Where to Sell a Broken Phone in the UK (Cracked or Water-Damaged)

So your phone screen is cracked, the charging port has stopped working, or it took an unexpected swim and is now showing signs of water damage. Your first instinct might be that it’s worthless — but that’s almost certainly not the case. In the UK, broken and faulty phones are bought and sold every day, often for surprisingly decent amounts of cash. This guide explains where to sell a broken phone, what it might be worth, and what to expect from the process.

Yes, You Can Still Get Cash for a Broken Phone

Broken phones have real value — for two main reasons. First, many faults (cracked screens, dead batteries, broken cameras) are entirely repairable. A refurbishment specialist can fix a cracked iPhone screen for a fraction of the retail price and sell the device on. Second, even phones that can’t be economically repaired contain valuable components — screens, batteries, cameras, chassis parts and precious metals — that are harvested and reused in the repair trade or recycled through professional streams.

What Counts as a “Broken” or “Faulty” Phone?

Common faults we see — and still buy — include:

• Cracked or shattered screen — one of the most common faults; still very buyable, especially on premium models
• Broken LCD / dead pixels / display bleed — screen still on but damaged display
• Faulty charging port — won’t charge via cable (wireless charging may still work)
• Dead/swollen battery — powers on but battery life is severely degraded or device won’t stay on
• Water damage — may or may not still power on; often repairable if caught early
• Broken Face ID or Touch ID — biometric sensor failure
• Broken rear or front camera — camera doesn’t work or produces distorted images
• Bent or cracked chassis — structural damage to the body
• Software fault / stuck on logo — won’t fully boot but hardware is intact
• Won’t power on at all — completely unresponsive; still has parts value

Where Are the Best Places to Sell a Broken Phone in the UK?

1. Phone Buyback Services (Best for Speed & Convenience)

Dedicated phone buyback services like sellmyphones.co.uk/ specifically cater to faulty and broken devices. You describe the fault, receive an instant cash quote, post the device free with full insurance, and get paid the same day it arrives. There's no need to photograph the damage, write a listing, respond to buyer questions or worry about returns. For most people, this is the easiest and most reliable route — particularly for popular models like iPhones and Samsung Galaxy handsets.

2. eBay (Higher Potential Price, More Hassle)

Selling a broken phone on eBay can achieve a higher price than a buyback service, because you’re selling directly to repair shops or parts buyers rather than to an intermediary. However, you’ll pay eBay’s selling fees, you need to carefully document the fault with photos, and you risk disputes from buyers. It’s more work and less certainty, but can be worth it for high-value flagship models.

3. Local Phone Repair Shops

Some local repair shops buy broken phones as a source of parts stock. Prices vary widely and you’ll need to visit in person, but for a phone with a very simple fault (like a cracked screen on a current-generation iPhone), a local shop may offer a reasonable price.

How We Assess Broken Phone Value at sellmyphones.co.uk/

When you describe your phone as faulty or broken on our quote tool, we assess value based on:

• The model — A broken iPhone 15 Pro has significantly more parts value than a broken mid-range Android
• The nature of the fault — A cracked screen is more recoverable than total water submersion
• Whether the phone powers on — Working but broken phones are worth more than completely non-responsive ones
• The storage and spec — Higher-spec devices retain more value even when faulty

Tips for Selling a Broken Phone

• Be completely honest about the fault — Accuracy at quote stage ensures the price holds on inspection. Exaggerating the condition will lead to a revised lower offer.
• Try to back up data before selling — If the phone still powers on, back up your photos and data first.
• Remove the SIM card — Even if the phone is broken, retrieve your SIM before posting.
• Don’t wait too long — Phone parts values also depreciate over time. A broken phone that fetches £120 today might only fetch £80 next year.
• Disable Find My / Google lock — If possible, sign out of your Apple ID or Google account before sending. This maximises the value we can offer.

Ready to find out what your broken phone is worth? Check our iPhone prices or Android phone prices now.