How Much Is Your Old Electronics Worth? Real 2026 Trade-In, Scrap, Refurb & Resale Values

Last updated: 28 April 2026

Quick Answer

Your old electronics are worth between $0 and $800+ depending on what they are, what condition they're in, and which selling channel you choose.

Three different "values" matter:

Trade-in value: what manufacturers and trade-in services pay (Apple, Samsung, Decluttr, Gazelle) — typically 20-50% of original price for working devices
Sell-it-yourself value: what you can get on eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist — typically 50-80% of original price for working devices
Scrap (material) value: what's recoverable from the metals and plastics inside if the device doesn't work — typically $0.50-$60 per device

This guide gives the real 2026 numbers across all three for the most common device categories.

How the three values compare

For a representative iPhone 13 Pro (2021, 256GB, working, good condition):

| Channel | Typical 2026 value | Time to cash | Hassle | |---|---|---|---| | Apple Trade In (toward new Apple device) | $310 store credit | Instant (in-store) | None | | Best Buy Trade-In | $220 | Same day (in-store) | Low | | Decluttr (instant cash) | $215 | 5 days (mail-back) | Low | | Gazelle (locked price) | $245 | 7 days (mail-back) | Low | | eBay (auction or BIN) | $385 | 7-10 days | Medium | | Facebook Marketplace | $375 | 1-7 days | Medium-high | | Swappa (peer-to-peer) | $395 | 5-10 days | Medium | | Pawn shop | $130 | Instant | Low | | Scrap value (non-working) | $2.78 | Variable | Low |

The price spread for the same device — $2.78 to $395 — depends almost entirely on:

Whether the device works
How much effort you want to invest in selling
Whether you accept manufacturer credit instead of cash

Smartphones — current 2026 values

Working condition, unlocked, in working order:

Apple iPhones

| Model | Apple Trade In | Best Buy | Decluttr | eBay/Swappa | |---|---|---|---|---| | iPhone 15 Pro 256GB | $560 | $480 | $475 | $620 | | iPhone 14 Pro 128GB | $400 | $340 | $325 | $475 | | iPhone 13 Pro 256GB | $310 | $220 | $215 | $385 | | iPhone 13 128GB | $230 | $180 | $185 | $310 | | iPhone 12 128GB | $160 | $140 | $130 | $235 | | iPhone 11 64GB | $100 | $90 | $80 | $165 | | iPhone XR | $50 | $45 | $40 | $115 | | iPhone X | $30 | $25 | $20 | $80 |

Samsung Galaxy

| Model | Samsung Trade-In | Best Buy | Decluttr | eBay | |---|---|---|---|---| | Galaxy S24 Ultra 256GB | $470 | $400 | $390 | $560 | | Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB | $310 | $260 | $250 | $390 | | Galaxy S22+ 128GB | $185 | $160 | $145 | $250 | | Galaxy S21 128GB | $115 | $100 | $90 | $175 | | Galaxy Note 20 Ultra | $120 | $95 | $85 | $200 |

Google Pixel

| Model | Google Trade-In | Decluttr | eBay | |---|---|---|---| | Pixel 8 Pro 128GB | $410 | $360 | $475 | | Pixel 7 128GB | $145 | $130 | $215 | | Pixel 6 128GB | $95 | $80 | $145 |

For non-working phones: scrap value is $2-$5 per device regardless of model. Specialist phone-recycling buyers (e.g. RaisingDigits in the US) sometimes pay $5-$15 for board-level salvage of premium models.

Storage size matters: every doubling of storage typically adds 15-25% to trade-in value (so 1TB iPhone 15 Pro is worth ~$700 trade-in vs $560 for 256GB).

Carrier-locked phones: trade-in values typically 10-20% lower than unlocked equivalents.

Damage: cracked screens, water damage, broken cameras typically reduce trade-in to $20-$50 regardless of model. Working but damaged phones often fetch more on eBay than trade-in.

