Mobile Phone Buyback — Everything You Need to Know Before You Sell Your Phone
Mobile phone buyback is the fastest and safest way to turn your old device into cash — with no waiting for buyers on classified ads, no haggling and no risk of fraud. At the Viper Mobile shop in New Belgrade we have been buying iPhone and Samsung phones since 2004, which means we have been in this business for more than two decades. In that time we have seen thousands of devices and developed a clear, transparent assessment system that saves your time and guarantees a fair price.
This guide was written to explain to you exactly how phone buyback works with us — which models we buy, what the testing procedure looks like, what affects the price, and how to prepare to get the maximum amount. Whether you are switching phones, need funds for a new device, or simply have a drawer full of old phones, here you will find all the information in one place.
If you already know what you want — see our phone buyback page or call 065/362-61-31 for a quick assessment.
Which phone models we buy in 2026
First of all, it is important to understand that we do not buy all phones. The market is constantly changing, the value of older models drops rapidly, and demand for certain brands and series varies from month to month. Our focus is on devices that have a real market value and for which there is stable demand.
iPhone models we buy:
- iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max
- iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max
- iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max
- iPhone 16, 16 Plus, 16 Pro, 16 Pro Max
- iPhone 17 series (all models)
The most sought-after models at the moment are the iPhone 16 and iPhone 17 series — for them we also offer the highest prices because demand on the market is enormous.
Samsung models we buy:
- Samsung Galaxy S21, S21+, S21 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S22, S22+, S22 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S23, S23+, S23 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S24, S24+, S24 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S25, S25+, S25 Ultra
- Samsung Galaxy S26 series
- Samsung Galaxy A series — A34 and newer (A34, A35, A54, A55 and up)
With Samsung, the most sought-after models in 2026 are the S25 and S26 series.
What we do NOT buy:
- iPhone 12 and older models (their value is too low for buyback)
- Samsung models below the S21 series
- Huawei phones (with rare exceptions)
- Xiaomi phones (except flagship models, by arrangement)
- Water-damaged phones — without exception
- Phones of unknown origin or without the ability to sign out of the account
If you are not sure whether we buy your model, the quickest thing is to call 065/362-61-31 and check.
What the buyback procedure looks like — step by step
Transparency is the foundation of any fair mobile phone buyback. That is why we want you to know exactly what awaits you when you come to us or contact us.
Step 1: Contact and initial assessment
Reach out to us by phone, message or email (info@viper.rs) and tell us which phone model you have, what condition it is in, and whether you have the original accessories. Based on that information we give a rough estimate of the value — that is not the final price, but it gives you a clear picture of the range you are in.
Step 2: Bringing the phone in for testing
You bring the phone to the address: Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, Apt 3, New Belgrade. Working hours for buyback are Mon-Fri 09-17h and Saturdays 10-15h. You do not have to book — but if you want to make sure we are expecting you, a call in advance is always a good idea.
Step 3: Testing the device (10-20 minutes)
This is the key part of the process. Our technician inspects the phone and tests:
- The screen — whether it has dead pixels, burn-in (on OLED), shadows, yellow tones
- The battery — battery health (the battery health percentage), how many charge cycles it has
- The cameras — front and rear, autofocus, OIS stabilization
- The speakers and microphones — the call speaker, the speakerphone, the recording microphone
- The sensors — Face ID / Touch ID, accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor
- The ports — charging (Lightning or USB-C), wireless charging
- The housing — scratches, dents, cracks on the back cover, the condition of the frames
The whole process takes between 10 and 20 minutes — no longer. We will not keep you for hours.
Step 4: The final offer
Based on the testing you get the final price. If it suits you — payment is on the spot, in cash or to your account. If it does not suit you — feel free to take your phone back, with no obligation whatsoever.
It is important to emphasize: we do not ask you for any deposit, we do not keep the phone without your consent, and we do not pressure you to accept the offer.
Need phone repair?
What affects a phone's buyback price — factors you must know
One of the most common uncertainties when it comes to mobile phone buyback is: "Why was I offered less than my neighbor for the same model?" The answer lies in the fact that the same model does not mean the same condition. There is a series of factors that directly affect the price, and understanding those factors helps you get the maximum amount.
1. The physical condition of the device
This is the most obvious factor. A phone without a single scratch, with a clean screen and an undamaged housing is worth significantly more than a phone with visible signs of use. Deep scratches on the screen, dents on the frame, or cracked glass on the back cover — all of that reduces the value.
One practical tip: if you have had a screen protector and a case on the phone from day one, your phone will look almost like new and you will get a considerably better price.
