Three Trade-In is Three UK’s mobile device recycling and upgrade programme, designed specifically for its customer base looking to update their devices. Unlike competitors such as Vodafone, EE, and O2, Three Trade-In enables customers to use the value of their old phones directly towards purchasing new contracts or making upfront payments with Three. In 2024, this initiative saw approximately 280,000 trade-ins processed through the programme.
To participate in Three Trade-In, customers can visit three.co.uk/store/upgrade-and-trade-in to start their upgrade journey or purchase a new contract. During checkout, they simply select their device model and follow the prompts to apply its trade-in value towards their next mobile network service with Three.
6GB | £440 | £572 | | Samsung Galaxy S23 128GB | £210 | £273 | | Samsung Galaxy A54 | £75 | £98 | | Google Pixel 8 Pro 128GB | £285 | £371 | | iPad Pro 11-inch M2 256GB | £420 | £546 | | Apple Watch Series 9 GPS | £150 | £195 |
Three's base prices typically sit slightly below EE and Vodafone, but the 30% bonus closes the gap on contract upgrades.
Customer eligibility
Three Trade-In is unique among UK carriers for requiring an existing Three relationship:
- Existing Three pay-monthly customers can trade in during upgrade or any new contract
- Three SIM-only customers can trade in if adding a new handset contract
- Three pay-as-you-go customers can trade in for credit applied to a new contract purchase
- Non-Three customers must switch to Three to use the programme
This restriction is the main reason Three Trade-In handles fewer devices than EE, Vodafone or O2 despite competitive pricing.
Condition grading
Three uses a simpler 3-tier system:
- Good: works fully, minor wear, no screen damage
- Fair: works fully, visible scratches or dents
- Damaged: cracked screen or partial functional issue (accepted at lower rate)
Three does not accept phones that are reported lost or stolen, have iCloud/Google account active, or are water-damaged with triggered indicators.
Three vs other UK carrier trade-ins
| Carrier | iPhone 13 cash | iPhone 13 credit | Eligibility |
|---|
| Three Trade-In | £195 | £254 (30% bonus) | Three customers only |
| EE Trade-In | £205 | £308 (50% bonus) | Any network |
| Vodafone Trade-In | £215 | £258 (20% bonus) | Any network |
| O2 Recycle | £225 | n/a (cash only) | Any network |
Three is the lowest cash payout and most restrictive. The 30% bonus makes it competitive against Vodafone for existing Three customers upgrading within Three.
What Three does with traded-in devices
Three UK's 2024 Network Sustainability Report states 94% of traded-in devices were either remarketed, used for parts, or recycled via WEEE-compliant partners. The remaining 6% reached material recovery facilities for metal extraction.
Three does not publish details of its refurbishment partners but devices are not resold under Three's own brand. Refurbishment is outsourced to third-party resellers including Music Magpie and Reuse Network.
Practical advice
Three Trade-In makes the most sense when:
- You're already a Three customer
- You're due for an upgrade and the 30% bonus closes the cash gap vs O2/EE
- You want the simplest single-portal process
It makes less sense when:
- You're not a Three customer (switching cost outweighs any benefit)
- Your phone has high resale value (Music Magpie or BackMarket usually pay more cash)
- You want fast cash out (Three only offers contract credit, not BACS)
Key takeaways
- Three Trade-In is open to Three customers only (existing or switching)
- 2026 prices: iPhone 13 128GB Good = £195 cash, £254 contract credit
- 30% contract credit bonus on devices valued above £200
- Lower base price than EE, Vodafone, O2 but bonus makes it competitive
- Cannot be used for direct cash payout, credit only
Sources
Three UK Trade-In published price guide Q1 2026. Three UK Network Sustainability Report 2024. EE / Vodafone / O2 published trade-in prices Q1 2026.
