What’s My iPhone Worth? How to Get the Best Price When You Sell

By The Whiz Cells Team · Updated November 14, 2026

Two iPhones of the same model can be worth very different amounts. The price comes down to a handful of things you can check yourself in a few minutes. Here’s what drives the value, how we grade condition, and what you can do to get the most for your phone.

The 6 things that set your iPhone’s value

1. Model

Newer models are worth the most, and Pro and Pro Max models hold their value better than the standard versions. Values drop fastest right after Apple announces new iPhones each September, so if you’re upgrading anyway, selling before or right after the launch usually gets you more.

2. Storage

Higher storage means a higher offer. To check yours, go to Settings > General > About and look at Capacity. Pick the matching storage when you get your quote; choosing the wrong one is one of the most common reasons an offer changes after inspection.

3. Condition

This is the biggest factor. We use four condition grades, and every quote is based on the one you choose:

  • Excellent: looks brand new with no scratches, scuffs, or marks; fully working; all original parts; battery health above 85%. Fewer than 10% of phones we receive qualify.
  • Good: fully working with light signs of wear, such as a few light scratches you can’t feel with a fingernail; flawless display; original parts; battery above 85%.
  • Cracked Glass: fully working with original parts and a battery above 80%, but the front, back, or camera glass is cracked, or there are deep scratches or dents. The display itself works perfectly.
  • Broken: powers on, has all its parts, and has no water damage, but has problems such as screen burn or dead pixels, bad ports or battery, broken Face ID, or modified software. See selling a broken phone.

Be honest when you pick a grade. If the phone doesn’t match the condition you chose, we’ll send you a new offer, and you can accept it or have the phone returned.

4. Battery health

Go to Settings > Battery > Battery Health to see your maximum capacity. Above 85% keeps a phone eligible for Excellent or Good. Below 80% usually means a lower grade.

5. Carrier and lock status

Unlocked phones generally get the highest offers because they can be used on any network. Carrier-locked phones are still worth plenty; just choose the right carrier for your quote. Phones that aren’t paid off, or that have a bad ESN or IMEI, are worth less but can often still be sold. See selling a bad ESN or IMEI phone.

6. Original parts

Third-party screens or batteries lower the value, and iPhones flag non-genuine parts in Settings > General > About. If your phone has had a repair, mention it; it’s better than having the offer change later.

How to get the most money for your iPhone

  1. Sell sooner rather than later. iPhones lose value every month, and fastest around new launches.
  2. Clean it up. Wipe the screen and body and clear lint from the charging port. Clean phones are easier to grade fairly.
  3. Unlock it if it’s paid off. Your carrier can usually unlock a paid-off phone for free.
  4. Pick the right storage and carrier. Mismatches are the most common reason a quote changes.
  5. Sign out of your Apple Account first. A locked phone can’t be bought and delays your payment. Follow our iPhone prep checklist.
  6. Compare offers. Check a few buyers and look at reviews, not just the headline price. A high quote is only worth it if it holds up after inspection and gets paid quickly.

How our offers work

  • Your quote is instant and stays valid for 20 days, so you have time to back up and ship.
  • Shipping is free: we email you a prepaid label.
  • Payment by PayPal, check, instant bank transfer, gift card, or virtual Visa.
  • Standard payment processing is 48–72 hours after we receive your phone, or as little as 1 business day if you choose faster processing at checkout. Checks are mailed by USPS and take 7–10 days to arrive.

Check your iPhone’s value

Prices change often, so the fastest way to know what your phone is worth today is to get a quote for your exact model: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 15, iPhone 14, iPhone 13, or see every iPhone we buy.

More guides: How to prepare your iPhone · Where to sell your iPhone · Selling your iPhone safely