Menu
Compare and Recycle Blog
Apple “Spring Loaded” Event 2021 Highlights
Apple hosted its virtual April event revealing updates to iPhone 12, iMac, iPad and making the long-anticipated AirTag official.
3 Min Read
Best Gaming Phones 2021
We take a look at best gaming phones of 2021 and what you can get for your money. Featuring the ASUS ROG, the New Black Shark and more!
6 Min Read
Understanding LTPO Displays: What Is It and Why Are They So Good?
We're taking a deep dive into LTPO displays to help understand what is behind the technology and its benefits for smartphones.
4 Min Read
What Are the Best Bluetooth Speakers?
We’ll be outlining our recommendations for the best bluetooth speakers currently available on the market that are low in cost but high in sound quality.
3 Min Read
OnePlus 9 Series: OnePlus Just Dropped Their Next Big Flagships
Find out what the new OnePlus 9 series bring to the table and what OnePlus have achieved in partnership with Hasselblad.
2 Min Read
How To Do Emergency Call Shortcuts on Mobile Phones
This article will outline how to enable emergency call shortcuts on mobile phones, which can be a useful feature to have if you ever feel that you’re in a dangerous situation.
5 Min Read
Finding Colour with the Oppo Find X3
The Oppo Find X3 is hitting the UK market exclusively with Vodafone, so you will want to know what makes the Find X3 special if you are going to drop over a grand on it.
6 Min Read
National Day of Unplugging
Why not take the time to unplug from your devices? Read on to find out how.
4 Min Read
Mate X2: Huawei’s Third Foldable Phone is Official
Huawei has officially announced the Mate X2- its third generation of foldable smartphone, and we take a look at the design improvements, features and specifications.
3 Min Read
The 70+ Age Group in the UK Has Been Using Technology Like Never Before
We asked a selection of people in the 70+ age group about their relationship to technology to see how the pandemic has changed their tech consumption habits.
5 Min Read
What Is GaN Technology and Why Is It the Next Big Thing for Smartphones
We’ve reached the point where components made of silicon such as transistors are as good as they’ll probably get to match our growing demand for high performance. Thankfully, research proves that gallium nitride is far more superior in properties and is on track to replace silicon in electronics. Let's discuss GaN's benefits and application methods in smartphones.
3 Min Read
Best Budget Phones under £200 to Choose From in 2021
Cheaper these days doesn’t mean worse as the models that have made our list offer a lot for the price, and make it even more attractive delivering superb performance for a considerably lower cost than the headline-grabbing flagships. Here are the very best budget smartphones £200 can buy.
3 Min Read
Valentine's Day Tech Gifts For Him
Looking for a Valentine's Day gift? We've got some great suggestions that will make your partner happy this Sunday.
2 Min Read
Best Mid-range Smartphones: Top 5 Picks for 2021
Many of the high-end feature sets made their way to mid-range phones in the past year, making these top five picks worth considering if you’re looking for a decent mid-range smartphone that doesn’t cost a fortune in 2021.
4 Min Read
Try These Relaxation Activities For Free
It is crucial to find a moment in your day to unwind, relax and recharge. We've picked a few free relaxation activities that you can do to help you reduce your anxiety and stress.
2 Min Read
Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra: What’s New in the Latest Galaxy Flagship Series?
Samsung has announced its new S21 series and we take a look at what's changed in the latest Galaxy S21, S21 Plus and S21 Ultra.
5 Min Read
How to Clean Your Phone
Find out how to make your phone germ-free.
2 Min Read
How Much Can I Sell My Samsung Galaxy For?
There’s absolutely one thing that you should do before upgrading to one of the new Galaxy S21 and that is finding the best price to sell your current Samsung phone. Let’s find out just how much you can sell your Samsung Galaxy S20, S10, S9 or S8 for.
3 Min Read
Smartphones in 2021: Trends We Are Expecting Next Year
The smartphone trends we’re expecting to see in 2021.
3 Min Read
Sustainable Smartphone Companies That Made Our "Nice List" in 2020
We've looked at organisations in the smartphone industry this year and decided who we think deserves a spot on our "Nice List". Read on to find out more.
4 Min Read
How To Be Eco-Friendly if You're Buying on Black Friday This Year
Here's how you can make the most out of Black Friday in a more eco-friendly way.
