How to Sell a Damaged Phone in 2026 (And Actually Get Good Money)
If you want to sell a damaged phone, you are not out of options — far from it. There is a real market for cracked, faulty, and broken devices, and with the right approach, you can walk away with a surprisingly decent payout.
This guide covers every option available in 2026, ranked by how much you can realistically expect to receive.
What Counts as a Damaged Phone? (What Buyers Accept)
Not all damage is equal. Before you sell a damaged phone anywhere, it helps to know how buyers categorize condition:
- Cracked screen — The most common type. Still highly sellable. Even severe cracks are accepted by most trade-in services.
- Broken back glass — Accepted by most buyers, often at a small discount.
- Water damage — Harder to sell,l but not impossible. Works best if the phone still powers on.
- Won’t turn on — Many buyers purchase for parts. Expect lower offers.
- Touch screen not responding — Accepted. Affects price but does not block the sale.
- Faulty charging port or battery — Very common. Most trade-in platforms accept this.
- Bent or physically damaged frame — Accepted by some buyers, rejected by others.
The rule of thumb: if the phone can be identified and its IMEI is clean (not blacklisted or finance-locked), it has value somewhere.
Where to Sell a Damaged Phone — 5 Options Compared
The best place to sell a damaged phone depends on how fast you want the money and how much effort you are willing to put in. Here are the five most reliable options in 2026.
Option 1 — WeBuyAnyPhone
One of the most popular platforms to sell a damaged phone in the UK. You enter your model and describe the condition, and they give you an instant quote. They send a free postage bag, you ship the phone, and payment arrives within a few days.
Best for: Convenience. You want to get it done fast without dealing with buyers. Downside: Prices are lower than those of n selling privately. The quote can be revised downward after inspection. Damaged phone accepted? Yes — cracked screens, faulty buttons, water damage, all accepted.
Option 2 — Decluttr
Similar to WeBuyAnyPhone,e but also accepts tablets, laptops, and game consoles. You scan the barcode or enter the model, pick a condition grade, and get an instant offer. Free shipping included.
Best for: Quick, no-hassle sales. Downside: Offers tend to be conservative on heavily damaged devices. Damaged phone accepted? Yes, including cracked and faulty devices.
Option 3 — eBay
Selling on eBay gives you the highest potential return when you sell a damaged phone, but it requires more effort. Buyers on eBay are often repair shops or parts resellers — they know what they are looking at.
Best for: Getting maximum value, especially for premium models like the iPhone or the Samsung Galaxy. Downside: Takes longer. You handle everything. Risk of returns or disputes. Damaged phone accepted? Yes — just be completely honest in the listing description.
Tip: Search eBay for your exact model in “for parts” condition and look at completed listings. This tells you the real market price before you list.
Option 4 — Facebook Marketplace
Fast, local, and zero fees. Many small repair shops browse Facebook Marketplace specifically for damaged iPhones and Samsungs.
Best for: Selling quickly to a local buyer. No shipping needed. Downside: Less safe than platforms with buyer/seller protection. Lowball offers are common. Damaged phone accepted? Entirely up to the individual buyer.
Option 5 — Local Phone Repair Shops
Walk into an independent repair shop and ask if they buy broken phones. Many do, especially for popular models. They buy damaged devices to repair and resell, or strip them for spare parts.
Best for: Instant cash. No shipping, no waiting. Downside: Prices vary wildly between shops. You need to visit a few to compare. Damaged phone accepted? Yes — this is often their primary buying reason.
How to Get the Best Price When You Sell a Damaged Phone
Even a broken device can fetch more money with a little preparation:
1. Know your model exactly. “iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB” gets a better quote than “iPhone 15 Pro.” Check Settings > General > About to confirm storage and exact model.
2. Check the IMEI status first. Run your IMEI through imei.info or checkmend.com. A clean IMEI is worth significantly more than a blacklisted one.
3. Get multiple quotes before committing. Spend 10 minutes getting quotes from WeBuyAnyPhone, Decluttr, and Mazuma. The difference between them can be £30–£80 on a mid-range phone.
4. Be accurate about the condition. Overstating the condition leads to a revised (lower) quote after inspection. Understating it loses you money.
5. Sell sooner rather than later. Resale value drops every month. A cracked iPhone 15 is worth more today than it will be in six months.
What to Do Before You Sell a Damaged Phone (Data & SIM)
This step is essential and takes less than five minutes:
- Back up your data — iCloud or Google Photos for photos. Google Drive or iCloud for contacts.
- Sign out of your accounts — For iPhone: Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out. For Android: Settings > Accounts > Remove account.
- Factory reset the phone — Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content, or on Android: Settings > System > Reset > Factory Reset.
- Remove the SIM card — Always remove before shipping or handing over.
- Remove your memory card — If your Android has a microSD card, take it out.
For iPhone specifically: Disabling Find My iPhone is required before any buyer can use the device. If you skip this step, most trade-in platforms will reject the phone and send it back.
Related reads: Phone Screen Not Responding to Touch? 6 Real Fixes (2026)
Should You Repair a Damaged Phone Before You Sell It?
Sometimes repairing first makes sense. It depends entirely on the repair cost versus the price increase it creates.
| Repair Type | Typical Cost | Typical Value Increase | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen replacement (iPhone 15) | £80–£120 | £100–£150 | Sometimes |
| Screen replacement (Samsung S24) | £70–£110 | £80–£130 | Sometimes |
| Battery replacement | £30–£50 | £20–£40 | Usually not |
| Back glass only | £20–£40 | £15–£30 | Usually not |
General rule: Only repair before you sell a damaged phone if the repair cost is clearly lower than the value increase it creates. On a high-end device like the iPhone 15 Pro or Galaxy S24 Ultra, it is often worth it. On a mid-range phone, usually not.
Sell a Damaged Phone — Quick Comparison Table
| Platform | Best For | Payout Level | Speed | Effort Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WeBuyAnyPhone | Fast, convenient | Low–Medium | 2–5 days | Very low |
| Decluttr | Fast, multi-device | Low–Medium | 2–5 days | Very low |
| eBay | Maximum value | Medium–High | 3–14 days | High |
| Facebook Marketplace | Local, instant cash | Medium | Same day | Medium |
| Local repair shop | Instant cash | Low–Medium | Immediate | Low |
Final Verdict
If you want the least hassle when you sell a damaged phone, use WeBuyAnyPhone or Decluttr. Get quotes from both and go with whoever offers more.
If you want the most money, list on eBay as “for parts or repair” and be completely honest about the damage. Repair shops and resellers will pay a fair price for a clean IMEI and an accurate description.
Whatever you do, do not let a damaged phone sit in a drawer. Every month, it loses value — the cash it could generate today is real.
