## What Is the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Worth Now?
The current trade-in value for a Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra ranges from $300 to $650, depending on its condition and age. When it was released in 2023, the original price tag was $1199 USD. The highest value is for units that are "like new" or have minimal wear, fetching close to $650. For tablets in good condition with some signs of use, you can expect around 70-85% of their original retail price. Devices deemed fair but not perfect might sell for 40-65%, while broken units that still contain valuable components could trade for as little as 10-35%.
## How to Wipe Data Before Recycling the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Wiping data from your Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is a important step before recycling or trading it in. Follow these steps:
1. Backup all important files and photos to cloud storage services like Google Drive or locally to another device.
2. Remove any accounts linked to the tablet, such as Google, Samsung Account, or social media apps.
3. Perform a [factory reset](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/how-to-factory-reset-any-device-before-trading-in) via Settings > General Management > Reset > Factory Data Reset.
4. If your Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra has an included microSD card, remove it before recycling.
Wiping data ensures that none of your personal information falls into the wrong hands and is mandatory for any device you plan to recycle or trade in.
## Where to Recycle or Trade In the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra
Several options exist for trading in or recycling your Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra. You can use Samsung's official programme if they offer a trade-in service, which often provides store credit rather than cash. Alternatively, third-party services like [Decluttr](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/decluttr), [Back Market](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/back-market-refurbished), SellCell, Gazelle, and GameStop will give you either cash or a gift card in exchange for your device.
Retailers such as Best Buy, Staples (US), Currys (UK), and JB Hi-Fi (Australia) also have trade-in programmes that vary by country. For devices with no trade-in value, certified [e-waste definition](https://ecyclingcentral.com/glossary/e-waste) recyclers are the best choice to ensure proper disposal and recovery of valuable materials.
## What Materials Are Recovered from the Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra?
The Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra is made primarily of aluminum, cobalt, lithium, gold, copper, and glass. The tablet weighs 732g, indicating a significant amount of these materials. Aluminum can be recycled to make new electronics or construction materials. Cobalt and lithium are important for the battery, which needs careful handling by certified e-waste recyclers due to its size (11,200 mAh). Gold is recovered from circuit boards and used in jewelry or electronics components. Copper finds use in wiring and electrical systems, while glass can be recycled into new display screens.
## Environmental Impact of Recycling vs Landfill
Recycling your Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra significantly reduces environmental impact compared to sending it to a landfill. For example, mining one tonne of gold from ore generates 18,000 tonnes of waste, whereas recovering gold from circuit boards is 80 times more efficient. Each smartphone contains approximately $1-2 worth of recoverable precious metals that can be reused in manufacturing new devices.
Landfills pose risks like toxic metal leaching into groundwater and [lithium battery](https://ecyclingcentral.com/guides/lithium-battery-safety-handling-storage-disposal) fires, both harmful to ecosystems and human health. Recycling not only preserves natural resources but also minimizes pollution, making it the preferred method for disposing of electronic waste.
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Specs: 70W, digital temperature control, ESD-safe
Typical price: £99-£139
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Why it matters: best-value way to buy iPhone - 30-50% off new, identical experience, year-long Amazon guarantee on the device
## Galaxy Tab S9 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 Tab S9 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 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 Tab S9 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 Tab S9 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).*
