Selling a used phone looks simple — right up until you have to answer the question of what it's actually worth. Listed prices for the same model can differ by dozens of euros, and the gap between the price you hoped for and the one you actually get can be an unpleasant surprise. We've been working with phones since 2004, and a great many bought-back devices have passed through our shop in New Belgrade, so we know this subject first-hand — from the seller's side and the buyer's side alike. In this guide, we explain what really determines a phone's buyback price, how to prepare your device for sale, and which mistakes cost sellers the most.
Which phones we buy
The strongest demand — and therefore the best buyback prices — follows two brands. First comes iPhone buyback: Apple devices hold their value longer than any other, and there is always a buyer for them. Right behind is Samsung buyback, above all the Galaxy S and newer A series. Alongside them, we also buy Xiaomi, Honor and Motorola devices.
Two categories deserve a special note. The first is faulty devices — a phone with a broken screen, damaged back glass or one that won't turn on still has real value, something we covered in detail in our guide to selling a faulty phone. The second is old and collectible models: through our retro phone buyback, we look for well-preserved classics that are worth more today than most owners assume.
Our buyback focuses on recent generations, because that is where real onward demand exists — the current cut-off for each brand is always listed on our buyback pages. If you're on the borderline or simply not sure, the fastest option is to call us — you get an answer right away.
What determines a phone's buyback price
A buyback price is not an arbitrary number — it is the sum of several measurable factors. Once you know what is being assessed, you also know where you can influence the final amount.
Model and generation. The single biggest factor. A phone loses value fastest in the weeks after the next generation of the same model launches — the market floods with devices from people upgrading, while demand for the old model drops.
Storage capacity. The difference between the base and higher storage options exists with used devices too, although it is smaller than with new ones. Check your device's exact storage before asking for an estimate — it is the first thing any serious buyer will ask.
Battery condition. On iPhones, the decisive figure is the Battery Health percentage (Settings → Battery → Battery Health & Charging). On Samsung devices, we look at the number of charge cycles and how the battery behaves in practice. A battery near the end of its life means the buyer has to factor in the cost of replacing it — and that comes straight off the buyback price.
Cosmetic condition. Scratches on the screen, dents on the frame, cracked back glass or damaged camera glass — each of these carries its own deduction, because each one is a cost of bringing the device back to sellable condition.
Functionality. Face ID, front and rear cameras, speakers, microphones, charging, touch responsiveness. A fully functional device always fetches a noticeably better price than one with even a single fault.
Completeness. The original box and receipt raise the value and speed up the onward sale. With Samsung devices, the realistic expectation is the box or a fiscal receipt plus a USB cable — a charger and headphones are not expected, since manufacturers haven't packed them with phones for years.
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How quickly phones lose value
Understanding how depreciation works is half the job of deciding when to sell. A phone loses the largest share of its value in the first year — that is the price of going from "new" to "used", and there is nothing you can do about it. After that, the decline is not smooth but stepped: the price holds relatively steady for months, then drops sharply when a new generation launches, when retailers heavily discount the new model, or when software support for an older series ends.
The practical consequence: two identical phones, in identical condition, sold just a few months apart can fetch noticeably different prices — not because the device changed, but because the market around it did. Apple devices generally hold their value longer and more predictably, which is one reason demand for used iPhones is consistently the highest. And if your phone is already sitting in a drawer as a backup, every month of waiting is a quiet loss — an unused device doesn't preserve its value, it just loses it more slowly than you think.
Seven tips to get the best price
1. Send accurate details up front. Model, exact storage, battery health percentage and an honest description of the condition — with this information, you get a precise preliminary estimate before you arrive, with no unpleasant corrections on the spot.
2. Don't repair the phone before selling it. This is the mistake we see most often. Money spent on a screen or battery replacement right before a sale almost never comes back through a higher buyback price — as a repair shop, we fix the device at the cost of parts and labour, which is lower than what you would pay. Bring the phone as it is; we'll price the difference fairly.
3. Keep the box and the receipt. A small thing people forget years in advance that makes a difference on the day of the sale. If you're buying a new phone today, put the box away — your future self will thank you.
4. Time the sale. If you're planning to upgrade, sell your phone before the successor launches, not after. The price difference between "a week before" and "a month after" a new generation arrives can be larger than any other item on this list.
