If you’ve got an old handset in a drawer, you’ve probably wondered: how much is my phone worth these days? The honest answer is usually more than people expect — even a cracked or ageing phone holds real cash value. This Bristol seller’s guide explains what your phone is likely worth in 2026, what pushes the price up or down, and exactly how to sell it for the most cash.

The Quick Answer

Most used phones in the UK sell for somewhere between £40 and £400+, depending almost entirely on the model, its age and its condition. As a rough rule of thumb:

• A well-kept flagship 1–2 years old holds the most value — often 50–70% of its launch price.
• A phone 3–4 years old typically fetches a modest but worthwhile sum.
• Older or broken handsets still have value, because the parts are reusable and the device can be refurbished and resold.

The only way to know exactly how much your phone is worth is an instant valuation on your specific model — you can check what your phone is worth here in seconds, whether it’s working or broken.

What Affects How Much Your Phone Is Worth

Five things decide the number. Understanding them helps you estimate the value and push it higher before you sell.

1. The brand and model

This matters more than anything else. Apple iPhones hold their value best of any brand — a two-year-old iPhone is often worth 50–70% of what it cost new, while an equivalent Android handset might sit at 25–50%. That’s not brand loyalty; it’s market mechanics, driven by long software support and strong global demand for used iPhones. Samsung Galaxy flagships hold decent value too, especially the S and Z (foldable) lines.

2. Storage capacity

More storage means more money. The same model in 512GB is worth meaningfully more than the 128GB version — often £100 or more between the smallest and largest capacity of a flagship.

3. Condition

Cosmetic wear, screen condition and battery health all feed into a grade. Most UK buyers, including us, use a simple three-tier system:

• Grade A (Excellent) — like new, no visible wear.
• Grade B (Good) — minor signs of use, no major scratches.
• Grade C (Fair) — light scratches or scuffs, no cracks.

The gap between “Excellent” and “Good” can be 20–30% of the price, so genuine care pays off. A cracked screen doesn’t make a phone worthless, but it lowers the grade — and sometimes a cheap screen repair before selling earns back more than it costs.

4. Age and timing

Phones lose value fastest in year one — often 15–20% in the first few months — then more slowly. The sweet spot for resale value is 1–3 years old, when the phone still feels modern but the discount from new attracts buyers. Timing matters too: prices dip around new-model launches (September for iPhones) and in January when the market floods with upgrades, and tend to be strongest in late spring and early summer.

5. Where and how you sell

The factor people underestimate most. The same phone can fetch wildly different amounts depending on where you sell it — and whether the quote you’re given is the quote you actually get paid. More on that below.

How Much Is My iPhone Worth vs My Samsung?

If you’re asking specifically how much is my phone worth for an iPhone, the news is good: iPhones are the strongest value-holders on the market thanks to years of software support and huge second-hand demand. Recent flagships in good condition retain a healthy chunk of their launch price into their second and third years.

Samsung Galaxy handsets vary more by tier. Flagship S-series and the Z Fold/Flip foldables hold solid value — foldables in particular can be worth a surprising amount when the hinge and inner screen are sound — while mid-range A-series phones depreciate faster. Google Pixel sits in between.

Whatever you’ve got, we buy it — sell your iPhone, Samsung, Pixel or other brand for an instant cash quote.

Is My Broken Phone Worth Anything?

Yes — and this is the part most people get wrong. A cracked, faulty or even “dead” phone almost always has value, because its parts are reusable and the whole device can be refurbished and resold. Leaving it in a drawer is the only way to guarantee it’s worth nothing.

We make honest offers on broken handsets every day. If the fault is minor, it may even be worth repairing it first to lift the grade before selling — we’ll tell you honestly which route puts more money in your pocket. Our guide on whether to repair or replace your phone walks through that decision in detail.

How to Get the Best Price When You Sell

A few simple steps reliably push your offer higher:

• Sell at the right time — avoid the January glut and the weeks right after a new iPhone launch if you can.
• Clean it up — a wiped-down phone with the charging port cleared looks newer and grades better.
• Include the box and charger if you have them — small touches that help.
• Back up and factory reset, and sign out of iCloud, Find My or your Google account before selling.
• Be honest about the grade — an accurate description means the quote you see is the quote you get.
• Sell in person where possible. Online recyclers are notorious for revising the offer down after a “final inspection” — one well-known test sent the same iPhone to seven services and got quotes ranging by nearly 50%. Selling face-to-face removes that risk entirely.

Our full walkthrough on how to get the best value when selling or trading your phone goes deeper on each of these.

Where to Sell Your Phone in Bristol for the Best Price

Once you know how much your phone is worth, the next step is turning it into cash without the online-recycler runaround. At Phone Craft we test your phone in front of you, confirm the price on the spot, and pay you the same day in cash or by bank transfer — no posting, no tracking numbers, no revised offers.

We’re at 58A Union Street in Bristol city centre, and we buy from customers right across the area. There’s a local page for wherever you are:

Bradley Stoke · Avonmouth · Thornbury · Longwell Green · Nailsea · Bristol city centre

Prefer to trade up? Put your phone’s value straight towards a new or refurbished handset, or browse the full shop and this month’s offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is my phone worth if it’s a few years old?

A phone 1–3 years old is in the resale sweet spot and usually holds worthwhile value — a well-kept flagship can still fetch a good sum. Value drops more sharply after year three, but even older phones are worth something. Use an instant valuation on your exact model for a firm figure.

How much is my iPhone worth compared to a Samsung?

iPhones typically hold the most value — often 50–70% of launch price after two years — thanks to long software support and strong demand. Samsung flagships and foldables hold solid value too, while mid-range models depreciate faster.

Is my broken or cracked phone worth anything?

Yes. Broken, cracked and non-working phones still have value because their parts are reusable. You can get an instant quote and sell it for cash the same day, even if it won’t switch on.

What makes a phone worth more when selling?

Model and brand matter most, followed by storage size, condition/grade, age and where you sell. Selling at the right time and keeping the phone in good condition both push the price up.

Where can I sell my phone for the best price in Bristol?

Selling in person avoids the online-recycler trick of lowering the offer after inspection. At Phone Craft we test your phone in front of you, confirm the price and pay the same day in cash or by bank transfer.

How do I find out exactly how much my phone is worth?

Use an online valuation tool — choose your model, storage and condition and get an instant figure. It takes under a minute and there’s no obligation to sell.

The Bottom Line

So, how much is my phone worth? More than you’d think — a well-kept recent flagship holds most of its value, and even an old or broken handset is worth real cash rather than a drawer. The number comes down to model, storage, condition, age and where you sell, and the single biggest mistake is letting an online recycler lowball you after the phone’s already gone.

Find out your exact figure in seconds: check what your phone is worth, or call us on 07780 048166 and we’ll give you an honest quote either way.