Samsung Galaxy S24 & S23 Trade-In Guide: What to Expect
Samsung makes incredible hardware. The Galaxy S24 Ultra's screen and 100x zoom are legendary. However, the resale market for Android devices is different from Apple's. Prices fluctuate more, and detailed condition matters even more.
If you're ready to sell your Galaxy S24, S23, or Z Fold device, here is your playbook.
1. The "Android Depreciation Curve"
Unlike iPhones, which hold value steadily, high-end Android phones often see a sharp drop when the next model is rumored.
- Recommendation: Sell 4-6 weeks before the next 'Unpacked' event (typically January/February for S-series, August for Z-series).
2. Knox Tripped? It Matters.
Samsung devices have a security feature called Knox. If you've ever rooted your device or flashed custom software, you might have "tripped" the Knox counter.
- Result: Samsung Pay and Secure Folder will never work again.
- Impact: This significantly lowers resale value. We check for this!
3. Burn-in Check
Samsung's beautiful OLED screens are prone to "burn-in" (faint ghost images of the status bar or keyboard).
- Test it: Open the phone dialer and type
#0#. Select Red, Green, and Blue to check for ghost images. - Clean screens sell for more.
4. Resetting for Sale (Samsung Specific)
Samsung has a "Factory Reset Protection" (FRP) that can lock the new owner out if not done correctly.
- Remove Google Account: Settings > Accounts and backup > Manage accounts > (Tap your Google account) > Remove account.
- Remove Samsung Account: Same menu.
- Factory Reset: Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
5. Sell Locally vs. Mail-In
Shipping a phone is risky. Carriers lose packages. Online buyers claim "it arrived empty."
Skip the stress. Sell to Cell Me Your Phone in the Salt Lake Valley.
- We meet in public.
- We verify the device in 5 minutes.
- You get paid instantly.
