Selling Your iPhone in Australia: What Actually Works (And What Doesn't)

Everyone's got an old iPhone sitting around somewhere. Maybe it's in a drawer, maybe it's your backup phone, or maybe you just upgraded and can't be bothered dealing with the old one. Either way, there's probably a few hundred bucks sitting there if you know where to look.

Problem is, there are about fifty different ways to sell a phone these days, and most of them are either a complete waste of time or designed to rip you off. Here's what I've figured out after watching mates get burned and doing some digging myself.

Facebook Marketplace: Hit or Miss

Facebook Marketplace is where most people start because it's right there in the app and doesn't cost anything to list. Sometimes you'll get lucky and find someone who'll pay a decent price without mucking around.

Other times you'll get messages like "will u take $200 for iPhone 13 Pro quick sale needed" at 2am. Or people who arrange to meet you then just don't show up. Or worse, people who show up and try to negotiate the price down after you've already agreed on something.

The buyers who are actually serious will usually pay close to what you're asking if it's reasonable. But sorting through all the time-wasters is pretty annoying. And meeting random people from the internet always feels a bit sketchy, even in busy places.

Prices can be decent, though. Seen iPhone 13 Pros selling for $800+ if they're in good nick. Just depends on how much hassle you're willing to put up with.

Gumtree: Still Exists, Still Works

Gumtree feels ancient but it's still got users. The interface looks like it's from 2010 but whatever, it works. The people on there seem slightly more serious than Facebook - less random messaging, more actual questions about the phone.

Prices are usually a bit lower than Facebook but you waste less time dealing with idiots. If you just want to list it and forget about it until someone reasonable contacts you, Gumtree's not bad.

eBay: Fees Will Kill You

eBay's good if you want to reach people outside your city, but the fees are brutal. They take about 10% straight off the top, then PayPal takes another cut, then you pay for postage. Your $600 phone ends up getting you maybe $500 after everything.

Some phones do weirdly well on eBay though. Older models or specific colors sometimes get bid up higher than they should. Worth checking what stuff is actually selling for, not just what people are asking.

Cash Converters: Absolute Rip-Off

Cash Converters is basically legal robbery. They'll offer you maybe half what your phone is worth elsewhere. Only makes sense if you desperately need cash right now and can't wait a few days for a proper sale.

Walked into one recently just to see what they'd offer for an iPhone 12. They said $200. Same phone was selling for $400-500 everywhere else. Absolute joke.

JB Hi-Fi Trade-In: Surprisingly Okay

JB Hi-Fi's trade-in thing is actually not terrible. You get a quote online, take it to the store, and they give you store credit on the spot. No drama, no meeting strangers, no risk of getting scammed.

The prices aren't amazing but they're not insulting either. Got quoted $480 for an iPhone 12 Pro recently, which isn't great but isn't awful. Problem is you get store credit, not cash. Fine if you're buying something else from JB anyway.

Online Trade-In Services: Mixed Bag

There are heaps of these services now where you post your phone to them and they send you money. Some are legit, some are dodgy as hell.

Tried one called iPhonesintocash with an old iPhone XR that had a cracked back. Got quoted $280 online, posted it to them, and got the money in my account a few days later. No dramas, but obviously didn't get as much as I would have selling it privately.

The convenience factor is pretty good, though. No dealing with buyers, no meetups, no risk of getting scammed. Just post it and wait for the money to show up.

What Actually Matters for Price

Storage size makes a huge difference. 256GB phones sell for way more than 64GB ones. People have finally worked out that 64GB isn't enough for anything.

Battery health is everything. If your battery health is below 80%, you're looking at a big price drop. You can check this in Settings > Battery > Battery Health.

Screen condition matters way more than the back. A few scratches on the back and most people don't care. But screen scratches make it look like crap even if everything else is perfect.

Original accessories help. Having the box and charger makes it look more legit. Probably adds $30-50 to what you'll get.

Timing is important. Don't sell right after new iPhones come out because everyone's trying to offload their old ones at the same time.

Realistic Prices

Here's what you can actually expect for an iPhone 13 Pro (128GB, decent condition):

• Facebook Marketplace: $750-850 (if you find a good buyer)

• Gumtree: $720-800

• eBay: $620-690 (after all the fees)

• JB Hi-Fi: $520-580 (store credit only)

• Cash Converters: $350-450 (rip-off)

• Online trade-in: $650-750

These are real numbers, not wishful thinking. Your results will vary depending on condition and how patient you are.

Getting the Best Deal

Do your homework first. Check what similar phones are actually selling for on your chosen platform. Don't just look at asking prices - look at what people are actually paying.

Be honest about your phone's condition. If it's got issues, mention them upfront. Buyers hate surprises, and being upfront builds trust.

Take decent photos. A blurry photo of your phone on a messy desk isn't going to impress anyone. Clean your phone, find good lighting, and show it from multiple angles.

Sell your Apple iPhone when market conditions are good - typically a few months before new iPhone releases when upgrade demand is highest.

Sell Your Apple iPhone: The Reality Check

Look, selling phones isn't rocket science, but it's not always straightforward either. The platform you choose depends on how much effort you want to put in and how much money you want to get out.

Want maximum cash? You'll need to deal with buyers directly, which means potential headaches but better returns.

Want convenience? You'll pay for it with lower prices, but sometimes that's worth it.

Need money today? You'll get screwed on price, but that's the trade-off.

The iPhone market in Australia is pretty healthy. There's always someone looking to buy, especially for newer models in good condition. Just be realistic about what your phone is worth and pick the selling method that matches your priorities.

Don't expect miracles - a two-year-old phone with a cracked screen isn't going to make you rich. But if you're smart about where and how you sell, you can definitely get some decent cash out of it.

Most importantly, don't rush into the first option you see. Spend five minutes checking what similar phones are actually selling for, not just what people are asking. That'll give you a much better idea of what to expect.