Can You Sell a Broken Phone? What Damaged Devices Are Worth

Published: 4 Sep 2026

Almost everyone has one: a phone with a shattered screen, a battery that barely lasts an hour, or a handset that stopped switching on years ago. It often ends up sitting in a drawer because throwing it away feels wasteful and selling it seems pointless.

But a broken phone can still be worth money. Even when the device no longer works properly, some of its parts may still be useful to repairers, refurbishers, or recyclers. Here is how the market works and what you can realistically expect when selling a damaged phone.

Why Broken Phones Still Have Value

A damaged phone is more than just a broken device. It contains several components that may still work even when one major part has failed. That is why services that buy broken phones may still offer money for faulty handsets.

When a buyback service receives a damaged phone, one of several things can happen:

The fault is repaired and the phone is resold as refurbished
Working parts are removed and used to repair other devices
Useful materials are recovered through certified recycling

For example, a cracked screen does not necessarily mean the logic board, cameras, charging port, or other internal components are damaged. Some of these parts may still have value, which is why a phone that seems useless to you can still be worth something.

What Kind of Damage Still Sells?

Most types of damage reduce a phone’s value, but they do not always make it worthless. These problems may still be accepted by buyers:

Cracked or shattered screens, including screens that no longer respond
Batteries that drain quickly or will not hold a charge
Charging ports that have stopped working
Faulty cameras, speakers, or buttons
Bent frames and dented housings
Phones that will not switch on at all

A phone that does not turn on may still have valuable parts inside. Depending on the model and the cause of the fault, a repairer may be able to restore it or use its working components in another device.

What Actually Destroys the Value?

Some problems can reduce a phone’s value significantly or make it difficult to sell. Before getting a quote, check for issues such as:

The phone is still locked to a previous owner’s iCloud or Google account
The IMEI has been blacklisted as lost or stolen
Severe liquid damage has caused major internal corrosion
Important components have already been removed

Account locks are especially important. A phone that cannot be activated or used by a new owner may have very little resale value, even if its physical condition is good.

If possible, remove your account and disable any activation or security locks before selling the device.

Should You Repair It Before Selling?

Usually, repairing a broken phone before selling it is not the best option. Repair costs come out of your pocket, while the increase in the phone’s resale value may not be enough to cover those costs.

For example, a screen replacement can be expensive, but the final selling price may not increase by the same amount after the repair.

Instead of guessing, compare the numbers. Get a repair quote and then find out what the phone is worth in its current condition. If the extra amount you could earn after repairing it is less than the repair cost, selling it as-is may make more sense.

There is one possible exception. If you have a recent flagship phone with a small and inexpensive fault, repairing it could increase its value enough to make the repair worthwhile. Compare the repair cost with the expected selling price before making a decision.

What Is a Broken Phone Actually Worth?

A broken phone usually sells for a fraction of the price of a fully working device. However, there is no single price because the value depends on the model, age, storage, condition, and type of damage.

As a general guide:

A cracked screen on an otherwise working phone can reduce its value significantly
A phone that will not turn on may still be worth a smaller percentage of its working value
Recent flagship phones usually retain more value when damaged than older budget or mid-range models

The phone model often matters more than the damage itself. A broken recent iPhone, for example, may be worth more than an older working Android phone because there can be stronger demand for its parts and components.

The best way to know the actual value is to get a quote rather than relying on a general percentage.

How to Sell a Broken Phone Safely

Private buyers may be less interested in faulty phones, and those who are interested may negotiate heavily. A buyback service that accepts damaged devices can be a simpler option.

Before sending or handing over your phone, take a few basic steps to protect your personal information:

Sign out of iCloud or remove your Google account
Erase the device remotely if the screen does not respond
Remove your SIM card and memory card
Describe the damage honestly when requesting a quote
Back up any important photos, contacts, or files before erasing the phone

If the phone cannot turn on, use the manufacturer’s available account or device-finding service to erase it remotely when possible.

You should also check what happens if the final offer is lower than the initial quote. Make sure you understand whether you can reject the offer and have the phone returned before sending it.

Conclusion

A broken phone is not necessarily worthless. Cracked screens, dead batteries, faulty charging ports, and even phones that will not turn on can still have resale value depending on the model and condition.

Before spending money on repairs, compare the repair cost with the amount you could get by selling the phone as-is. Most importantly, remove your personal accounts and data before handing the device over.

If you have an old or damaged phone sitting in a drawer, get a quote before assuming it has no value. You may be surprised by what it is still worth.