Laptops — current 2026 values

Apple Mac

| Model | Apple Trade In | Decluttr | eBay (BIN) | |---|---|---|---| | MacBook Pro 14" M3 (2023) base | $1,200 | $1,050 | $1,400 | | MacBook Pro 13" M2 (2022) base | $720 | $580 | $850 | | MacBook Air M2 (2022) 8GB/256GB | $560 | $450 | $700 | | MacBook Air M1 (2020) base | $390 | $310 | $510 | | MacBook Pro 13" Intel (2019) | $190 | $140 | $310 | | MacBook Air Intel (2018-2019) | $120 | $90 | $215 | | iMac 21.5" Retina (2019) | $310 | $260 | $480 | | Mac mini M1 (2020) | $310 | $250 | $410 |

Windows laptops

| Model | Trade-in service | Decluttr | eBay | |---|---|---|---| | Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11 | $410 | $360 | $580 | | Dell XPS 13 (2022) | $310 | $250 | $440 | | HP EliteBook 840 G9 | $310 | $250 | $410 | | Microsoft Surface Pro 9 | $390 | $325 | $475 | | Surface Laptop 5 | $290 | $230 | $380 |

Specialty / niche

| Model | Trade-in / Buyback | eBay | |---|---|---| | Framework Laptop 13 (modular) | n/a | $700 (high resale due to repairability) | | ThinkPad T14s Gen 4 | $290 | $390 | | ASUS ROG gaming laptop (2023) | $560 | $850 |

Non-working laptops: scrap value $15-$40 depending on size, plus the value of the SSD and RAM (often $30-$100 individually if removable). Total scrap value $30-$80.

Working but old: any working laptop with 8GB+ RAM and SSD has resale value $80+ even if 6-7 years old, because Linux and lightweight Windows distributions extend useful life.

Tablets

| Model | Apple Trade In | Decluttr | eBay | |---|---|---|---| | iPad Pro 11" M4 (2024) | $560 | $475 | $700 | | iPad Pro 12.9" M2 (2022) | $470 | $390 | $620 | | iPad Air M1 (2022) | $310 | $260 | $410 | | iPad (10th gen, 2022) | $215 | $185 | $290 | | iPad mini 6 (2021) | $215 | $180 | $290 | | Samsung Tab S9 Ultra | $390 | $320 | $475 | | Samsung Tab S9 | $260 | $215 | $340 |

Non-working tablets: scrap value $4-$8.

Televisions

TVs depreciate faster than computers and have lower scrap value relative to size:

| Type | Working (resale) | Non-working (scrap) | |---|---|---| | 75"+ OLED (2-3 years old) | $700-$1,500 | $25 | | 65" 4K LED (3-4 years old) | $200-$400 | $20 | | 55" 4K LED (4-5 years old) | $80-$200 | $15 | | 43" 4K LED (5+ years old) | $40-$100 | $11 | | Older 1080p plasma/LCD | $20-$80 | $11 | | CRT TV | $0 (often pay for disposal) | $5-$10 (lead glass salvage) |

TV trade-in is unusual — most retailers won't take TVs for credit. Best Buy charges $25 for TV drop-off (over 32 inches). Selling on Facebook Marketplace is the realistic option for working TVs.

Major appliances

Refrigerators

| Status | Value | |---|---| | Working, modern (2-3 years old) | $200-$600 (resell on FB Marketplace) | | Working, older (8-12 years) | $50-$150 (Energy Star utility rebate) + scrap | | Working, Energy Star rated | $30-$75 utility rebate (if eligible) | | Non-working, modern | $20-$60 (scrap value, depends on size) | | Non-working, older | $15-$50 |

US utility companies offer $30-$75 rebates for picking up working refrigerators and freezers via Energy Star Recycle My Old Fridge programme. Check your utility website for participation.

Other large appliances

| Appliance | Working resale | Non-working scrap | |---|---|---| | Washing machine | $80-$300 | $25-$50 | | Tumble dryer | $50-$200 | $20-$45 | | Dishwasher | $40-$150 | $15-$30 | | Microwave | $20-$80 | $8-$15 | | Oven (built-in) | $50-$200 | $20-$50 | | Air conditioner (window) | $40-$150 (working) | $15-$40 |

For full per-device scrap values from live commodity prices: Scrap Value Calculator.

Wearables and audio

| Device | Trade-in / Buyback | eBay/resell | |---|---|---| | Apple Watch Series 9 | $215 | $290 | | Apple Watch Series 7 | $115 | $155 | | Apple Watch Series 5 | $40 | $80 | | Garmin Fenix 7 | $260 | $350 | | Sony WH-1000XM5 headphones | $130 | $215 | | Bose QC45 | $110 | $175 | | Apple AirPods Pro 2 | $80 | $130 | | Apple AirPods Pro (1st gen) | $30 | $60 |

AirPods are particularly notable: they have effectively zero recycling value (sealed design, scored 0/10 on iFixit) and only modest resale value because batteries degrade with use. Most go to landfill.