2. Battery health
On the iPhone, the battery health percentage is exact and easily measurable. A phone with 90%+ battery health is worth more than a phone with 78%. With Samsung the situation is similar, although the measurement is less precise at the user level — we have diagnostic tools that give an accurate picture.
Why is the battery so important? Because a battery replacement costs money — and that cost is subtracted from the buyback value. If you want to know how much a battery replacement costs before selling, see our price list.
3. Memory capacity
A simple rule applies here: more capacity = a higher price. An iPhone with 256GB is worth noticeably more than the same model with 128GB. With 512GB and 1TB variants the difference is even more pronounced, because those models are rarer on the market.
4. Color and the popularity of the variant
Many people do not know this, but the color of the phone affects the price. Certain colors are more sought-after — for example, "natural" colors (black, white, graphite) have a wider base of buyers than specific colors such as purple or green. The difference is not drastic, but it exists.
5. Completeness of the accessories
The original box, the receipt and the warranty raise the value of the phone. With Samsung, original accessories today mean only a USB cable with the box — for 5+ years Samsung has not packed a charger or earphones in the box. So, do not worry if you do not have a charger for a Samsung — that is completely normal.
With the iPhone, the box with the serial number and the original Lightning or USB-C cable are what we look for.
6. Whether the phone is unlocked
Phones that are tied to a foreign carrier (carrier lock) have a lower value or we cannot buy them. Unlocked phones bought in Serbia or factory-unlocked models from abroad — that is what we look for.
The most common mistakes people make when selling a phone
Through twenty years of mobile phone buyback we have seen practically every possible situation. Here are the mistakes that recur most often — and how you can avoid them.
Mistake #1: Waiting for the price to "rise"
Phones are not wine — they do not mature. Every day that passes, your phone loses value. When a new generation comes out (e.g. the iPhone 17 replaces the iPhone 16 as the leading model), the price drop of the previous generation is immediate and significant. If you are planning to sell your phone, the best time is always — now.
Mistake #2: Replacing the screen before selling a phone with broken glass
This is an extremely common misconception. People think that by replacing the screen for 10,000-15,000 dinars they will get a 15,000-20,000 dinars higher buyback price. In practice, that rarely pays off. We buy phones with a broken screen — in the condition they are in. Our technician will assess the value and offer a fair price, taking into account the cost of the repair, which we as a shop have at a considerably lower price than you as an end user. Do not invest money in repairing a phone you intend to sell.
Mistake #3: Erasing everything before coming in
Do not reset the phone before you come in — and especially do not sign out of the Apple/Google account before we finish the testing. The phone needs to be functional and signed in so that we can fully test it. Signing out of the account is the last step, which we do together with you on the spot.
Mistake #4: Unrealistic expectations based on classified ads
Prices on KupujemProdajem classified ads are the prices people ask for — not the prices at which phones are sold. An ad can sit for months at 80,000 dinars, and the phone ends up being sold for 60,000. We offer a realistic market price with immediate payment, with no waiting, risk or haggling. That has its value.
Mistake #5: Trying to sell a water-damaged phone
We have to be completely transparent: we do not buy water-damaged phones. Even if the phone "works normally" after contact with water, liquid damage is progressive and unpredictable. Corrosion spreads over the days and weeks after the incident. This is not arbitrary on our part — we simply cannot guarantee the reliability of such a device.
iPhone buyback vs Samsung buyback — differences in practice
There are several key differences between buying iPhone and Samsung devices that are useful to know before you come to us.
Value retention
iPhone phones generally hold their value better over time. An iPhone 14 Pro bought in 2023 still has a solid buyback value today, in 2026. A Samsung S22 Ultra from the same period has lost more percentage-wise. That does not mean Samsung phones are not worth buying — on the contrary, demand for Samsung flagship models is high. But if you compare the percentage of retained value, the iPhone is more consistent.
Accessories and completeness
As we mentioned, Samsung phones come only with a USB cable and a box. If you have the original cable and the box with the receipt — that is the set. With the iPhone, the complete package includes the box, the cable, the papers and possibly the original receipt.
Testing specifics
With the iPhone we test Face ID especially carefully — it is a component that cannot be easily replaced and whose functionality directly affects the price. With Samsung, we pay attention to the condition of the AMOLED panel (burn-in effects are common on older models) and the functionality of the S Pen on Ultra models.
If you have an iPhone to sell, you can find detailed information on our iPhone buyback page. For Samsung models, visit our main buyback page.
