Appleselling-guidetrade-in

Trade‑In vs Resell: Which Option Gets You More Cash for Your Old iPhone?

ccomparable

2026-01-31

10 min read

Model net proceeds for trade‑in, reseller marketplaces and private sale — factoring fees, repairs, shipping, time and taxes to find the best cash offer.

Stop guessing — know the real cash you'll walk away with

If you’re selling an old iPhone you’ve seen two conflicting pieces of advice: “trade it in to Apple — fast and safe” and “sell privately — you’ll get the most money.” Both are true sometimes. The difference is in the fine print: fees, shipping, repair or refurb costs, time invested, and the tax or marketplace collection rules that quietly reduce what you actually walk away with. This article models real net proceeds for trade‑in vs reseller marketplaces vs private sale and gives a clear decision framework so you can pick the highest‑value route for your exact phone and condition in 2026.

Quick verdict (inverted pyramid)

Short answer: For most mid‑range used iPhones in good condition a private sale nets the most cash. Reseller marketplaces typically beat trade‑ins but take time and fees. Trade‑in wins when your device is low value, badly damaged, or you value speed and convenience or you want instant credit for a new Apple purchase.

Read on for the numbers: three realistic scenarios, transparent assumptions, and the exact math so you can run the model for your phone.

Why this matters in 2026

Market dynamics shifted in late 2025 and into early 2026. Apple refreshed its trade‑in table in January 2026, reducing some values and increasing others for specific product lines. At the same time, reseller marketplaces adjusted fee structures and logistics options to compete on speed and seller experience. That makes it more important than ever to model net proceeds instead of comparing headline trade‑in quotes or asking prices.

What this article covers

Net proceeds model that includes fees, shipping, repair/ refurb cost, time cost, and likely tax/collection effects
Three real scenarios with numbers you can reuse
When trade‑in is the smartest choice and when to avoid it
Actionable teardown: steps to maximize net proceeds

How we modeled net proceeds

Rather than rely on headline trade‑in or posting prices, the model calculates:

Gross sale price — the typical realized price for the specific iPhone model/condition.
Platform fees — marketplace commissions, managed payments, listing fees.
Shipping & insurance — actual expected cost to ship an insured phone.
Repair/refurb cost — out‑of‑pocket cost to bring the phone to a higher grade if you choose to repair before sale.
Time cost — practical hours spent managing the sale, valued at a conservative $20/hr to account for opportunity cost.
Tax / collection effects — notes on where marketplaces or tax rules can change net proceeds.

We show three scenarios with concrete numbers you can substitute for your model.

Assumptions you can change

Phone: iPhone 13 Pro, 128 GB — a common mid‑life model used for comparisons. Swap numbers for your model.
Repair cost (third‑party screen): $150. Apple OEM out‑of‑warranty repairs may be higher (~$200–$300).
Marketplace fee: 12% of sale price (typical range for reseller marketplaces in 2025–26; exact fee varies by platform).
Shipping & insurance: $12 for tracked USPS/insurer label for U.S. domestic sale (platform labels often deduct this cost).
Time cost: $20/hour. Trade‑ins typically take <1 hour; private sales often require more time.

Scenario models — real numbers

Below are three realistic condition scenarios and the math for each sale channel. Replace the numbers with your phone/model to run the same calculation.

Scenario A — Good condition (fully functional, minor wear)

Typical realized gross prices (Jan 2026 market):

Apple trade‑in quote: $220
Reseller marketplace (Swappa/eBay average realized): $400
Private sale (local buyer / marketplace without seller fee): $500

Costs and time:

Marketplace fee: 12% of gross (reseller) = $48
Shipping (if needed) = $12
Time cost: trade‑in = 0.5 hr ($10); reseller = 2 hr ($40); private = 3 hr ($60)
Repair cost = $0

Net proceeds — Scenario A

Apple trade‑in: 220 - 10 = $210
Reseller marketplace: 400 - 48 - 12 - 40 = $300
Private sale: 500 - 60 = $440

Result: private sale nets the most cash by a wide margin if you can manage the listing and meet a buyer safely.

Scenario B — Fair / cracked screen (screen cracked, phone functional)

Seller options: repair before sale, sell as‑is privately, sell to reseller or trade‑in. We'll model two common choices.

Gross prices as‑is vs after repair:

Sell as‑is privately: $350
Sell after third‑party repair: $480 (note: repair cost $150)
Reseller marketplace as‑is offer: $250 (marketplaces reduce offers heavily for visible damage)
Apple trade‑in for fair condition: $80 (applies large deductions for screen damage)

Costs & time (same assumptions as A)

Net proceeds — Scenario B

Sell as‑is privately: 350 - 60 = $290
Repair then sell privately: 480 - 150 - 60 = $270
Reseller marketplace: 250 - 30 (12% fee) - 12 - 40 = $168
Apple trade‑in: 80 - 10 = $70

Result: For a crack, selling as‑is privately often outperforms repairing first. Trade‑in becomes particularly poor value for visible damage.

Scenario C — Low demand or older device (e.g., early‑generation models)

For lower‑value models the math flips because the absolute fees and time costs matter more.

