Big news for all Apple fans: the new iPhone 13 is finally here, which means it’s time to get rid of your older phone!

Apple held its annual online event on Sept. 14th to present its newest flagship iPhone 13, among other things. And that means that the older iPhone model you are currently using will continue to devalue at a rapid rate. So whether you are thinking of getting the new iPhone 13 or not, now might be the best time to recover the maximum possible cash value out of your older phone.

Here’s everything you need to know about reselling your used iPhone for cash.

How to Prepare an Apple iPhone for Selling?

Regardless of whether you are selling or trading in your older iPhone, there are few things to do beforehand. First, make sure you have the most recent iPhone backup, and if not, create it. Most iPhone users rely on iCloud to save and transfer their information once they upgrade. After backing up your smartphone, the next step is to remove any passcodes and passwords, linked email accounts, and Face ID. Also, be sure to turn off the “Find My iPhone” application and sign out your iCloud account. And once the Apple ID has been removed, you can proceed with resetting your iPhone to factory settings.

Used iPhone Selling Options

• Trade-in Platforms

Trade-in directly though Apple makes perfect sense for those who are upgrading their older iPhone models. Plus, you cannot beat Apple trade-in offers. And not only that, but you also get a piece of mind knowing that the manufacturer will repurpose your old iPhone in their production process. With Apple, you can trade in both online and in-store. However, it is important to note that only certain eligible iPhone and other Apple gadget models are actually qualified to trade-in for a store credit via e-gift card.

Another thing is that the Apple Trade-in program only offers credit for nearly perfect and fully functional Apple devices. So if your iPhone has physical damage or no longer works as intended, you may still be able to resell it elsewhere, but you will not receive trade-in credit for it. Apple will recycle it free of charge instead. 

Best Buy Trade-in also accepts used smartphones. However, we think it will work best for those who want to get an Android phone instead of their iPhone.

• Sell iPhone for Cash Yourself

This option gives users complete control over the iPhone selling process. For example, you can sell your iPhone for some extra cash to a friend or an acquaintance. Or you can take advantage of classifieds like Craiglist, OfferUp, or Facebook Marketplace. 

When posting your used iPhone for sale on a classifieds page, be prepared to take good sharp photos of it, describe its condition clearly, negotiate the price, etc. In other words, it can be quite a time-consuming process. Besides, the proposition is high, especially around a new iPhone release date when everyone sells their older phones.

• Online Buyback Sites

Using a buyback service is the fastest and the easiest way to sell your iPhone for some cash. It is convenient because the buyback company eliminates all hassles associated with the listing, negotiating, and such. Plus, you get an upfront dollar offer, and the turnaround time is usually shorter than trying to sell the phone yourself locally. 

The buyback site commits to deal with the whole selling process at no cost to you. At least we at Gadget Salvation do. So when selling a used iPhone to us, all you need to do is check out online, send the iPhone in and wait to get paid. Plus, we offer several instant payment options to choose from: PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle. But we can mail a check, too.

How to Sell an iPhone Online

Before you pick the right place to sell an iPhone for cash, you might want to learn how the whole online selling process works. It’s very straightforward and might be even easier than you think:

1. Look up your iPhone model on the company’s site and get an estimate. 
2. If you like your offer, complete the checkout form and get a free shipping label. 
3. Get a sturdy box to package your iPhone and its accessories and drop it off at your designated shipping carrier.
4. Receive your payment once the iPhone arrives at its destination.

Used iPhone Resale Value

The price of a preowned iPhone depends on its model, carrier, storage size, and condition (both functional and cosmetic). 

Price research can be extensive. So instead, we will give you a few examples of what we are paying here at Gadget Salvation:

• A preowned factory unlocked iPhone 11 Pro Max 512GB of storage in flawless condition can get you up to a $556 offer*
• Used iPhone 12 64GB unlocked can get you up to $366*.
• An older model, Apple iPhone X 256GB for Verizon, currently resells for $196 maximum.*
• And even older iPhone 7 Plus 128GB AT&T still goes for up to $90 online.* But not for long, as the new iPhone 13 release will continue to trigger further price drops on all older models. 

Bottom Line

Now that the new iPhone 13 with a bionic A15 chip is here, you can seize this moment to sell your older iPhone for the highest possible cash offer, as the prices of used smartphones will continue to go down. Apple fans who continue to upgrade are safe, as they will likely receive appealing trade-in offers directly from Apple. However, those who are switching camps should resell that used iPhone for cash sooner rather than later. And if you have any questions or need help getting an estimate, feel free to contact us any time!