Photo by Andrey Matveev on Pexels
## What Is the Galaxy S24+ Worth Now?
The current trade-in value of a Galaxy S24+ ranges from $250 to $550 depending on its condition, compared to its original price tag of $999 USD. Devices in "like new" condition can fetch up to 55% of the retail price, while those deemed "good" or "fair" will trade for less based on cosmetic and functional defects.
## How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the Galaxy S24+
To wipe data from your Galaxy S24+, follow these steps:
1. Back up all important data to Google Drive or a computer.
2. Remove any associated Google accounts through Settings > Accounts > Google > Remove.
3. deal with to Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset and confirm the process.
4. Take out the SIM card and microSD card, if present.
5. Lastly, remove the case and screen protector before recycling or trading in your device.
Wiping data is non-negotiable before you recycle or trade in a Galaxy S24+. This ensures your personal information remains secure and that no one else can access it once you've handed over your phone.
## Where to Recycle or Trade In the Galaxy S24+
You have several options for recycling or trading in your Galaxy S24+:
- Samsung's official trade-in programme offers cash back directly from the brand.
- Third-party platforms like [Decluttr](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/decluttr), [Back Market](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/back-market-refurbished), SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop provide both cash and store credit based on condition assessments.
- Retailers such as Best Buy (US), Currys (UK), and JB Hi-Fi (Australia) often have recycling programmes that reward customers with store credit or discounts towards new purchases.
Certified [e-waste definition](https://ecyclingcentral.com/glossary/e-waste) recyclers are also available for devices with no trade-in value, ensuring proper disposal without financial compensation. These options vary by region, so check which services apply to you locally.
## What Materials Are Recovered from the Galaxy S24+?
When recycling a Galaxy S24+, materials like aluminum, cobalt, lithium, gold, copper, and glass can be recovered. The phone weighs 196 grams, meaning each unit contains small but valuable quantities of these materials.
- Aluminum frames are ideal for reuse in manufacturing new electronics or construction materials.
- Cobalt is important for battery production, while lithium batteries provide a significant source for rechargeable devices.
- Gold and copper have high market values due to their rarity and conductivity properties.
- Glass components can be repurposed into various products like bottles or fiberglass insulation.
## Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling has a much lower environmental impact compared to sending electronics to landfill. 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. A single smartphone typically contains about $1-2 worth of precious metals and [rare earth elements](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/rare-earth-elements-in-electronics).
Landfilling smartphones can lead to fires due to lithium-ion batteries and toxic metal leaching into groundwater, causing severe environmental harm. Recycling not only reduces waste but also recovers valuable materials that are increasingly scarce in nature.
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## Galaxy S24+: 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 S24+ 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 [data sanitisation standard](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 S24+ 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 S24+ 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).*