Typical gross prices: trade‑in $40; reseller $70; private $90
Net math using same fees/time:

Trade‑in: 40 - 10 = $30
Reseller: 70 - 8.4 - 12 - 40 = $9.6 (negative if you count prep)
Private: 90 - 60 = $30

Result: For low‑value phones the convenience of trade‑in often matches — or is better than — reseller marketplaces after fees and time. Private sale can still win if you're willing to invest time, but the incremental cash may be small.

Key takeaways from the models

Private sale = highest upside for in‑demand models in good condition, but it carries the highest time/risk cost.
Reseller marketplaces = middle ground — better than trade‑in in price for many phones, and lower hassle than private sale. Watch fees and shipping deductions.
Trade‑in = best for damaged/low‑value devices or when you value speed, guaranteed acceptance, or want instant credit toward a new Apple purchase (Apple sometimes runs promotional bonus trade‑in credit around new phone launches).
Repair vs sell as‑is: Repair only when the uplift in realized gross price exceeds the repair cost plus time. For cracked screens on many iPhones, selling as‑is is often higher net.

2026 trends that should affect your decision

Apple trade‑in table updates (Jan 2026): Apple adjusted values in January 2026 — a reminder that trade‑in quotes move and should be checked right before you sell. In some product lines Apple reduced max payouts while increasing others; always capture a live quote.
Marketplace fee shifts: After fee changes in late 2024–25, many reseller platforms now bundle shipping and insurance in their offers and deduct a visible fee — read the payout breakdown rather than the headline price.
Demand cycles: New iPhone launches and holiday promotions (late 2025) temporarily inflate trade‑in credits and private sale prices. If you can sell at the peak moment you can add 10–20% to gross.
Parts & repair pricing: Third‑party parts prices normalized in 2025; Apple parts remain premium. Repair vs sell decisions have to use current local repair quotes, not historical costs.

Practical rule: check an Apple trade‑in quote, a reseller offer, and a private‑sale comparables search — then run the numbers using our template.

Actionable checklist — maximize your net proceeds

Get three live quotes: Apple trade‑in, one reseller marketplace (Swappa/Decluttr/Gazelle), and check recent completed private sale listings on Facebook Marketplace, eBay Sold, Craigslist.
Decide on repairs by math: ask your local shop for a repair quote and only repair if the net uplift > repair cost + time cost.
Optimize listing: clean the phone, take 12+ clear photos, include original box/charger if available, and list honest condition. Buyers pay more for trust and completeness.
Protect your sale: for shipped private sales use tracked, insured shipping and require instant pay methods. For high‑value sales prefer local cash or escrow services.
Account for time: set a minimum net target — if a reseller trade‑in meets it, choose convenience.
Time your sale: selling right after a new model announcement or around holiday buying cycles can push prices higher.

Decision framework — step by step

Use this simple decision tree:

Is the phone low value (<~$100 market)? If yes, trade‑in or local recycle program for speed.
Is the phone damaged? If repair cost > expected resale uplift, sell as‑is (private or reseller based on convenience).
Do you have time and safety ability for a private sale? If yes, aim for private sale. If not, use a reseller marketplace.
Do you want instant credit toward a new Apple device? Check Apple’s live trade‑in and promotional credits — sometimes they close the gap.

How to calculate net proceeds for your phone (copyable formula)

Net proceeds = Gross sale price − Platform fees − Shipping & insurance − Repair/refurb cost − Time cost

Time cost = (hours spent) × (your hourly value). Use $0 for trade‑in when you value speed and want to avoid selling time.

Safety, taxes and gotchas

Safety: Prefer local public meetups during daylight or use verified courier escrow for shipped private sales. If a buyer insists on unusual payment flows, pause the sale.
Taxes: In most jurisdictions personal sales of used personal property aren’t taxable, but platform‑collected sales tax rules vary. If you’re running a business (frequent flipping) consult a tax advisor.
Payment risk: For private sales prefer instant bank transfer, cash, or marketplace‑managed payments. Avoid checks or “overpayment” scams.

Final recommendations — pick by objective

You need cash fast / minimal risk: Trade‑in.
You want best price and can invest time safely: Private sale.
You want balance — better payout than trade‑in with less hassle than private sale: Reseller marketplace.

Free next step: run the model for your phone

Use the formula and scenarios above with live quotes from Apple, Swappa/eBay, and your local marketplace. If you want a shortcut: pull a current Apple trade‑in quote (Apple updated values in Jan 2026), check three recent sold listings for your exact model/condition, and plug the numbers into the formula.

Actionable closing

Stop leaving money on the table. Get the three live quotes now, run the quick calculation, and choose the channel that matches your risk tolerance and time availability. If you want, download our ready‑made net‑proceeds spreadsheet (free on our tools page) to enter your own numbers and see a side‑by‑side comparison in seconds.

Ready to get the best cash for your old iPhone? Start by grabbing an Apple trade‑in quote and checking two recent private sale comps — then run the numbers. If you want personalized help, use our net‑proceeds calculator or sign up for deal alerts to sell at the peak moment (discoverability & timing tips).

comparable

Contributor

Senior editor and content strategist. Writing about technology, design, and the future of digital media. Follow along for deep dives into the industry's moving parts.