How Phone Valuations Are Actually Worked Out

Most resale offers are built the same way: take the realistic price the device is currently selling for in the second-hand market, then deduct whatever it would cost to bring this specific unit up to that grade. Whatever's left is the offer. The job at the counter is to be honest about both numbers.

1. Model demand sets the ceiling

Some phones simply have a deeper second-hand audience than others. iPhone Pro and Pro Max models, Samsung Ultra and Z Fold/Flip handsets, and recent Pixel flagships all have active resale markets. Mid-range A-series Galaxies and older budget Androids have a much smaller buyer pool, which compresses what anyone can pay.

Live market demand also moves week to week. A new iPhone launch typically softens the previous Pro Max's used price by a noticeable amount within the first month. Samsung Unpacked has the same effect on the outgoing Ultra. We price against current data, not last year's figures.

2. Condition grading does the heavy lifting

Condition is graded across several axes — none of them on their own ruin an offer, but together they decide where in the price band the device lands:

• Display — cracks, dead pixels, AMOLED burn-in, green lines, touch dead zones
• Frame and back glass — chips, dents, deep scuffs, cracked rear panels
• Cameras — cracked rear glass, cloudy lenses, autofocus or stabilisation faults
• Charging port — loose, bent, intermittent or dead
• Buttons and biometrics — power, volume, Face ID, Touch ID, ultrasonic fingerprint

Light micro-scratches from normal pocket use are already priced into the headline figure. It's the visible damage that needs deducting.

3. Battery health is its own number

On iPhones, Settings → Battery → Battery Health gives a percentage. Above 85% is a strong figure; below 80% Apple shows a Service message and the offer reflects a likely battery swap. On Samsung and Android the equivalent is current capacity and cycle count, with battery swelling treated as a separate issue. See why battery health affects phone value for the detail.

4. Storage size shifts the number more than people expect

256GB and 512GB Pro models routinely fetch noticeably more than the entry tier of the same model. Resellers want to stock the configurations buyers actually search for — and most second-hand buyers don't go shopping for a 64GB phone. Full breakdown on why storage size affects phone value.

5. Lock status and IMEI

Network-locked phones (EE, O2, Vodafone, Three) may still be considered and typically value slightly below unlocked equivalents — the network status must be disclosed before valuation. Devices with Apple Find My / Activation Lock or Google Factory Reset Protection still active cannot normally be purchased — the legitimate owner must remove the device from their Apple, Google or manufacturer account through official methods first. See what is Activation Lock for the detail. Every device is IMEI-checked at the counter so anything reported lost or stolen is flagged before any money changes hands.

6. Repair and refurbishment cost

When something is wrong, the deduction is the realistic cost of the repair — not a token figure. A current-gen iPhone Pro screen replacement is significantly more expensive than an iPhone 11 screen, and a Samsung Ultra AMOLED is more expensive again. Foldable inner displays sit at the top of that scale. These costs get factored in transparently.

Why two similar phones can receive different offers

Want this applied to your device?

WhatsApp the model, storage and battery health and we'll come back with a realistic estimate before you travel in. The final figure is confirmed once the device has been on the bench, but the guide tends to be close.

Common questions