5 Min Read
Understanding 5G on Your iPhone 12: A Guide
Learn more about 5G settings and how it works on your iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max so you can make the most of it.
5 Min Read
What Is Royal Mail's Parcel Collect?
Did you know that you can use Royal Mail’s Parcel Collect service to send your phone to a recycler listed on our site? Here are the steps to book your collection with Royal Mail.
3 Min Read
Tips To Protect the Value of Your New iPhone 12
In this post we're discussing some common cases of how the resale value of your iPhone 12 can be affected within the first year, and we’ll give you the relevant tips on how to prevent your iPhone from losing you money when the time comes to sell it.
7 Min Read
UK Mobile Networks Will Be Banned From Selling Locked Phones
Ever tried to unlock your phone, only to discover that the process was trickier than expected? Don't worry, you're not the only one. The good news is as of December 2021, all of the UK’s mobile networks will be banned from selling locked handsets. A locked phone is a device which will only work from the provider that you initially bought it from.
2 Min Read
Apple's Environmental Report 2020 Highlights
Apple have released their environmental report for 2020, which outlines their sustainability practices across all stages of the supply chain, from manufacturing to packaging across all stages of the production cycle. We will be analysing this information and highlighting some of the key facts that Apple have disclosed in their report to see if they are on track to achieving their sustainability goals in 2030.
4 Min Read
iPhone 12 Environmental Reports
The new iPhone range has been released alongside their environmental reports, we analyse the individual reports and find out where any improvements have been made. Apple have an ambitious target of zero net emissions by 2030, we take a look to see if their devices are taking a step in the right direction.
4 Min Read
Which iPhone 12 Should I Get? iPhone 12 Mini, iPhone 12, iPhone 12 Pro or iPhone 12 Pro Max
The iPhone 12 model that you should get will depend on a number of factors, namely your budget and your preferences for your device’s features. In summary, the iPhone 12 Mini is a smaller version of the iPhone 12, while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is a larger version of the iPhone 12 Pro with some more sophisticated photography features.
5 Min Read
iPhone 12 Drops the Charging Adaptor, Gains 5G
This is our take on the brand new iPhone 12 lineup
4 Min Read
Find Out How to Get 90% More for Your iPhone When You Upgrade in 2020
We decided to do the hard work for you and compare the iPhone prices offered by Apple, network providers and merchants at Compare and Recycle to find out where you can secure the biggest payout for your iPhone.
8 Min Read
Apple Translate iOS 14 vs Google Translate
With a new translation app on the scene, iPhone users will be wondering how Translate (a new default for iPhones compatible with iOS 14) compares to Google Translate.
4 Min Read
How To Customise Your Apps for Free on iOS 14
iOS 14 recently became available on some of the later iPhone models from the 16th of September onwards. Alongside the usual security updates and slight alterations to device interfaces, Apple added widgets to iOS 14, which offers a new way to view your home screen.
3 Min Read
The Galaxy S20 Fan Edition: This Is What You Get for Your Money
Samsung did another Unpacked event on Wednesday the 23rd of September at 3pm (BST) to announce an unknown device. Now that the launch has happened, we know that the device in question is the Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition. This model is a rehash of the Samsung Galaxy S20 which came out in February 2020, but with some notable additions. Read on to find out what Samsung had to offer.
4 Min Read
What Happened at the Apple Launch Event?
We will be discussing exactly what Apple showed us at their ‘Time Flies’ event on Tuesday the 15th of September 2020 at 6pm.
5 Min Read
Apple One: How Much Money Can It Save You?
Apple have introduced their new Apple One subscription bundles and while monthly fees might sound a bit costly at first, we will be breaking down exactly how much money each of Apple One’s bundles can save you in the long run.
4 Min Read
September 2020 iPhone Price Predictions
When upgrading your old device, you want to know how much it's worth, so whether you are eyeing up the iPhone announcement or considering chopping in your old iPhone for something different, September is the month that has the most price fluctuations of any month.
3 Min Read
Does This September Offer the Best Prices Ever to Sell Your iPhone?
We have found that in September 2020, it could be the best time ever to sell certain iPhone models, due to some of the changes that we have seen. For some iPhone models, trade-in prices have increased in September alongside the annual hike in offers before the much-anticipated launch of the new iPhone 12 in a week’s time. Read on to find out more.
