Guide
Where is the best place to sell an iPhone in the UK?
By the PhoneTradeIn team · Published 10 October 2026 · Prices as of 18 October 2026
Short answer: Back Market pays the most for a used iPhone more often than any other UK store, followed by CeX. But neither wins every time, and picking the wrong store costs a median of £43 on the same phone.
How we tested it
We collect the published trade-in price for every iPhone model, storage size, network and condition from six UK stores. To compare like with like, we took every unlocked iPhone configuration in good condition that at least two stores price, and counted which store paid the most. That gave 149 head-to-head comparisons.
Which store paid the most
| Store | Paid the most | Configurations priced | Win rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Market | 77 | 125 | 62% |
| CeX | 48 | 147 | 33% |
| Currys | 13 | 110 | 12% |
| Assurant | 9 | 147 | 6% |
| Argos | 5 | 114 | 4% |
| giffgaff | 1 | 103 | 1% |
“Paid the most” counts ties, so the columns can add up to more than the number of comparisons. Win rate is how often the store paid the most out of the configurations it actually prices.
What the numbers say
- Back Market wins 62% of the time. It prices most of the iPhone range, and its condition-by-condition grading rewards a clean handset.
- CeX is a close second, and pays more again in store credit. Its exchange (voucher) price is a median 30% above its cash price — worth it only if you were going to spend the money at CeX anyway.
- The single-price stores rarely top the table for good handsets. Argos, Assurant and Currys pay one figure for any working phone. That figure is rarely the highest for a clean phone, but it can beat graded stores when your iPhone is scuffed — see the faulty and worn phone guide.
- The gap is real money. For the same iPhone, storage and condition, the lowest offer was a median 29% below the highest.
What about iPads?
The order changes for iPads. Across 117 comparable iPad configurations, CeX topped the table 65% of the time, ahead of Back Market at 45%. Compare iPad prices.
What about Apple Trade In, eBay or your network?
We do not track Apple's own trade-in or network schemes, because they pay in credit against a new device rather than cash. They are convenient if you are upgrading anyway; check their figure against the cash offers here before you accept. Selling privately on eBay or Facebook Marketplace can beat every store, at the cost of time and risk — we weigh that up here.
The practical answer
No store is best for every iPhone. Look up your exact model, storage and condition and take the top offer: compare iPhone trade-in prices.
Figures from 6,542 prices collected between 29 July 2026 and 18 October 2026 from each store's own trade-in tool. CeX prices are the cash figure.