How much is a broken phone worth?
It all depends on the model, its storage capacity and the fault. As a real example, on 16 October 2026 Nomophone's buyback price list in France offered the following for a 128 GB iPhone 13: €167 in like-new condition, €127 with signs of wear and €55 with a broken screen. On this model, a broken screen therefore cuts the value to roughly a third, but does not reduce it to zero.
The more recent and high-end the model, the more value a broken device keeps: its parts (screen, motherboard, cameras) are in demand.
The faults that matter most
- Cracked screen or back glass: the most common fault, and the easiest for a professional to repair.
- Device that no longer turns on: lower value, because the fault has not been identified.
- Oxidation (contact with liquid): often bought for the value of its parts.
- Faulty button, speaker, camera or Face ID: the price reduction varies depending on the part.
- Account not removed (Find My, Google account): a deal-breaker, whatever the condition. Always remove the device from your accounts, remotely if necessary.
Repair before selling?
Compare the cost of the repair with the price difference between “broken” and “good condition”. In the example above, the gap is €72 between a broken screen and a condition with signs of wear: if a good-quality screen replacement costs you more than that, you are better off selling it as it is. A repair using poor-quality parts may also be detected and lower the offer.
Where to sell a broken phone
- A specialist buyback company that accepts damaged devices: you get a firm offer after declaring the condition, and shipping is often free.
- A repair shop: some buy devices for parts.
- Classified ads “for parts”: sometimes a higher price, but more hassle and more risk.
- Recycling: if the device no longer has any value, drop it off at a collection point. In the European Union, large electronics shops take back small appliances free of charge, even without a purchase.
Declare the condition accurately
Describe the fault precisely when you request a quote. The buyback company checks the device on arrival: if its actual condition is worse than declared, it makes a new offer (counter-offer) that you can accept or refuse. An honest declaration avoids this back-and-forth.
Protect your data
If the screen still works, reset the phone in the normal way. If the screen is unusable, erase it remotely from icloud.com/find (iPhone) or android.com/find (Android) while it is connected, then remove it from your account.