Thinking about the best place to sell your old phone? Honestly, it all comes down to what you're really after. Are you looking for the absolute highest price, the fastest possible cash, or just the easiest, most hassle-free option you can find?

If you're in or around Surrey, popping into a trusted local shop can give you a fantastic blend of all three.

Your Guide to Selling Your Phone for the Best Price

An organised desk with a phone, laptop, and notebook, ready for selling online.

For anyone near Redhill, Merstham, or other local towns, a specialist shop offers that friendly, face-to-face service that you just can't get online. You can walk in, get an instant quote, and walk out with cash in hand. It completely cuts out the risk of online scams and the headache of postage problems.

This simple guide will walk you through the most common ways to sell your phone, laying out the good and the bad for each. Let's make sure you get the best deal without any unnecessary fuss.

We'll compare a few key options:

  • Local specialist shops (like us in Redhill!)
  • Big online marketplaces and recycling sites
  • Manufacturer trade-in schemes

The goal is simple: to help you squeeze every last bit of value out of your old device.

If you want a quick, no-strings-attached quote right now, just fill out the form on our website at https://www.exe.co.uk/#form.

Why Your Phone's Brand Massively Affects Its Resale Price

A close-up of different smartphone brands displayed on a table.

Ever wondered why some phones hold their value so well while others seem to drop in price the moment you unbox them? Well, the logo on the back of your device plays a much bigger part than you might think.

It’s no secret that Apple's iPhones consistently lead the pack. They just fetch higher prices on the second-hand market, even years after their release. This is thanks to a rock-solid reputation and Apple's commitment to long-term software support.

The numbers really back this up. In the UK's used mobile market, Apple held a whopping 45.19% market share, with Samsung following at 33.25% as of August 2025. It’s clear people are willing to pay for premium devices that don't lose their value so quickly. You can read more about UK used phone trends if you fancy a deeper dive.

Knowing this can help you time your sale perfectly. For instance, demand for older models often gets a little boost right after a new iPhone launch.

Curious about what your phone could be worth? Get a quick, no-fuss quote by filling out our simple form.

Getting Your Phone Ready for a Smooth Sale

Before you even start looking for the best place to sell your phone, a little prep work goes a long way. Taking these few simple steps protects your personal data and helps you get the best possible price. It’s the key to a secure and straightforward sale, whether you're right here in Redhill or anywhere else.

First, back up everything you can't live without. We all have photos, contacts, and files we'd hate to lose, so make sure they're safely stored in the cloud or on your computer before you do anything else.

Next up, and this is a big one, you need to sign out of your accounts. If you have an iPhone, sign out of your Apple ID and turn off Find My iPhone. For Android users, the equivalent is removing your Google account. This is super important because it prevents any activation lock headaches for the person who buys it.

Once your data is safe and you’re signed out, it’s time for a full factory reset. This wipes the phone clean of all your personal information, returning it to its original state, fresh and ready for its new home.

A phone that looks well-cared for, complete with its original accessories, always catches a buyer's eye. If you can dig out the box and the charger, you'll often find it adds a nice little boost to your final offer.

Ready to see what your phone is worth? Fill out our simple sales form for a quick, no-obligation quote.

From Online Marketplaces to Local Shops: Where Should You Sell?

So, you've got your phone prepped and ready to go. Now for the big question: where’s the best place to actually sell it? The options can feel a bit overwhelming, so let's break them down in a simple way.

You could go the online marketplace route. Sites like eBay often bring in the highest prices, but be prepared to put in the work. You’ll be creating the listing, taking photos, dealing with buyer questions, and handling the postage yourself.

Then there are the big online phone recyclers. They're incredibly convenient, no doubt. The catch? The initial quote they give you online isn't always what you get. We've heard plenty of stories where that price drops once they've had a chance to inspect the phone in person.

Of course, you can always trade it in directly with the manufacturer, like Apple or Samsung. This is probably the easiest option, but it rarely gives you the best value, and you'll almost always get store credit, not cash. You're locked into buying your next device from them.

The second-hand market is a busy place, with giants like musicMagpie and Back Market leading the charge online. It’s a competitive space, and you can get a better sense of the UK's second-hand market dynamics here.

To get your phone ready for any of these routes, just follow this simple checklist.

Infographic about best place to sell my phone

Honestly, those three steps—backing up your data, signing out of your accounts, and doing a full factory reset—are an absolute must. It's the only way to be sure your personal information is safe.

For anyone living near Redhill, Merstham, or the surrounding towns, popping into a local shop is a fantastic, stress-free alternative. You get a fair price and, best of all, instant cash in your hand without any of the online hassle.

Curious what your phone is worth? Get a quick, no-obligation quote by filling out our simple form.

Getting Your Quote and Sealing the Deal

You've done the groundwork, and now it’s time for the payoff. If you’ve ever tried selling a phone online, you’ll know the drill: you get an initial quote, send your phone off, and then wait to see if the final offer matches up. It can be a bit of a nail-biter.

The beauty of selling locally is that you cut out all that uncertainty.

A Straightforward, In-Person Valuation

Here in Redhill, you can just pop into our shop with your phone. We'll take a look at it right there and then, check its condition, make sure everything works as it should, and give you a solid, on-the-spot offer based on today's market value. No waiting, no guesswork, just a simple chat.

This direct, face-to-face approach is a big reason people from Redhill and nearby towns prefer it. With most of us keeping our phones for an average of 3.67 years, getting a fair and final price really matters. The timing of your sale can make a big difference, as you can see from these UK mobile device market trends.

Once we give you our quote, the ball is in your court. If you like the price, you can walk out with cash in your pocket moments later. It really is that simple.

Want a rough idea of what your phone is worth before you even leave the house? Just fill out our simple online form for a quick estimate.

Got Questions About Selling Your Phone?

It's totally normal to have a few questions before you sell your old phone. Let's walk through some of the most common things people ask us, so you can feel confident you're getting the best deal.

How Much Can I Realistically Get for My Old Phone?

This is the big one, isn't it? The truth is, it varies quite a bit based on the model, its age, how well it's been looked after, and its storage capacity.

As a rule of thumb, newer iPhones and top-tier Samsung Galaxy phones tend to keep their value the longest. But the only way to know for sure is to get a specific quote. The quickest way to find out is by filling out the simple form on our website at https://www.exe.co.uk/#form for a fast, no-strings-attached valuation.

Is It Better to Trade It In or Just Sell It for Cash?

Trading in can feel easy, especially if you're buying a new phone from the same company. The catch? You'll almost always get store credit, not actual cash.

Selling it directly, particularly to a local specialist shop right here in Redhill, usually means more money in your hand. That cash is yours to spend on whatever you want, giving you complete freedom. Find out how much cash you could get by filling out our form at https://www.exe.co.uk/#form.

What if My Phone Has a Cracked Screen?

Don't just chuck it in a drawer! You can definitely still sell a phone with a cracked screen.

Naturally, it won't be worth as much as a phone in mint condition, but it still has value. We can give you an honest quote that reflects the damage. Just pop into our shop with it or give us the details using our online form at https://www.exe.co.uk/#form.


Ready to turn that old tech into cash? Here at EXE, we make the whole process straightforward and secure. Get your free, no-obligation quote today!