Game consoles

| Console | Working trade-in | eBay | |---|---|---| | PS5 (current gen) | $310 | $400 | | PS4 Pro | $115 | $175 | | Xbox Series X | $310 | $390 | | Xbox Series S | $145 | $200 | | Xbox One X | $115 | $175 | | Nintendo Switch OLED | $215 | $290 | | Nintendo Switch (original) | $115 | $185 |

GameStop trade-in is typically the easiest channel for game consoles, though eBay and Facebook Marketplace get 30-50% more for the same device.

Cameras (digital, mirrorless, DSLR)

| Camera | MPB / KEH trade-in | eBay | |---|---|---| | Sony A7 IV body | $1,400 | $1,750 | | Canon R6 II body | $1,400 | $1,800 | | Fujifilm X-T5 body | $850 | $1,100 | | Canon 5D Mark IV body | $850 | $1,150 | | Older DSLR (Canon 6D, Nikon D750 era) | $230-$500 | $310-$700 | | Compact P&S (Canon PowerShot, etc) | $30-$80 | $50-$130 |

Cameras retain value better than phones/laptops because the technology evolves more slowly. A 5-year-old DSLR is still a competent camera; a 5-year-old phone is showing its age.

MPB and KEH are the largest specialist used-camera buyers in US/UK markets.

E-bike batteries and EV batteries

These have substantial value due to lithium and other recoverable metals:

| Battery type | Working buyback | End-of-life recycle value | |---|---|---| | E-bike battery (500Wh) | $60-$150 | $20-$40 | | EV battery pack (75 kWh, working from totalled vehicle) | $5,000-$15,000 | $3,000-$8,000 (recyclable materials) |

See our EV Battery Aftermarket Dashboard 2026 for per-vehicle pack pricing.

Other electronics (rapid reference)

| Device | Working resale | Non-working scrap | |---|---|---| | Routers / modems | $20-$60 | $1-$3 | | Hard drives (HDD/SSD) | $30-$150 | $4 | | External hard drives | $30-$120 | $4 | | Dyson vacuum (recent) | $200-$400 | $20 | | Robot vacuum (Roomba etc) | $80-$300 | $6 | | Power tools (cordless) | $40-$200 | $2-$5 | | Drone (DJI Mavic etc) | $300-$800 | $4 |

How to maximise what you get

Step 1: Determine if it works

Test thoroughly before deciding which channel to use. A device that works at home may have hidden issues (battery health below 80%, weak Wi-Fi, sticky button) that affect resale value.

Step 2: Clean it

Physical condition affects price 10-30%. Wipe down, clean ports with isopropyl alcohol, replace damaged screen protectors.

Step 3: Reset and unlink

Factory reset and remove from your manufacturer accounts. See our Data Wiping Guide.

Step 4: Get 3 quotes

For high-value items (laptop, premium phone, professional camera): quote the same device with 3 different channels. The spread can be 50%+ between best and worst.

Step 5: Choose your channel

| Goal | Best channel | |---|---| | Maximum cash | eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Swappa (all involve hassle) | | Maximum convenience | Trade-in (Apple, Samsung, Decluttr) — accept lower price for less hassle | | Maximum store credit | Manufacturer programmes (Apple Trade In often beats cash trade-in for new device purchases) | | Bulk lots | Decluttr, GreenBuyback, BoardSort accept multi-device shipments | | Rare or collectible | eBay auction (set reserve), specialist forum (e.g. retro game forums for older consoles) |

Step 6: Ship safely (if mailing)

Most trade-in services provide prepaid postage labels. Use proper packaging (original box if available, otherwise bubble wrap + sturdy outer box). Insure for declared value.

Step 7: Keep records

Photograph the device before shipping. Note serial numbers. Save tracking numbers and confirmations.