4 Min Read
What To Expect From the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2
Samsung has addressed the issues that were raised regarding the original Galaxy Fold, and they have since added several exciting new features that many consumers are likely to find useful. We will be explaining in detail what the Galaxy Z Fold 2 has to offer.
5 Min Read
What We Know So Far About the iPhone 12 Series
We will be looking at the rumours that have emerged regarding the iPhone 12 series, so that you can get an idea of what to expect to see from Apple next month.
3 Min Read
Everything You Need To Know About the Fairphone 3 Plus
As it has been emphasised often that the way the smartphone industry currently impacts the environment is unsustainable, there has been an outcry among environmentalists for a smartphone which adheres to the circular economy. Fairphone once again have succeeded at this with the Fairphone 3 Plus.
3 Min Read
Apple Versus Prepear: Another Case of Bullying?
Apple have opposed the use of a pear logo by a meal prep company known as Prepear, as they argue that the logo looks to similar to Apple’s. Prepear is an app which allows users to create and organise recipes and meal plans, and they have a minimalist green image of a pear as their company logo. Prepear’s problems began when the parent company Super Healthy Kids filed to register a trademark for the Prepear logo.
3 Min Read
2020: A Strange Year for iPhone Pricing
2020 is the year where we surrendered to chaos. Nothing followed the predictable routines and patterns that we were accustomed to, and when everything was upended by COVID-19, we saw that many things that we took for granted could change before our eyes, which then forced us to adapt and embrace change.
3 Min Read
You Snooze, You Lose: Time To Get The Most Money For Your iPhone
In the most comprehensive price tracking study that we have ever created, updated for 2020, we have looked at every iPhone recycling price since the iPhone 6 to understand what previous iPhone generations are worth now and how the upcoming iPhone 12 release will affect the value of older iPhones when you come to sell your iPhone.
13 Min Read
iPhone Trade-In Prices: Compare and Recycle vs Apple
As we’re getting closer to that time of the year when Tim Cook takes it to the stage to announce the latest lineup of iPhones, here at Compare and Recycle we’re seeing iPhone trade-in prices going up, while Apple has quietly devalued previous iPhone generations.
3 Min Read
The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Devices Are Here, But We Wanted More
The Samsung Galaxy Unpacked event introduced us to a plethora of new devices in the Samsung ecosystem, including two new smartphone models. These are the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. We have gathered all the information and will be giving you our hot take on these greatly anticipated Note 20 devices.
7 Min Read
What Happened at the Samsung Unpacked Event?
The greatly anticipated virtual Android launch of 2020 took place on Wednesday the 5th of August, and not only did Samsung unveil the long awaited Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but we also got to see some other products in the ecosystem if you want to buy complementary items to go with your new Galaxy device.
5 Min Read
Google Pixel 4a First Impressions and Sustainability
The Google Pixel 4a was released without much fanfare as it became available to order on the Google website rather than through the usual pomp of a phone release ceremony. While we missed out on the usual glamorous affair of a smartphone manufacturer presentation, all the specs are available to view online, meaning that you can still decide easily whether this is the phone for you. Without further ado, here are our first impressions of Google’s latest budget handset.
5 Min Read
How To Keep Your Phone Cool In A Heatwave
We all know what measures to take to protect ourselves from getting too hot: sun cream, hats, flip flops and staying hydrated. But how can we protect our phones from overheating? If you don't know the answer, no worries, as we have some tips that you can follow to help your phone survive a heatwave.
3 Min Read
Is the iPhone 11 Holding Its Value?
Make an informed decision when buying a new phone by looking at the rate of depreciation of last years' devices.
3 Min Read
Everything You Need to Know About Contactless Payments on Mobile Phones
It is becoming increasingly popular to make payments by using our mobile phones or our smartwatches. Here is everything you need to know about these kinds of contactless payments.
4 Min Read
OnePlus Nord Launch: Finally, a Phone to Get Excited About
So now that the event has happened, has the OnePlus Nord lived up to our expectations? The short answer is: yes, we are very impressed and we have not seen such an attractive smartphone offering for quite some time. Without further ado, here are our impressions of the OnePlus Nord.
6 Min Read