Compare mobile trade-in prices UK 2026
Trading in your mobile phone gets you cash or credit towards a new device. But the price you receive varies enormously depending on where you trade in. Here is a complete comparison of every option available in the UK in 2026.
Your trade-in options in the UK
Independent recyclers — usually best for cash
Independent UK recyclers (ur.co.uk, musicMagpie, Mazuma, Envirofone) pay cash directly to your bank account or PayPal. No strings, no credit tied to a retailer.
Prices change daily and vary significantly between recyclers — the gap for the same phone can be £50–£130. GadgetRank compares 30+ independent recyclers simultaneously with live prices.
Best for: Maximum cash value, flexibility.
Compare independent recycler prices →
Network trade-in programmes — convenient but lower value
EE, O2, Vodafone and Three all offer trade-in against a new contract or device. The process is simple but prices are almost always lower than independent recyclers.
Example: iPhone 15 Pro (128GB, good condition)
- Best independent recycler (July 2026): £350
- Typical network trade-in credit: £220–£260
The network trade-in is only worth using if the credit applies immediately to a device you were already going to buy from that network, and even then, comparing the cash value first is worth the two minutes.
Retailer trade-in — Apple, Samsung, Currys
Apple Trade In, Samsung Trade In and Currys all offer trade-in programmes. Like network programmes, these pay in store credit rather than cash and consistently offer less than independent recyclers.
Apple Trade In (July 2026):
- iPhone 15 Pro 128GB: approximately £240–£280 Apple credit
- Best independent recycler for same device: £350
The gap is real and significant. Apple Trade In is only worth considering if you are buying a new Apple product at the same moment and want the simplest possible process.
CEX — instant cash in store
CEX offers immediate cash or store credit in their retail stores. No posting, no waiting — they test and pay on the spot.
The tradeoff is price — CEX typically pays 20–30% below the best independent recycler. For an iPhone 15 Pro, that is £70–£100 less than the best online offer.
Best for: People who want cash in hand immediately and are near a CEX store.
Which trade-in option pays the most?
For pure cash value: independent recyclers always win. The comparison takes 60 seconds on GadgetRank and finds the highest current offer across 30+ buyers.
For convenience without maximising value: CEX (immediate, in person) or a network trade-in (bundled with new contract).
Current mobile trade-in prices — July 2026
Best independent recycler prices for popular models:
iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB (good): up to £780
iPhone 16 Pro 128GB (good): up to £550
iPhone 15 (128GB, good): up to £240
Galaxy S25 Ultra 256GB (good): up to £680
Galaxy S24 128GB (good): up to £295
Pixel 9 Pro 128GB (good): up to £370
Compare trade-in prices for your phone →
How to get the best mobile trade-in price
Compare independent recyclers first — always. The difference between best and worst for the same phone is real money.
Sign out of accounts before trading in — iCloud for iPhone, Samsung/Google account for Android. An account-locked device has zero trade-in value with any buyer.
Be accurate about condition — all trade-in buyers inspect on arrival. Overstating condition leads to a revised offer and delays.
Trade in before new model launches — prices drop 15–25% when Apple or Samsung announces the next generation. July and August are strong months for current models.
According to Ofcom's consumer guidance, always compare multiple options before committing to any trade-in offer.
Compare all mobile trade-in prices now →