## What Is the Galaxy S23 Ultra Worth Now?
The current trade-in value for a Galaxy S23 Ultra ranges from $250 to $520, depending on its condition. When it was released in 2023, the original price tag was $1199 USD. The value decreases based on how well you've cared for your phone: "like new" models fetch close to $520, while those in good or fair shape might get between $250 and $450. Broken phones still have some residual worth but much less-usually around 10-35% of the original price.
## How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the Galaxy S23 Ultra
To protect your personal data, you must wipe it from the Galaxy S23 Ultra before recycling or trading in. Here's a step-by-step guide:
1. Back up all important data to Google Drive or another cloud service.
2. Remove any linked Google accounts by going to Settings > Accounts > Google and selecting "Remove."
3. Reset your phone using Factory Data Reset under Settings > General Management > Reset.
4. Take out the SIM card and microSD card, if you have one.
5. Finally, remove the case and screen protector before handing over your Galaxy S23 Ultra.
## Where to Recycle or Trade In the Galaxy S23 Ultra
Several options are available for recycling or trading in your Galaxy S23 Ultra:
- **Samsung**: Use Samsung's trade-in programme if they have one or drop it off at an official recycling centre.
- **Third-party services**: Sites like [Decluttr](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/decluttr), [Back Market](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/back-market-refurbished), SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop offer cash for used devices. Some also provide store credit.
- **Retailer programmes**: Best Buy in the US, Currys in the UK, and JB Hi-Fi in Australia have trade-in initiatives that give you either cash or a gift card.
## What Materials Are Recovered from the Galaxy S23 Ultra?
The materials recovered from recycling a Galaxy S23 Ultra include aluminum, cobalt, lithium, gold, copper, and glass. Each material has its own value:
- **Aluminum**: The frame of your phone is made from Armor Aluminum, which can be repurposed into new devices.
- **Cobalt and Lithium**: Used in the battery, these are critical for manufacturing new batteries.
- **Gold**: Found in small amounts within electronic components, it's valuable when recovered.
- **Copper**: Commonly used in wiring, copper is easily recyclable.
- **Glass**: The screen contains glass that can be melted down and reused.
## Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling your Galaxy S23 Ultra significantly reduces environmental harm. For instance, mining one tonne of gold from ore generates 18,000 tonnes of waste. In contrast, recovering gold from circuit boards is up to 80 times more efficient. Each smartphone contains about $1-2 worth of recoverable precious metals, which can be reused in new electronics. Additionally, disposing of lithium batteries in landfill sites risks causing fires and leaching toxic substances into groundwater.
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## Galaxy S23 Ultra: complete recycling + trade-in guide (2026-05-20)
### Trade-in vs recycle decision
Use this matrix to decide:
| Device condition | Best route | Typical net value |
|---|---|---|
| Working, 0-2 years old | Manufacturer trade-in or carrier upgrade | 35-65% of MSRP |
| Working, screen damaged but functional | eBay / Swappa / Music Magpie | 20-45% of MSRP |
| Working, 2-4 years old | Music Magpie / BackMarket buyback | 15-25% of MSRP |
| Working, 4-6 years old | Specialist refurbisher | 5-15% of MSRP |
| 6+ years old OR not working | Certified recycler (free) | $0 but avoided landfill fines |
Compare 7 buyback prices for Galaxy S23 Ultra in 30 seconds via our [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder).
### Data sanitisation steps
1. **Sign out of all cloud services** - Apple ID, Google account, Microsoft account, Samsung account. For Apple devices, removing iCloud lock is mandatory or the next owner can't activate.
2. **[Factory reset](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/how-to-factory-reset-any-device-before-trading-in) via Settings menu**:
- iOS: Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content
- Android: Settings → System → Reset → Factory data reset
- Windows: Settings → System → Recovery → Reset this PC → Remove everything
- macOS: Apple menu → System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset
3. **Verify the reset completed** - powered-on device should land on setup-from-scratch screen.
4. **For sensitive data**: factory reset alone is insufficient for SSDs (drive may retain recoverable data). Use a certified [ITAD](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/it-asset-disposition-itad-explained) provider with [NIST media sanitisation](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/nist-800-88-data-sanitisation-standards) Purge. See [Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator](/tools/hard-drive-destruction-cost-calculator).
### Recoverable materials
Smartphones + tablets like Galaxy S23 Ultra contain (per Apple environmental reports + iFixit teardowns):
- **Aluminium frame**: 1-3% mass recovered at certified processors
- **Copper wiring**: 60-80% recovery rate
- **Gold + silver in connectors**: 35-65% recovery
- **Lithium-ion battery**: must be separated stream (fire risk in mixed loads)
- **Rare earth magnets** in speakers + haptics: limited recovery economically
Total recoverable material value per smartphone-class device: $1.50-$4.20 at current commodity prices. Look up live value via our [Scrap Value Calculator](/tools/scrap-value-calculator).
### Manufacturer programs available
Most major device brands offer free recycling for their own devices:
- **[Apple Trade In](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/apple-trade-in-and-recycling)** - free shipping, in-store credit or gift card payout
- **Samsung Recycle Direct** - free mail-in, gift card payout
- **Google Pixel Trade-In** - free mail-in, instant credit
- **Microsoft Trade-In** - via authorised partners, gift card payout
- **Dell Reconnect** (US) - free in-store via Goodwill partnership
- **HP Planet Partners** - free mail-in label
For full verified list per device brand: [Manufacturer Take-Back Finder](/tools/manufacturer-takeback-finder).
### Compliance + penalties
Personal data on a disposed device that isn't properly sanitised exposes the original owner to GDPR / state privacy law liability:
- **UK GDPR + EU GDPR Art 32**: appropriate technical + organisational measures - penalties up to £17.5M / €20M or 4% global turnover
- **US state laws** (CCPA, NY SHIELD Act, CO CDPA): per-incident penalties $2,500-$7,500
- **HIPAA** (US healthcare): per-incident penalties $137-$68,928 + per-record $137-$2,134
For any data-bearing device, request a Certificate of Destruction or use a free template via [GDPR Data Erasure Certificate Generator](/tools/gdpr-erasure-certificate-generator).
### Frequently asked questions
**Can I sell Galaxy S23 Ultra if it's still on the carrier blocklist?**
No - blocked devices have negligible resale value and reputable buyback services reject them. Contact the original carrier to remove the block first (verify with original purchase records). If blocked due to non-payment, settle the account before listing.
**What about devices with broken screens but working internals?**
Refurbishers like Music Magpie + BackMarket pay 40-60% of working-condition value for broken-screen devices. Worth listing - the screen swap costs them $30-$80 wholesale.
**Should I remove the battery before recycling?**
No - certified recyclers want intact devices. Manual battery removal risks puncture + lithium-ion fire. Loose batteries also need separate hazmat shipping stream.
### Related tools + guides
- [Trade-In Best Price Finder](/tools/trade-in-best-price-finder) - compare 7 buyback services
- [Manufacturer Take-Back Finder](/tools/manufacturer-takeback-finder) - direct-to-brand programmes
- [Scrap Value Calculator](/tools/scrap-value-calculator) - live commodity-price recovery estimate
- [Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator](/tools/hard-drive-destruction-cost-calculator) - for data-sensitive devices
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*Device data verified against manufacturer environmental reports + iFixit repairability database + current commodity prices as of 2026-05-20. Operated by Defining Style Limited (UK Companies House 10572391, ICO Registration ZA711914).*
