backed up or transferred before erasing the phone. Follow the current instructions for your manufacturer and software version. Apple's selling preparation guide and Google's old-device reset guide cover account removal and preparation.
Remove your personal SIM and memory cards and deal with any eSIM according to your provider's instructions. Do not put account passwords, recovery codes or banking details in an enquiry. If the phone is locked or will not start, explain the situation before agreeing a handover.
Ask EXE for a considered offer
EXE's phone enquiry is free and carries no obligation to sell. The Redhill team reviews the details manually. If the phone is suitable, agree the equipment, inspection and handover before proceeding. Payment is by bank transfer after inspection and agreement of the offer.
Redhill visits require an appointment. UK post-in must be agreed first, and collection is confirmed only for eligible higher-value devices or suitable batches. Choose the arrangement for your phone rather than assuming that a location automatically qualifies for collection.
Know when a sale is not the right outcome
Some phones may suit repair or donation; others will need electrical recycling. Payment is not automatic for every old handset. Use Recycle Your Electricals to find a collection point if reuse is unsuitable.
Do not ship a phone with a swollen, leaking or otherwise damaged battery. Tell the receiving organisation first and agree an appropriate local route. Royal Mail's prohibited-items guidance excludes defective or damaged lithium batteries from the post.
Sources and further guidance
Follow the official instructions for your own device and software version.
www.exe.co.uk — www.exe.co.uk — about uswww.exe.co.uk — contactsupport.apple.com — 109511support.google.com — 17299872recycleyourelectricals.org.uk — www.postoffice.co.uk — what can i sendTell us what you have.
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