The concept of buy-and-sell has been around probably since the first people found out they could barter goods for needed resources. In modern times, buying new and used products cheaply and then reselling them for profit is a business many discovered they could start with ease.
Buy low, sell high—every entrepreneur will say that’s the mantra to a successful business.
But is this concept applicable (and lucrative) for select industries only? Can you buy and sell smartphones and other devices? How and what should be your expectations?
We discuss how to make money out of your device in this article.
Why Buy-And-Sell Your Mobile Devices
Smartphone manufacturers come up with a myriad of models in as little as a quarter. This fast-paced development means there is quite a wide selection of devices to choose from in the market.
The decision to purchase a particular unit all boils down to a few things: specifications, budget, and even brand preference. But despite all these criteria, sadly, your smartphone will still come to an end.
The consensus is a good two to four years of usage in terms of a smartphone’s lifespan. If you’re careful with your device, you can even get five to six years. By this additional time, your smartphone might be usable, but with complications. Aesthetics, battery, software, and hardware are highly likely to be outdated already.
To give you an idea of the lifespan of smartphones, you can refer below:
| BRAND | ESTIMATED AVERAGE LIFESPAN | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| Apple (iPhone) | 4 - 10 years | Most experts would agree that the iPhones are the most durable smartphones in the market. Some even claim you can use the iPhone for close to a decade with proper handling and care. But, the downside is that there are a lot of factors that may significantly lower the iPhone’s performance. First off is the battery. Insufficient memory and lagging may also be reasons why you’ll upgrade to a newer model or switch altogether. |
| Samsung | 3-6 years | Samsung is another durable contender. But like the iPhone, the battery could be a problem. A phone from this brand could also be replaced due to malfunctioning ports and outdated operating systems. |
| OnePlus | 3 years | You’ll get quite an average lifespan on your OnePlus phone. As the years progress, however, issues on responsiveness may be your number one reason for switching or upgrading your phone. |
| Xiaomi | 2-4 years | Some claim that the usual problem you’ll face four years and so down the line is the touchscreen getting stuck on your Xiaomi phone. |
| Huawei | 2-4 years | Battery health is one of the main contributors to Huawei’s average lifespan. |
| Lenovo/Motorola | 2-3 years | Users claim that problems with battery, ports, and unresponsiveness make them switch out of their Lenovo/Motorola handsets. |
| Oppo | 2-3 years | The lifespan of an Oppo phone is also average; of course, this might change with the way you handle your phone. |
Based on the above summary, the usual lifespan for smartphones is below the five-year mark. So what happens then?
What would you do if your phone is no longer functioning or obsolete by then?
As the famous Japanese organizing consultant says in her hit Netflix series—if it doesn’t “spark joy,” throw it.
That must be what the majority is doing.
According to a 2019 article by Alana Semuels published in TIME, electronics waste is the world’s fastest-growing solid-waste stream.
This environmental consciousness, coupled with the obvious win if you maximize your phone’s return on investment (ROI), is maybe a solid reason why you should look into the whole buy-and-sell enterprise of smartphones.
Selling Your Smartphone?
Got some unused, old smartphones just lying around your home?
Looking to declutter and take a step towards minimizing electronic waste?
If it’s a yes and yes, iTravel2U can help by buying that smartphone from you.
A few things though, before we proceed with the purchase:
- Make sure the phone you are selling is yours
It might be awkward, but we have to ensure you are indeed the owner of the handset. Guaranteeing that we don’t buy stolen products is the topmost on our to-do list.You may or may not be associated with the theft (which is a crime!), and we absolutely do not want to tarnish our business and reputation by being some accomplice.
Handling stolen goods is also punishable by law—we will be keeping it legal right from the get-go.
- Is your smartphone new five years ago?
At the moment, the oldest smartphones we will purchase are those released in the year 2017 only.
If you have an unused or broken iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy A3, OnePlus 5, or a Xiaomi Red Note 4, etc., bring it to us. We promise to give you a fair price.
- Let’s talk physical condition
Of course, we also have to take into consideration the physical condition of the unit you plan to sell. Things like a cracked screen, battery life, and the state of your charging ports will be evaluated once you bring in your handset to us.
To Wrap It Up
Whether we can afford it or not, the smartphone market is one of the most fast-evolving all over the globe. Manufacturers think up updates, features, and upgrades at lightning speed.
It is not an exaggeration when people say they’ve been saving up for one particular smartphone, only to find out it’s no longer the trendiest the minute they’re ready to buy it.
We live in an era where we heavily depend on portable devices that make our day-to-day activities easy and convenient. The constant innovation is a good thing considering our growing list of demands.
So when you have purchased a new smartphone and have no use for your old—albeit functioning—one, think of us. iTravel2U does buy and sell devices.
Want to find out how much bang for your buck your old smartphone is worth? Schedule an appointment by calling iTravel2U at 516-823-5577.
1 thought on “Buy-and-Sell: Make Money Out of Your Device”
Good article!