Best Practices for Repairing Your Phone Before Selling

Want to get the best possible price for your old phone?

Millions of smartphones are sold each year for far less than their true value. The simple reason? Sellers fail to make basic repairs that would increase their resale value by hundreds of dollars.

Here’s the good news…

With a smart cellphone repair strategy, you can unlock your phone’s full selling potential for a minimal investment. And in most cases, repairs will pay for themselves through a higher sale price.

Table of contents

• Why Phone Condition Impacts Resale Value
• The Repairs That Actually Matter
• Finding the Right Repair Partner
• Preparing Your Phone for Sale
• When Repair Isn’t Worth It
• Wrapping It All Up

Why Phone Condition Impacts Resale Value

Ok, let’s cut to the chase.

The used smartphone market reached an impressive $46.52 billion in 2024. That’s a huge pool of prospective buyers who are looking for phones in excellent condition.

Here’s the problem…

Buyers aren’t stupid. They know when they’re getting a deal, and when they’re about to be screwed over by a seller. And they will pay top dollar for devices that look and perform like new.

Put yourself in their shoes. Would you pay full price for a phone with a cracked screen? Would you even be willing to meet them halfway? Probably not.

That’s why the smartest sellers invest in cellphone repair before listing their device. A samsung authorized repair partner can return your gadget to near-mint condition. Which means top dollar when it comes time to sell.

The math is easy. Spend a little time and money on repairs and earn significantly more money when you sell.

The Repairs That Actually Matter

Not all repairs are created equal.

Some fixes will skyrocket your phone’s value. Other repairs? They’re a complete waste of money. Here’s the ones you need to focus on…

Screen Replacement

This one is huge.

A staggering 41% of smartphone owners have experienced screen damage at one point. Screen cracks account for 29% of all smartphone repairs making it the number one issue to fix.

If a cracked screen is the first thing that a potential buyer sees, then the chances of making a sale go down immediately. The whole “this was well taken care of” feeling goes away as soon as they spot the cracked glass.

Screen repair costs can range from 100-300 dollars depending on the model. But here’s the real kicker… A perfect screen can get you 200-400 dollars more than a cracked one.

Do the math. Screen repairs usually pay for themselves many times over.

Battery Health

Ah, now this is one that most sellers don’t take into account…

Battery degradation is a silent killer when it comes to keeping your phone value high. Who wants to buy a phone that can barely last a day? If your battery health is below 80% you need to replace it.

Battery problems represent 12% of all smartphone repairs. Simply replacing the battery will signal to a buyer that this phone has many more years left in it.

Battery replacements cost around 50-100 dollars for most devices. The value increase can be twice that amount.

Charging Port and Buttons

Small problems = big doubts.

Buyers notice every little imperfection. Sticky buttons or a loose charging port is a signal to a buyer that there might be other issues lurking under the hood. A finicky USB port? A battery with a short life cycle? A camera that won’t focus? Who knows?

Fixing these little niggles can go a long way to building up buyer confidence in your phone. Clean functioning hardware equals buyer confidence equals better offers.

Finding the Right Repair Partner

Where you get repairs done is just as important as what you get repaired.

You have three main options for cellphone repair…

Manufacturer Authorized Centres – Uses genuine parts and trained technicians. Repairs cost more but are backed by warranties. This is often the best option for newer phones or premium models.

Third-Party Repair Shops – Local shops often have lower prices and faster turnaround times. Quality is inconsistent though. Look for reviews before entrusting them with your device.

DIY Repairs – Feasible for some simple fixes but very risky. One wrong move can do more damage and void any warranty left on the phone. Not recommended for the inexperienced.

For the best resale value, use authorized repair partners whenever possible. Buyers feel more comfortable buying phones that have been professionally serviced with original parts.

Preparing Your Phone for Sale

Repairing your phone is only part of the battle.

Before you list your phone for sale, you need to prepare it properly. Here’s a quick checklist of final steps to take…

Backup Everything – Photos, contacts, messages, etc. Once you wipe your phone, it’s gone forever. So make sure you have a full backup.

Factory Reset – Once everything is backed up, wipe all personal data. Perform a full factory reset through the settings menu. This protects your privacy and gives the buyer a clean slate.

Clean It Properly – A microfiber cloth and a cleaning solution is all you need. Don’t forget ports and speaker grilles. A clean phone photographs better and impresses buyers more.

Include Original Accessories – Original box, charger, and cables add value. Buyers love a complete package.

Take Quality Photos – Photograph the device from multiple angles. Good lighting, clear shots. Highlight the care you have taken to maintain its condition.

When Repair Isn’t Worth It

Ok, let’s not mince words about this…

Not every phone is a candidate for repair before selling. Here’s a simple rule of thumb.

If the repair cost exceeds 50% of your phone’s current resale value, then it’s probably better to sell as-is or trade-in for parts. Some old phones just aren’t worth the investment.

Use sites like Swappa or eBay to get a sense of current resale values before making a decision. Know what your phone is actually worth in perfect condition, then work backwards from there.

Wrapping It All Up

Repairing your phone before selling it is one of the smartest things you can do.

The used smartphone market is huge and buyers are willing to pay premium prices for devices in excellent condition. A few basic repairs can mean the difference between a decent offer and a great one.

Here’s a quick recap…

• Start with screen repairs as they have the most impact
• Replace degraded batteries to show a phone has life left
• Fix small issues that raise doubts
• Always use authorized repair partners
• Properly prepare your device before listing

The time and money you put into repairs will pay off when the buyers start making offers. And that’s not just smart selling… That’s the way to actually get what your phone is worth.