Tom's Guide Lists 7 Ways to Lift Phone Resale Value by Hundreds of Dollars

2 articles · Updated · Tom's Guide · May 22

Seven tips from Tom's Guide aim to cut upgrade costs by boosting what sellers get for an old phone through trade-ins or direct resale.
Higher-value devices—especially newer premium models and iPhones—tend to hold value best, while comparing retailer and carrier offers can uncover bonus trade-in credits around major sales or launches.
Condition drives payouts, so the guide urges owners to use a case and screen protector, unlock carrier-restricted phones, and repair obvious damage such as cracked screens or weak batteries before selling.
Timing also matters: selling before the next model launches can avoid a predictable price drop, while including the original box and accessories may add a little extra value in private or reseller sales.
Before handing over a device, sellers should remove accessories, back up data, transfer SIM or eSIM service, and complete a full factory reset.

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