New launches and Black Friday make this the busiest time for upgrades, and many retailers run trade-in offers alongside them. Trading in your old phone can lower the price of your next one, but you only get a good value if the phone is in good shape and you prepare it properly. Before you hand it over, take a moment to protect your information.
First, back up your photos, contacts and chats, then sign out of your Google, Samsung or Apple account so the phone isn’t locked to you. Remove your SIM and memory card, then do a factory reset. Keep the box, charger and proof of purchase if you still have them, and note any scratches or battery problems, because the condition and battery health affect what you are offered.
Get more than one quote before you decide, and compare a trade-in with selling the phone yourself. Selling privately can bring in more, but it carries the risk of scams, so meet in a safe place and never accept a payment you can’t confirm. Remember, though, that a trade-in discount only helps if the new phone’s price and contract are fair, so look at the whole deal.