The short answer
The most cash usually comes from selling privately, then from comparing several online buyers on the day, then from a shop or trade-in. But the highest price is not always the best deal: you also need to be paid, quickly, at the price you were quoted. In one comparison article the same iPhone 15 128GB was quoted at about £420 to £450 by postal buyers and about £520 on eBay (Household Money Saving, page last modified 7 June 2026), so a few minutes of comparing can be worth £100 or more.
Where you can sell, compared
- Private sale (eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree): usually the highest price, but it takes days, you handle questions and returns, and some buyers do not pay.
- Online phone buyers (by post): fast and simple, paid in a few days. Prices vary by model, and some buyers can change the quote after inspection.
- High street shops and trade-in: instant cash or credit, usually the lowest price, with a fixed price per model and grade.
- Local buyer with doorstep collection: we collect in Brighton and Sussex, check the phone with you and pay on the spot.
How to get the highest price for your phone
- Get at least three quotes for the same model, storage and condition, and note whether each is cash or voucher
- Grade your phone honestly: screen, back, frame and battery health (Settings, then Battery, then Battery Health on iPhone)
- Check the quote is held or can change after inspection, and how fast you are paid
- Sell before a new model launches, when older phones lose value fastest
- Include the box, charger and any accessories if you have them
- Back up, sign out of iCloud or your Google account, switch off Find My, and factory reset before you hand it over
Where 3DS Mobile Direct fits
We do not claim to pay the most for every phone, because prices move daily. What we offer: doorstep collection across Sussex where we check the phone and pay you on the spot, a held price if the phone matches your description and photos, same-day payment by post once received plus an extra £15, and a free postage label from anywhere in the UK. If you show us a valid written quote from another UK buyer, we beat it by £5 whenever our price allows it. See how we compare to CeX or start with selling your iPhone or your Samsung.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to sell my phone for the most money?
There is no single best place. A private sale on eBay or Facebook Marketplace usually pays the most but takes longest and carries the risk of non-paying buyers. Online buyers pay quickly but their prices vary by model and day, so compare at least three quotes for the same model, storage and condition.
Who is the highest paying phone buyer?
It changes by model and week. One buyer can be top for an iPhone 15 and well behind for a Galaxy S23. That is why you should compare the same phone with several buyers on the day you sell.
Is cash better than a voucher?
Cash is flexible. Some buyers pay slightly more as a voucher or gift card, but that only helps if you will spend it with that retailer. Always check whether a quote is cash or credit.
Can the price change after I send my phone?
With many online buyers it can, if their inspection grades the phone lower than you described. Ask whether the quote is held, and describe the screen, back and battery honestly with photos.
When is the best time to sell my phone?
Sooner rather than later. In an example reported by the Yorkshire Post from musicMagpie data, iPhones lost about 46% of their value in the first year, and values often drop when a new model launches.
Can I sell a broken or cracked phone?
Yes. Many buyers, including us, will make an offer on cracked or faulty phones. Message the model and what is wrong, or see our page on selling a broken phone.
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