Are Old Mobile Phones Worth Anything?

69% of Brits consider themselves “digital hoarders”, and if you’re one of them, chances are you’re sitting on a mini goldmine. At Compare & Recycle, we’ve recycled nearly four million phones and can help you spot a rare collectable that might be gathering dust in your drawer. In this post, we’ll explore what makes an old phone worth something, how to assess its resale potential, and the best ways to recycle or repurpose it responsibly.

Which Old Phones Are Still Worth A (Small) Fortune?

Not all old phones are created equal; some have become collector's items or retained resale value due to rarity, design, or historical significance. In this section, we break down which models from popular brands like Nokia and Apple are still worth money today. Whether you’re curious about a classic in your drawer or considering selling, here’s what to look out for.

• Motorola

When assessing the value of an old phone, rarity is key. The Motorola DynaTAC 8000 is a good point in case, being the first handheld phone to hit the market back in 1983. This early brick-like device was a marvel in its day, costing nearly £3k, which equates to approximately £9k in today’s money. The Motorola MicroTAC landed five years later for £1.8k, becoming the iconic Motorola handset for 80s kids. Other vintage models soon followed, such as the Motorola StarTAC (1996), Motorola V70 (2002), and Motorola Razr (2004), all of which would fetch a good price in today’s market.

• Nokia

The first handset to be commercially dubbed a “smartphone” was the Nokia 7700. Although it was never officially released, it’s a good example of another quality collectors look for in an old phone: a unique design. The Nokia 5510 is another highly sought-after oddity; the Nokia 8110, similarly, which was featured in the Matrix movies, is a league of its own.

• Blackberry

Most Blackberry devices aren’t worth that much anymore, but there are exceptions such as the Porsche Design models. Either way, there’s one thing that can’t be denied about a BlackBerry: the nostalgic appeal. Even now, there are people who could get one purely for sentimental reasons. And the good thing about old phones is that they don’t have to be in the best condition either to spark interest.

• iPhones

iPhones are quite the rage these days, and even an older model like the iPhone 7 still has a lot of value. However, unlike most old phones that are brought as collectables, your iPhone will need to be in working condition if you want to sell it.

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What Can I Do With My Old Phone?

Essentially, there are two routes you can take to responsibly get rid of your old mobile phone: using trade-in services to sell your mobile phone for cash or sending it off to be recycled at a specialist recycling facility.

Don’t bin your mobile phone

First things first, do not throw away your mobile phone whether it be in your regular black bin or your recycling bin, broken or working - just don’t do it! This is incredibly dangerous mainly because mobile phones contain lithium-ion batteries, which when crushed will cause a thermal reaction and catch a fire. This puts the lives of the bin workers and those working on the premises in danger. Additionally, if a mobile phone ends up in the bin, it will make its way to landfill instead of having its components recovered and reused. 

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Find out how much is it worth and sell your phone

If your mobile phone still powers on then the best course of action is to sell it. Like anything you sell, it is always good to check how much you can get for it, and with mobile phones the value will depend on its condition.

If your phone’s been on quite a journey and has encountered a few cracks along the way, you’re more likely to get a lower price as opposed to one that’s still in prime condition after a few years of use. Remember to compare prices to sell your mobile phone this way you will get the best price for it. Disposing of your phone in this way has so many environmental and of course financial benefits. Not only will you have peace of mind that it will be reused as a refurbished phone but you will also make a pretty penny selling it on.

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If your phone is obsolete - recycle it

An obsolete phone means that it’s past its prime. It lacks compatibility, it no longer receives software and security updates and you’re likely not to make any money from it. Mobile phones that are damaged beyond repair also fall into this category, but nevertheless, both should be disposed of responsibly and the easiest way is to find a recycling drop off point near you using the Recycle Your Electricals directory.

If your mobile phone is obsolete and you try to sell it on the Compare and Recycle website, then you will be met with a message that we couldn’t find a price for your mobile phone and recommendations on what steps you could take instead.

Repurpose your mobile phone

If you’re set on keeping hold of your working mobile phone, then you can look into suggestions below how else you can put your mobile phone to good use:

• Using it as a home security cam - There are so many security apps that enable you to turn your old phone into a home security camera. Of course, your phone must have a functioning camera, but all you will need to do is download the app, connect to wifi and place your mobile phone anywhere in your house. This allows you to keep an eye on things (or your furry friends) whilst you are away.

• Using it as a music player or streaming device - Load up your phone with all your favourite songs or podcasts and use it to listen on the go knowing that you’re not draining the battery and storage space of your main mobile phone.

While most old phones won’t make you rich, some can still hold surprising value—especially rare models, limited editions, or devices tied to nostalgia. Even if they’re no longer functional or in perfect shape, collectors and tech enthusiasts may still be interested. So before tossing that old device in a drawer—or worse, the trash—it’s worth taking a moment to research. You might just uncover a small piece of tech history that's worth something after all. 

And we’ll say it again - recycle your phone! Whether you can earn money from it or not, it is the most responsible way to dispose of your device and also the safest.