Where to sell your iPhone 5s, 5c and 5
All signs say Apple will introduce the iPhone 6 next week and start selling it by the end of the month. If you want to sell an old iPhone, the time is now.
You can get a great return on your device by selling through EBay or Craigslist, but if you don’t want to deal with strangers and would rather use an automated system, there are several websites you can use. Some services accept any kind of iPhone, but if you’re selling an iPhone 5, 5c or 5s in good condition, there’s a chance you could get enough money to cover the purchase of an iPhone 6 (the base price is typically $199 with a two-year phone service contract). Here’s where to go:
The safe route: Apple has a device recycling program that can get iPhone 5 owners as much as $225 in an Apple gift card for devices that are in good condition, according to prices quoted Tuesday. The quote is based mainly on the phone’s condition.
After sending your phone, it is evaluated to determine the final value, which should be the same as what was quoted to you if you answered honestly. Afterward, the gift card will be sent to you via email.
If you’re looking for more than $225 for an iPhone 5 or if you’re selling an iPhone 5c or 5s, Amazon’s trade-in program might be the right fit for you.
How much you get for your iPhone depends on the model, condition, carrier, storage capacity and color of the device. Typically, users with Verizon or unlocked iPhones will get the most value back while Sprint customers will get the least for their gadgets. If you agree to trade in your device, you’ll have seven days to ship it using a label provided by Amazon. Once the item is received, Amazon will evaluate it and pay you using an Amazon.com gift card.
An unlocked black iPhone 5 with 16 gigabytes of storage can fetch $255.25 if it’s in “like new” condition while a nearly perfect 64 GB black Verizon model is worth $342.75.
The prices are less stable when it comes to the iPhone 5c. A blue 16-GB Sprint model is worth only $117.40 while a few 32-GB models can fetch as much as $400. Meanwhile, most AT&T, Verizon and unlocked iPhone 5s devices are worth more than $300.
If you want to hang on to your device as long as possible: Gazelle is a good site for customers who don’t want to sell their device until they get the new one. This website lets customers lock down today’s iPhone price and not have to ship their device until Oct. 10.
The only trade-off is that prices are a little lower than elsewhere. In fact, I don’t recommend Gazelle for the iPhone 5 (tops out at $195) or the iPhone 5c (max value is $185), but if you have an iPhone 5s, you can still get good money. For those who own “flawless” 16-GB models, an AT&T version is worth $275 while Verizon and unlocked models are worth $310. The best return is for the 64-GB unlocked and Verizon iPhone 5s, each worth $345.
Gazelle provides the shipping material free, and once it gets the device, customers can get paid in an Amazon.com gift card, by PayPal or by check.
If you want the most money for the iPhone 5c and 5s: Glyde is an option for iPhone 5c and 5s owners who want the most bang for their buck.
On this site, an iPhone 5c owner can get at least $237.72 for AT&T and Verizon devices with “few scratches.” Even a blue 16-GB Sprint model ($117.40 on Amazon) can go for $165.04 on Glyde. The 16-GB iPhone 5s goes for $295.68 for AT&T owners and $327.88 for Verizon users.
The only problem with Glyde is that there is no guarantee your phone will be purchased since other users pay for the device, not Glyde (it just facilitates the sale). You also have to move fast. If your phone is sold, you have to send it off as soon as you get the shipping kit, which arrives within three days.
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