Can I Sell My Broken Phone?

Short answer: yes. You can always sell your broken phone, even if it’s damaged, faulty, or not working at all. While you may worry your phone is useless, recyclers will happily pay you for your broken phone as it can be refurbished and sold again. Even if the phone is damaged beyond repair, the critical raw materials inside it can be extracted and recycled.

So, not only can you get rid of your phone, you’ll be paid for it. Plus, recycling your phone goes a long way in keeping the Earth greener for long.

Where Can I Sell My Broken Phone? 

On the Compare and Recycle platform. Simply go to our website and type in your phone’s model name, and select its storage capacity. Under conditions choose ‘Broken’, and you’ll be able to see offers from different recycling companies. You can pick the offer that suits you best. Our recyclers offer free postage, DPD collection, and multiple payment options, including PayPal.

What counts as a ‘broken’ phone?

 A “broken” phone can include a wide range of issues, from cosmetic damage to serious faults. Our merchants will assess the condition of your phone after receiving the device. 

Below some of the common types of damage your phone may present:

Physical damage

• Cracked or shattered screen

• Scratches, dents, or broken buttons

Heavy cosmetic wear as well as severe damage, especially one that affects touchscreen functionality, will reduce your phone’s value. 

Internal faults

• Battery not holding charge

• Faulty speakers or camera

• Device not turning on 

Internal damage means you’ll get a lower price for your broken phone as repairs will cost more, and this is something the recycler will have to pay to bring your phone up to standard.

Water damage

• Exposure to moisture or liquid

• Corrosion or internal failure

Many recyclers offer very low prices, or may not accept water-damaged phones at all. 

How much will I get for my broken phone? 

How much money you get for your broken phone will depend on the type and extent of damage. Minor defects like cosmetic damage won’t affect its worth much. However, if the damage is severe, including water damage, the price will be considerably reduced. 

The make and model of your phone also comes into play, with expensive and newer models such as the Galaxy S25 Ultra fetching a relatively higher price. Additionally, if recyclers have to source parts or the cost of repairing the phone is high, your payout will be smaller.  It's essential to compare offers from multiple sources (that’s where we come in).

In some cases, it may even be worth comparing the value difference between broken and poor/good to decide if a repair is worthwhile. If you have phone insurance, you may be covered for the cost of the repair.

Do I need to do anything before selling my broken phone?

Before selling your phone (broken or otherwise), always transfer and back up any important data, such as photos, contacts, and documents. This ensures you don't lose valuable information when selling or recycling the device. Perform a factory reset to erase personal data and restore the phone to its original settings. This will protect your privacy and ensure the new owner can't access your information.

What To Do Before Selling Your iPhone Or Android

Follow 10 simple steps to protect your phone, your data and your trade-in offer when preparing to sell your device.

6 MIN READ

Takeaway

So, can you sell a broken phone? Absolutely. And if you're wondering where to start, just head over to our mobile phones page to get a quick estimate of your phone’s worth.  Using a comparison service is the easiest way to maximise value with minimal effort.

Choosing the ‘Broken’ condition will help you manage expectations about the payout, so you should be upfront about the damage to avoid disappointment later.