Do you keep or sell/trade in your old iPhones when you get a new one?

[xxray]

Just curious about this. I usually get an iPhone, use it for two years, then keep it when I get a new one. I like having backup phones, but I'm thinking about selling this 7 next time I upgrade to save some money.

What do you do with your old iPhones?

 

[akash.nu]

That depends. Previously I used to keep it as a backup but this year I’m on old tech selling spree. Sold everything I don’t need in the house. Still selling loads.

 

[Vundu]

My wife has my old iPhones every time I update and my daughter gets my wife’s.

 

[Dave245]

I either pass it down to a family member or sell it. I’ll probably be selling my 7 Plus after I find out which delivery date I get for the iPhone X.

 

[staggerlee41]

It depends on whether or not someone needs a phone, so I either hand one down to a family member or trade it in for credit towards the new one. I went with other since I either trade in or pass along the older device.

 

[Mark Kappert]

Previously I always sell my iPhones before the Keynote. This because from that point I am able to get the most money for my iPhone. Also I have an iPhone 6 as a backup phone, so when I sold my iPhone I use that one.

 

[Bazooka-joe]

I trade mine in once i have my new phone

 

[webbuzz]

Keep the old one and use it as a backup.

 

[KingslayerG5]

I usually sell my older phones but planning to use my current phones as long as I can until they breakdown and never turn on again even after a battery replacement. That's why my LG G5 and V20 are two of my favorite phones of all-time. Last flagships to offer removable.

It's Kim Kardashian-West using a BlackBerry Bold 9900 (2011) and Donald Trump using a Samsung Galaxy S3 (2012) for a half decade that made me rethink and become more practical and not fall for the trap of planned obsolescence and piling up the e-waste.

I have an uncle who uses an old monochrome Nokia from 2002 that's smaller than the 3310. Still works and perfectly happy with it. Kim and Donald of all people making me think not to be such a phone wh0re. Kim is more loyal to BlackBerry than black men.

Really does get annoying having too many phones while needing to transfer files from one to the next. All that clutter and tangled phone chargers. Most tech sites and YouTube reviewers are there to entice you to buy the new one.

Best display ever. Best camera ever. Best iPhone ever. Best Android phone ever. Every year, that's what they will proclaim no matter how incremental it is. Not like newer car models get worse either. All hype just to have that annual honeymoon phase feeling of owning something new again.

Only iPhones to me worth keeping for life are -

iPhone
iPhone SE
iPhone X

Maybe add the 4 or 4s if you still fancy that design. The 4 was the last one Steve Jobs announced. The rest aren't that "special" or worth keeping for a collection unless it holds too much sentimental value for them.

 

[Pez555]

Always used to sell my previous device and recoup some money. On the upgrade program now as I can’t be bothered with the hassle of selling anymore.

 

[Eggtastic]

This is the dilemma I am facing. I have a 6+ right now and it could fetch $2-300 selling it outright or even trading it in for a new phone. However, the chance I lose my phone I will be stuck with no communication device. I have an old 2007 blackberry pearl laying around that could be used simply for calls and texts haha.

 

[kazmac]

I generally sell or trade my older phones. That might change with my next iPhone.

 

[Hustle]

I have two younger brothers (11 and 13). For the last few years, I give the older one my old iPhone when I upgrade annually, and he passes his old phone to the younger one.

In the last few months however the younger one smashed the screen on his phone, and the older one has sold the phone I gave him to his friend instead of passing it down to his younger sibling.

Therefore, they now get nothing. I'll just throw my iPhone 7 in the draw this year. I can't be bothered with eBay scammers etc.

 

[looselaces85]

I plan on buying outright and just trading in my 7 Plus at the Apple store honestly. They’re giving 375 gift card. I can use that on my X. I usually sell on eBay but right now the value is pretty low for the 7 plus. Going between 350-400 for a T-Mobile version. That’s my plan

 

[ezmolaw]

I prefer to keep my old iPhones. I have 3G, 4, 4S, (2) 5's, and now have a 6s. I hope to sell them individually or as a package in 20-30 years. I kept the original boxes just in case. Not entirely sure how much they'll be worth considering they aren't new, but I think they are worth keeping if in at-least good condition, especially in the day and age where everything you use nowadays is leased or on some type of subscription status. These companies make a boat load of money off the first person who leased it anyway then get even more when you return it then they lease it out again. Just my opinion of course.

 

[eyoungren]

Just curious about this. I usually get an iPhone, use it for two years, then keep it when I get a new one. I like having backup phones, but I'm thinking about selling this 7 next time I upgrade to save some money.

What do you do with your old iPhones?

I keep them for specific purposes as well as having a phone on hand to give to someone I know if they need one.

Currently my old iPhone 5 is in service as a backup phone on a line I plan to hold for my daughter when she's old enough. Right now I am using it for Walmart Pay, CVS Pay, loyalty cards, etc. Easier to get it out then my much larger iPhone 6s+.

I also have a 4s that's being used for network monitoring and IT stuff.

 

[OneMike]

I usually sell my old phone, but this year I'm giving it to a family member

 

[KingslayerG5]

I can imagine someone out there has every iPhone model. From storage and color variant. Keep some in sealed boxes and the other ones for display. I think of that movie Baby Driver where Baby had an iPod collection.

I actually considered getting an og iPhone and maybe a black 4/4s again. The og is harder to find in excellent condition or on the first firmware when it was the fastest. It lagged by iOS3. The 4/4s I would want would be on pre-iOS7.

I told myself nah. Only will be in my room to collect dust. I could see myself using the SE for a long time or until the battery dies or no longer can run apps with iOS10. My iPad 2 lasted six years with no real battery degradation at all.

Apple products do last a long time like MacBooks if treated with proper care and a few internal fix ups. My brother has a 7-year old MacBook Pro he still uses. I still see people using an iPhone 4/4s.

I don't like 2017 phones much. Only slightly better than 2015 since all have sealed batteries, glass rears, and losing headphone jack. I found 2013, 2014, and 2016 to be more intriguing.

Going to be a retro phone collector similar to retro gamers that buy old stuff like a Neo Geo. Oldie but still a goodie. Phones are becoming like songs and movies to me.

Music or Movies
Oldies = better
New stuff = sucks

The older we become, the more jaded we become. Don't underestimate the power of nostalgia either. Getting to a point in tech that getting a phone from 2014-2016 can hold up for a decade if an iPhone 4 can still be relevant to some after 7 years.

I want to be like Al Bundy with his old Dodge. Keep it for 20+ years. My Super NES from 1994 still works. People's Atari 2600 that was made in the USA still works after 35 years. I miss when products were built to last.

Sealed batteries, no expandable storage, and software updates ruined the industry. Planned obsolescence is evil.

If my SE ever dies on me, I would still keep it as a pretty paperweight because I love the design so much. Or try to find another one that works like Kim Kardashian-West who hoards BB Bold 9900 off eBay.