What's My Phone Worth? How We Determine Trade-In Value

Ever wonder how we come up with your quote? It's not magic, and it's not a guess. We use real-time market data and a strict grading scale. Understanding this can help you estimate your payout.

The Big 3 Factors

1. Model & Storage

• Newer = More $: Obviously.
• Storage bump: Jumping from 128GB to 256GB usually adds $20-$40 in value. Jumping to 1TB can add $80+.

2. Carrier Status (The Hidden Value)

• Unlocked: Worth the most. Can go to any user worldwide.
• Carrier Locked: Worth less. Restricted to one network (e.g., T-Mobile users only).
• Bad ESN/Financed: Worth the least. These phones cannot be activated in the US typically and are sold for parts or export only. We still buy these! but at a "parts" price.

3. Cosmic Grading Scale

We inspect everything. Here is our rubric:

#### Grade A: Mint / Flawless

• Looks brand new. Maybe 1-2 tiny microscopic scratches invisible at arm's length.
• Battery: 90%+ health.
• Value: 100% of max offer.

#### Grade B: Good / Used

• Normal wear. Light scratches on screen (cannot be felt with fingernail).
• Edgewear: Minor scuffs on the charging port or corners.
• Value: ~85-90% of max offer.

#### Grade C: Heavy Wear

• Deep scratches. You can feel them with a fingernail.
• Dents: Visible impacts on the metal frame.
• Value: ~60-75% of max offer.

#### Grade D: Cracked / Damaged

• Cracked glass (front or back).
• LCD damage (black spots, lines, dead pixels).
• Broken Face ID.
• Value: ~30-50% of max offer (varies wildly by model repairs cost).

"Hidden" Defects That Be Killers

Sometimes a phone looks Mint but fails the internal test.

• TrueTone: If missing, it means a cheap 3rd party screen was installed.
• Face ID: If it fails, the motherboard is compromised.
• Camera Spots: Dust inside the lens.

The best way to know? Come see us. We verify in person and explain exactly why your phone is graded the way it is. Transparency is our policy.

See What Your Phone is Worth →