Can I Sell My Broken Phone?

Yes, in many cases you can sell a broken phone, even if it's damaged, faulty or no longer working. A broken handset may still have value because it can potentially be repaired, refurbished, used for spare parts or recycled for its valuable materials.

If you're wondering where to sell a broken phone, comparing offers from multiple phone recyclers can help you find the best available price for your handset and its condition. Just use our handy comparison tool and lock in your price today!

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 Is My Broken Phone Worth?

The amount you can get for a broken phone depends on several factors, including the make and model, storage capacity, age and type of damage.

Newer and higher-value phones can still be worth a significant amount even when damaged. For example, a premium handset such as a Galaxy S25 Ultra may retain more value in a broken condition than an older, lower-value model.

The main factors affecting the value of a damaged phone include:

• Make and model: Popular and newer phones generally retain more value.

• Storage capacity: Higher-capacity versions can be worth more.

• Type of damage: A cracked screen, battery fault and water damage can have different effects on value.

• Functionality: A phone that still powers on and works normally apart from cosmetic damage may be worth more than one that doesn't function.

• Repair costs: If the recycler needs to replace expensive components, this can reduce the amount offered. If you have phone insurance, you may be covered for the cost of repair.

• Demand for the handset: Current demand for a particular model can influence the price offered.

How Much Can I Get for a Cracked Screen Phone?

A cracked-screen phone can still be worth money, but there's no single price that applies to every handset. The value will depend on the phone's model, storage capacity, the severity of the screen damage and whether the rest of the device works correctly. For example, a newer premium phone with a cracked screen may still attract a worthwhile offer, whereas an older phone with extensive screen and internal damage may have considerably less value.

The easiest way to find out what your cracked phone is worth is to compare current offers for the exact model and condition.

Can I Sell a Water-Damaged Phone?

Yes, some UK phone recyclers and buyers accept water-damaged phones, although acceptance and pricing vary between companies.

If your phone has been exposed to water or another liquid, be honest about the damage when selecting its condition. Liquid damage can cause internal corrosion and faults that may become more serious over time, so a recycler needs an accurate description of the handset.

Don't assume that your phone is worthless simply because it has water damage. Check the available offers and the individual recycler's terms to see whether your handset is accepted.

If no cash offer is available, your phone still has value based on its recycling potential - the global e-waste index is at 62 million tonnes and rising, so each phone that gets recycled instead of being tipped into a landfill makes a massive difference.

Should I Repair My Broken Phone Before Selling It?

Repairing a damaged phone before selling it isn't always the best option. A repair could increase the phone's resale value, but you also need to consider the cost of the repair. If the repair costs almost as much as the additional value it adds, you could end up spending money without significantly increasing your return.

Before paying for a repair, compare the value of the phone in its current "Broken" condition with the potential value after repair. For example, if your broken phone is worth £100 as-is but would only be worth £180 after a £120 repair, repairing it wouldn't necessarily make financial sense.

Comparing both options can help you decide whether to sell your damaged phone as it is or repair it first. If you have phone insurance, it's also worth checking your policy before paying for repairs yourself.

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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.

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

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What Happens After I Send My Broken Phone?

After your phone reaches the recycler, they'll assess its condition against the information you provided when you requested your quote. If the condition matches what you declared, the recycler will process the payment according to its terms. If the phone is found to be in a different condition, the recycler may revise the original offer. This is why it's important to describe damage accurately when selecting the condition of your phone.

Before accepting an offer, check the individual recycler's terms so you understand how its assessment and payment process works.

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.