The short version
- Model, storage and variant set the starting price. Everything else is a deduction from it.
- The screen is the single biggest condition factor — the panel is the most expensive part to replace.
- Battery health matters below 85%. On iPhone 15 and later it's Settings → Battery → Battery Health.
- A phone with faults still has real value; you just get a condition-adjusted price rather than the top figure.
Two of the same phone can be worth very different amounts. Resale value comes down to the exact model and a handful of condition factors — not guesswork. Here's what moves the number, so you know what to expect before you get a quote.
The model, storage and variant
This is the starting point. A 256GB phone is worth more than the 128GB version of the same model, and demand for a specific model sets the base price. Newer flagships and popular models hold value best.
Prices also move with the market over time, which is why a quote is tied to a short validity window rather than being fixed forever.
Screen and body condition
The screen matters most. A flawless display holds value; a cracked screen, dead pixels or visible display lines reduce it, because the panel is one of the most expensive parts to replace. Deep dents and heavy scratches on the body also bring the price down.
Light, normal wear — the small marks you'd expect from everyday use — usually has little effect. Be honest about real damage; that's what keeps your locked price locked at pickup.
Battery health
A worn battery lowers the value because it's a consumable part. We ask about it in two bands — 80–85%, and below 80% — so it's worth checking the real figure before you answer.
| Phone | Where to find it |
|---|---|
| iPhone 15 and later | Settings → Battery → Battery Health |
| iPhone 14 and earlier | Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging |
| Recent Pixel and Samsung | Settings → Battery → Battery health |
| Other Android phones | No standard screen — see below |
Android doesn't have one answer
There is no universal battery-health screen on Android — it depends on the phone and the version. If yours doesn't show a percentage, don't guess a number: answer based on how the phone actually behaves, and if it needs charging well before the end of a normal day, say so.
Working faults
Anything that doesn't work as it should affects the price: cameras, speakers, microphone, buttons, fingerprint or face unlock, charging port, network, or a phone that won't switch on. A fully working phone is worth the most; each fault is priced in separately rather than lumped into one vague grade.
You can still sell a damaged or non-working phone. You'll simply get a fair, condition-adjusted price rather than the top figure.
Accessories and the box
The original box, charger and cable can add a little to some quotes. If a quote assumes you'll include them, keep them ready for pickup so the price isn't revised.
How a condition-based quote works
Instead of one vague estimate, a good quote starts from your exact model's market value and adjusts transparently for each condition detail you report. You see the breakdown before you commit, and — at SellGadgets — the number is locked as long as the device matches what you described. No surprise deductions at the door.
Does a cracked screen mean my phone is worthless?
No. A cracked screen is one of the larger deductions because the panel is expensive to replace, but a phone that still switches on and works keeps real value. You'll see exactly what the crack costs you before you accept anything.
How much does battery health actually matter?
Below about 85% it starts to count, and below 80% it counts more, because the battery is due for replacement. Above that it usually makes no difference to the price.
Is a 256GB phone really worth more than the 128GB one?
Yes — storage is part of the model's identity in the resale market, and the larger variant carries a higher base price. Which variant you pick is the first thing that changes your quote.
Why does my quote have a validity window?
Used-device prices move with the market. Locking a price means committing to it, so the commitment runs for a defined window rather than forever.
