Guide
Trade in or sell privately? Weighing up the options for your old iPhone
By the PhoneTradeIn team · Published 10 October 2026
Selling privately usually gets the highest price. Trading in is faster, safer and guaranteed. Which is right depends on how much the difference is worth to you — so start by knowing what the stores will pay.
The options at a glance
| Option | Price | Effort | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trade-in store (cash) | Good — varies a lot by store | Low: quote, post, get paid | Low; revised offer if condition is disputed |
| eBay | Often highest | High: photos, listing, questions, posting | Scams, returns, “item not as described” claims |
| Facebook Marketplace | High | High: messages, meeting buyers | No-shows, payment fraud, meeting strangers |
| Apple / network trade-in | Usually lower; paid as credit | Lowest when upgrading | Low |
When trading in makes sense
- Your phone is worth under a couple of hundred pounds, where private-sale hassle outweighs the gain.
- It is damaged or faulty — private buyers are wary, while several stores have a faulty price.
- You want a guaranteed price and a quick, tracked process.
When selling privately makes sense
- It is a recent, high-value model in excellent condition.
- You have time to answer questions and deal with returns.
- You are comfortable spotting scams: insist on payment that has cleared before handing over or posting the phone, and be wary of buyers who want to move the conversation off the platform.
A simple rule
Look up your phone's best trade-in offer, then check sold (not listed) prices for the same model on eBay. If the private-sale premium is small, trade in. If it is large and you have the time, sell privately — the trade-in offer is still your fallback.