5. Prepare the device visually. A clean, wiped-down phone with no traces of daily use makes a better first impression at assessment. It doesn't change the technical condition, but it confirms the device has been looked after.
6. Compare actual payouts, not listings. The price in someone else's ad is a wished-for price, not an achieved one. The real comparison is: how much money do you concretely receive, today, in hand.
7. Be honest about the flaws. Every flaw shows up during inspection anyway. An honest description up front means the preliminary estimate stays valid and the whole process takes less time.
How buyback works at our shop
We've reduced the process to four simple steps, with no hidden conditions.
Step one: get in touch. Call 065/362-61-31 and tell us the model, storage, battery condition and a description of the device. Based on that, you get a preliminary estimate right away.
Step two: visit us. The shop is at Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, apartment 3, in New Belgrade — Block 24, with the entrance from Španskih boraca Street, by the Stena restaurant, in the direction of the Super Vero supermarket. Note: the neighbouring building at number 93 has an identical façade and mix-ups are common — our entrance (number 91) is the next one after the Moj kiosk newsstand.
Step three: device inspection. The check takes ten to fifteen minutes and is done in front of you — we test exactly the items described above, with no hidden tests and no excuses after the fact.
Step four: agreement and payment. If the description matches the actual condition, the preliminary estimate becomes the final price, and payment follows immediately — in cash or by bank transfer, whichever suits you.
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Buyback or selling it yourself?
An honest question deserves an honest answer: through classified ads, you can sometimes get more — if you have the time. Selling on your own means photographing the device, writing the ad, answering messages, haggling over the "final price", scheduling meetings and risking that the buyer simply doesn't show up. For a sought-after recent model, that effort can pay off; for older models, weeks of waiting often eat up any difference in price.
Buyback is the opposite end of the same scale: the price is known up front, the transaction is completed the same day, and there is no uncertainty. Plenty of people come to us precisely after a few weeks of trying on their own — both options are legitimate; the difference is how much your time is worth.
Frequently asked questions about selling your phone
Do you buy faulty phones?
Yes. A broken screen, damaged back glass or a device that won't turn on doesn't mean the phone has no value — the parts still do. We wrote about this in detail in our guide to selling a faulty phone.
Should I replace a broken screen before selling?
No. It is the most common and most expensive mistake sellers make. The replacement cost you would pay as a private individual is, as a rule, higher than the deduction we would apply for a broken screen — because we pay for the part and the labour at service prices, not retail ones. Bring the device as it is.
How do I prepare my phone for sale?
First, back up your data. On an iPhone, then turn off Stolen Device Protection and Find My iPhone and sign out of your iCloud account — without that, the device cannot change owners. On Samsung and other Android devices, remove the Google account before doing a factory reset. If you're not sure how, we'll help you on the spot.
Do you buy phones without the box and accessories?
Yes. The box, receipt and original accessories raise the price, but they are not a condition for buyback. For Samsung devices, the box or a fiscal receipt plus a USB cable is enough.
How long does the assessment take, and when do I get the money?
The inspection takes ten to fifteen minutes and is done in front of you. If you agree with the final price, payment is immediate — in cash or by bank transfer — and you leave the shop with a completed sale, not a promise.
What are the oldest models you buy?
Our focus is on recent generations — the exact current cut-offs for each brand are listed on our buyback pages. Well-preserved classics are a separate story: we look for those through our retro phone buyback, where age isn't a flaw but a value.
Is the phone estimate binding?
The preliminary estimate stands as long as the description matches the device's actual condition. If you were accurate in your description, the price doesn't change at inspection — which is why an honest description up front is in your own interest.
What if we don't agree on the price?
Nothing happens — the assessment is free and doesn't oblige you to anything. If the offered price doesn't work for you, you take your phone and owe nothing. Some people first check our offer, then try selling on their own, then come back — and that's perfectly fine.
Sell your phone without the hassle
If you want to know what your phone is realistically worth today, the answer is one call away. Call now: 065/362-61-31 or visit our phone buyback page for up-to-date information by model. You'll find us in New Belgrade — Bulevar Arsenija Čarnojevića 91, apartment 3, entrance from Španskih boraca Street.