When trade-in is the wrong answer

For some scenarios, trade-in is genuinely worse than alternatives:

Premium watches and headphones: eBay or specialist dealers often pay 50-80% more
Vintage computing equipment (early Macs, NeXT computers, Sun workstations): collectors pay multiples of trade-in
Music gear (synthesizers, audio interfaces): Reverb.com, Sweetwater Trade specialise in fair pricing
Camera lenses: KEH and MPB pay more than general electronics buyers
Working CRT televisions (very rare): retro gaming community pays surprising premiums for low-lag display

When you should just recycle (not sell or trade)

Devices over 10 years old in working but obsolete condition (Pentium-era PCs, pre-iPhone smartphones)
Devices with serious damage (water, cracked screen, dropped from height) where repair cost exceeds resale value
Sealed devices with degraded batteries (AirPods, sealed Bluetooth speakers)
Bulky CRT TVs with no specialty buyer
Devices containing personal data you can't fully wipe
Items that have been on Facebook Marketplace 30+ days without selling

For these, the recycling locator and retailer takeback programmes are the right path.

Tax considerations

US: trade-in credit toward a new purchase is not taxable income. Selling for cash is technically reportable but practically below most taxpayers' threshold for personal-use items.

UK: same — trade-in credit and selling personal-use items at or below original purchase price doesn't trigger income tax.

Business / commercial: different rules. Working devices sold from business inventory must be accounted for. Donation to registered charity may produce tax deduction.

Frequently asked questions

Where do I get the most money for an old iPhone? For working iPhones in good condition: eBay or Swappa (often 30-50% above trade-in). For convenience: Apple Trade In (toward new Apple purchase) or Best Buy.

My phone screen is cracked — is it still worth anything? Yes — typically $20-$80 trade-in even for cracked-screen working phones. Some buyers (BoardSort, RaisingDigits) specialise in damaged-board salvage and pay slightly more for premium models.

Should I sell my old laptop or recycle it? Working laptops with 8GB+ RAM and SSD have resale value $80+ regardless of age. Below that threshold (older Windows machines, dead batteries), recycling is the right answer.

Do utility rebates for old fridges work? Yes — most US utilities offer $30-$75 for working refrigerators and freezers under Energy Star Recycle My Old Fridge. Check your specific utility website. Includes free pickup in most participating areas.

What about pawn shops? Generally pay 30-50% of resale value. Useful for instant cash but the discount is steep. Best for items you've tried to sell and failed.

Can I make money fixing and reselling broken phones? Possibly — but the labour and parts cost typically erode margins. Replacement screens cost $40-$120; labour at $40/hour means a $200 sale produces $50-$80 net per device. Volume operations are profitable; one-off fixes often aren't.

Are old gaming consoles collectible? Some — original Xbox, original PlayStation, Nintendo handhelds (Game Boy, DS). The value is in original-packaging boxed units. Used loose consoles fetch modest prices.

What about old cameras? Used camera market is healthy. Specialist buyers (MPB, KEH) often beat generic trade-in by 30-60%. Lenses retain value better than bodies.

Should I sell or donate? If the resale value is below $30 and you have no urgent need for cash, donation to a charity that refurbishes for community use (e.g. Computers for Schools, Computer Aid International) is environmentally and socially valuable. Even better: charities can issue tax receipts.

What's the difference between scrap and refurb value? Scrap value = recoverable material (gold, silver, copper, aluminium) at refining-grade prices, typically $0.50-$60 per device. Refurb value = working device after testing/cleaning resold to consumer market, typically $50-$800. Scrap applies to non-working devices; refurb applies to working ones.

How accurate are these prices? The prices in this guide are typical 2026 market prices, snapshot as of April 2026. Trade-in values change weekly as manufacturers update pricing. Get a current quote before making decisions.

Sources

Apple Trade In values via apple.com/trade-in
Samsung Trade-In values via samsung.com
Best Buy Trade-In programme
Decluttr instant quotes
Gazelle locked-price quotes
Swappa active listings (peer-to-peer pricing)
eBay sold listings (truth-source for actual achieved prices)
MPB and KEH for camera market data
Energy Star Recycle My Old Fridge programme rebate database
PriceCharting.com for retro game and console values
Our Scrap Value Calculator for live material values

Related guides

Disclaimer

Prices in this guide reflect April 2026 market conditions and will fluctuate. For current valuations, get a quote from the specific channel before committing. eCycling Central is an independent information directory operated by Copious Ltd (UK Companies House 11437826). We are not affiliated with any of the trade-in services mentioned and do not receive commission on transactions completed via this guide.