Need phone repair?
How to prepare for buyback — a practical checklist
To maximize the price and speed up the process, here is a concrete list of things to do before coming in:
Before coming in:
- Make a backup of all your data (iCloud, Google Drive, or to a computer)
- Check the battery health (Settings > Battery on the iPhone)
- Find the original box, cable and receipt if you have them
- Remove the protective case so we can inspect the housing
- Leave the screen protector on the screen — we will remove it during the inspection if needed
- Do NOT reset the phone and do NOT sign out of the account before coming in
When you come in:
- Testing takes 10-20 minutes
- You get the final offer immediately after the testing
- Payment is on the spot — cash or transfer to an account
- Signing out of the account (Apple ID, Google account) we do together, at the end of the process
- If the offer does not suit you — you take the phone back, with no obligation
A note about the courier service:
For phone buyback we do not send a courier to pick up the device. The courier service (1,500 RSD for Belgrade) is reserved exclusively for new, unopened items with a receipt, and only after a prior arrangement. For the buyback of used phones, you need to come in person — because we have to physically inspect and test the phone.
Why buyback at a specialized shop, and not via classified ads
Many people wonder why they would sell a phone to a shop instead of advertising it themselves online. We understand that thinking — at first glance it seems you will get more yourself. But let us look at the bigger picture.
Time. The average ad for a used phone sits for 2-4 weeks before it sells. During that time your phone loses value, you reply to messages, arrange meetings with potential buyers who often do not show up, and spend energy on haggling.
Safety. Selling a phone to a stranger carries risk — fake banknotes, "check if the SIM works" scams, thefts at meetings. With us you are in the protected environment of a specialized shop that has existed at the same address since 2004.
Simplicity. With us the whole process is done in 30 minutes — from arrival to payment. No ads, no waiting, no stress.
A fair price. Yes, you may ask 5,000-10,000 dinars more on a classified ad. But when you subtract the waiting time, the loss of value during that wait, and the risk — the difference is minimal or nonexistent.
If you want to check the current prices of our services, see the price list. And for all additional information about the Viper Mobile shop, visit our home page.
Frequently asked questions
How long does testing the phone take during buyback?
Testing takes between 10 and 20 minutes. Our technician inspects the screen, battery, cameras, sensors, ports and housing. Immediately after the testing you get the final offer with a price. The whole process from arrival to payment rarely takes longer than half an hour.
Do you buy phones with a broken screen?
Yes, we buy phones with a broken screen — in the condition they are in. We do not recommend replacing the screen yourself before selling, because in most cases that investment does not pay off. Our technician will assess the value of the phone taking into account the cost of the repair we as a shop have, and offer you a fair price.
Which models do you NOT buy?
We do not buy iPhone 12 and older models, Samsung phones below the S21 series, Huawei devices (with rare exceptions), and most Xiaomi phones (except flagship models). We also do not buy water-damaged phones, regardless of the model and condition.
Can I send my phone by courier for buyback?
No, for the buyback of used phones it is not possible to send the device by courier. We have to physically inspect and test the phone, and that is only possible in person at our shop at Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, Apt 3, New Belgrade. The courier service is available exclusively for new, unopened items with a receipt.
Should I reset the phone before coming in?
No — do not reset the phone or sign out of your Apple ID or Google account before coming in. We need the phone to be functional and signed in so that we can fully test all functions. Signing out of the account we do together with you, as the last step, after we have agreed on the price.
How is payment made?
Payment is on the spot, immediately after we reach an agreement. You can choose cash or a transfer to a dinar current account. There is no waiting and no deferred payment.
Is it important that I have the original box and accessories?
It is not mandatory, but it is desirable. The original box, cable and receipt raise the buyback value of the phone because they make the package complete. With Samsung, original accessories are only a USB cable (Samsung has not packed a charger and earphones for more than five years), so do not worry if you do not have a charger — that is the standard.
Conclusion — sell your phone quickly, safely and at a fair price
Mobile phone buyback at a specialized shop is the simplest way to get cash for your old device without complications. At Viper Mobile in New Belgrade we do buyback of iPhone and Samsung phones every working day from 09 to 17h and Saturdays from 10 to 15h. The process is transparent, testing takes at most 20 minutes, and payment is immediate.
Whether you have an iPhone 13 you no longer use, a Samsung S24 you want to swap for a newer model, or you simply want to know how much your phone is worth — get in touch.
Call 065/362-61-31 for a quick assessment or come in person to the address Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, Apt 3, New Belgrade. You can also write to us at info@viper.rs.