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## What Is the Galaxy S24 Ultra Worth Now?
The current trade-in value of a Galaxy S24 Ultra ranges from $350 to $750, depending on its condition and age. When it was released in 2024, the original price was $1299 USD. Devices rated "like new" fetch closer to $750, while those in "good" condition typically trade for between $350 and $650. Phones deemed "fair" might be worth around half of that range, with broken units fetching significantly less.
How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Before recycling or trading in your Galaxy S24 Ultra, you must wipe all data from it securely:
- Back up any important files to Google Drive or a computer.
- Remove your Google account by going to Settings > Accounts > Google and selecting "Remove."
- Reset your device to factory settings through Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
- Take out the SIM card and microSD card, if present.
- Lastly, remove any cases or screen protectors before recycling.
Wiping data is non-negotiable for protecting your privacy and preventing identity theft when you're done with your Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Where to Recycle or Trade In the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Several reputable options are available for trading in or recycling a Galaxy S24 Ultra:
- Brand programme: Samsung offers a trade-in program where you can exchange your device for Galaxy credit. Alternatively, if the phone is too damaged to be resold, Samsung's recycling initiative allows for proper disposal.
- Third-party trade-ins: Back Market, SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop all accept Galaxy S24 Ultra devices in good condition. These platforms provide cash payouts based on device condition.
- Retailer programmes: Best Buy, Staples (US), Currys (UK), and JB Hi-Fi (Australia) also have trade-in programs for the Galaxy S24 Ultra. They often offer store credit or a discount towards a new purchase instead of cash.
- Certified definition of e-waste recyclers: If your Galaxy S24 Ultra has no remaining value, certified recyclers can safely dispose of it and recover valuable materials.
What Materials Are Recovered from the Galaxy S24 Ultra?
The Galaxy S24 Ultra contains several valuable materials, including titanium, cobalt, lithium, gold, copper,
rare earth elements, and glass. The device weighs 232 grams, with a significant portion of this weight attributed to its durable titanium frame.
- Titanium: Used for the sturdy frame that makes up a substantial part of the phone's structure.
- Cobalt and Lithium: Both are critical in manufacturing the battery, which has a capacity of 5000 mAh.
- Gold: Present as one of several precious metals used in circuitry and connectors. Even small amounts can be recovered efficiently from electronic waste.
- Rare Earth Elements: important for components like speakers and microphones, adding to their value.
- Glass: Found in the display screen and other protective elements.
Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling electronics significantly reduces environmental impact compared to landfill disposal. For instance, mining one tonne of gold from ore produces 18,000 tonnes of waste, while recovering gold from circuit boards is 80 times more efficient. Additionally, a single smartphone contains about $1-2 worth of recoverable precious metals.
However, placing electronic devices in landfills poses significant risks: lithium batteries can cause fires and leach toxic substances into groundwater, harming local ecosystems and potentially contaminating water supplies for communities nearby. Proper recycling ensures that these materials are safely recovered and reused, reducing the need for environmentally damaging mining practices.
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Galaxy S24 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 S24 Ultra in 30 seconds via our Trade-In Best Price Finder.
Data sanitisation steps
- 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.
- Factory reset 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
- Verify the reset completed - powered-on device should land on setup-from-scratch screen.
- For sensitive data: factory reset alone is insufficient for SSDs (drive may retain recoverable data). Use a certified ITAD provider with NIST media sanitisation Purge. See Hard Drive Destruction Cost Calculator.
Recoverable materials
Smartphones + tablets like Galaxy S24 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.
Manufacturer programs available
Most major device brands offer free recycling for their own devices:
- Apple Trade In - 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell Galaxy S24 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
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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).