The mobile phone industry is growing at an exponential rate, with innovative new smartphone models being released every year. The UK population is around 67.33 million, and an astonishing 63.5 million of them had a mobile contract back in 2021. Naturally, when all of these people come to the end of their contract, they’re more than ready to get their hands on one of the latest models. However, this means that there are millions of old mobile phones either sitting around collecting dust or being chucked out. This isn’t very economical because these old phones could be bringing in a little cash by selling them, and there are plenty of places to do this thanks to the wonders of the internet.

Ask Your Friends and Colleagues

Before you start listing your smartphone on various marketplaces, you should try to sell it in person to people you know. For example, if you’ve got friends or colleagues searching for a new phone, you may be in luck. Selling your phone this way is extremely secure because you already know the buyer, which means you’ll be 100% safe during the sale.

Sell Mobile Phone on eBay

Launching back in 1995, eBay is one of the most well-established marketplaces on the Internet. Allowing users to buy and sell their items using a bidding or “Buy Now” system, eBay has been the go-to online global marketplace for some years now. Creating an account is as easy as inputting an email address and filling out your details, but you will also need a PayPal account to facilitate secure payments.

You can access eBay from pretty much any device – including your new smartphone. When you create a listing, all you need to do is upload some quality pictures, note the condition, and set a price. If you’re choosing to use the bid function, you have to set a reserve price – meaning the item won’t sell unless this price is met. However, if you use the “Buy Now” function, you simply set a price you’re willing to accept.

Sell My Phone on Gumtree

Gumtree is a fairly established marketplace that’s similar to eBay in many ways, but it’s not quite as fleshed-out or functional. The platform allows you to list your smartphone, and note its details, but you have to arrange collection of the item with the buyer yourself.

Depending on your location, you’ll have a very different experience using Gumtree. Additionally, as you have to meet the buyer to exchange your goods for cash, you must be vigilant. There are plenty of questionable characters on the internet, so make sure you make the exchange in a public space and take someone with you if possible. This doesn’t mean every person on Gumtree is out to get you, but some unfortunate stories are floating around out there.

Sell My Mobile Through Facebook Marketplace

Facebook is one of the most popular social networking platforms around, and with good reason. Since its early days of facilitating Harvard University communication, Facebook has expanded into a global entity with billions of users.

Over the years, Facebook’s uses have expanded exponentially, but one of its most useful elements is the marketplace. Making a sale through Facebook Marketplace is extremely easy. You simply add some photos, list your price, add a description, and wait to see what happens.

When using Facebook Marketplace to sell your mobile, you have to be careful because your real name will be on display, and you have to arrange the exchange of goods and cash yourself. Additionally, the majority of people on Facebook Marketplace expect to find a great deal, which is why you need to list your mobile at a higher price and be willing to lower it.

Sell Your Phone on Amazon

Amazon operates in a different way to eBay, Gumtree, and similar marketplaces, but it’s still an excellent way to sell an old mobile. However, getting started isn’t as easy as logging in and posting your pictures and description.

To begin selling through Amazon, you have to navigate to the “Make Money with Us” option within your account, and then click on “Sell on Amazon”. This will land you on the seller account creation process, which involves filling out your details and providing proof of identification. After Amazon verifies your information, you’ll have to input a store name and payment details. From here, you’re free to list products on Amazon and reach a global audience.

Pay Mazuma Mobile a Visit

If you grew up in the UK watching TV, the chances are you’ve seen the Mazuma Mobile advert, which is pretty catchy. The whole purpose of its service is to “re-home” smartphones, and it sees around 150,000 phones every month.

Using Mazuma is extremely easy. All you need to do is find your model, note the condition, and you’ll receive a quoted payment. If you’re happy with this, you can proceed to input your preferred method for receiving your money. The last part of the puzzle is sending it off, where Mazuma will verify its condition and then release your funds. In most cases, funds are sent on the same day as Mazuma receives the phone and verifies the condition.

Take Your Phone to CEX or Cash Converters

Cash Converters and CEX are two similar stores that take in pre-loved items for cash and then sell them. Cash Converters takes pretty much any item you can think of, as long it’s in a sellable condition, whereas CEX focuses more on movies, games, and other relevant devices. When it comes to mobile phones, either establishment will give you money. Therefore, you may wish to get a quote from both before you commit.

When you choose to sell using Cash Converters or CEX, you benefit from receiving cash in hand instantly. However, you should keep in mind that you’ll always receive much less than the product is worth, as these businesses need to turn of profit. 

Trade In Your Phone at Apple

If you’re a fan of Apple’s iPhone, you should easily be able to find a buyer for your device. However, if you’re struggling, you can always trade your phone in at Apple, which will recycle your smartphone responsibly.

When using Apple’s trade-in system, you should be aware that you won’t receive cash for your smartphone. Instead, you will be handed store credit, which you can use on future purchases. If you’re in the market for a new phone, this is a fantastic system.

Even though Apple deals in iPhones, it’s good to know that many Android models are accepted for trading including Google and Samsung smartphones. However, it’s been found that like-for-like iPhones will always be paid higher amounts of store credit than their Android counterparts. Therefore, if you’re looking to trade in an Android phone, you may be better off doing this somewhere like Carphone Warehouse.

When you’re ready to part ways with your beloved mobile, there are plenty of ways you can sell it. There isn’t any “best” way to sell your mobile phone, as your choice will be tied to your personal preferences and needs. For example, if you need cash straight away, then choose CEX or Cash Converters. On the other hand, if you can practice some patience, the likes of eBay, Amazon, and Gumtree may be better.