How-to
Where to Sell Your Phone in Canada: Trade-In vs Marketplace vs Carriers
Trade in online for fast, safe cash. Apple Trade In for Apple credit. Carrier deals if you are buying a phone anyway. Marketplace for the most money and the most hassle.
For cash with the least hassle, sell your phone through an online trade-in: you get a fixed quote, ship it with a prepaid label and get paid. For credit toward a new Apple device, use Apple Trade In. A carrier trade-in makes sense only if you are buying a phone from them anyway. For the highest price, sell it yourself on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, but expect time-wasters and scams.
Your 4 options
Trade in online with a refurbisher
Fast, fixed price, no meetups. You get a quote online, ship the phone with a prepaid label and get paid after inspection. You usually get less than a perfect private sale, but no haggling, no strangers and no scam risk. Many also buy cracked and broken phones.
Apple Trade In
Credit at Apple. Apple gives you credit toward a new Apple device, or an Apple Gift Card. Mail-in trade-ins come with a prepaid kit, and Apple says online trade-ins generally take 2 to 3 weeks. Good if you're buying from Apple anyway. The value goes to Apple products, not cash.
Carrier trade-in
Credit toward a new phone. Phone companies run trade-in deals when you buy or upgrade a phone with them. Terms vary: many are tied to a new phone on a plan, and some pay as bill credits spread over months. If you leave early, you can lose the rest. Read the terms before you hand it over.
Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji
Most money, most hassle. Selling privately can get you the highest price, but you set it, answer messages, meet strangers and handle payment yourself. Scams are common: fake e-Transfer emails, overpayments and "ship it first" buyers.
Side by side
| Refurbisher trade-in (us) | Apple Trade In | Carrier trade-in | Marketplace / Kijiji | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| You get | Cash | Apple credit or gift card | Usually credit toward a phone or bill | Cash |
| Need to buy something? | No | No (gift card option) | Usually yes | No |
| Speed | Paid within 5 business days of arrival | About 2 to 3 weeks online | Varies | Whenever a buyer shows up |
| Price locked? | 21 days | Estimate valid 15 days after you get your new device | Varies | No |
| Cracked or broken phones | Yes, most models | Lower value or recycling | Varies | Hard to sell |
| Scam risk | None | None | None | High |
| Phones accepted | iPhone, Samsung, Pixel and more | Mostly Apple, some others | Varies | Anything |
Apple Trade In details from apple.com/ca, checked October 20, 2026. Carrier terms vary by company and deal.
What your phone is worth with us
Our trade-in offers are live on each model's sell page. A few examples right now: a like-new iPhone 15 (128GB) gets $415, an iPhone 13 (128GB) gets $269, and an iPhone 17 Pro Max gets up to $1,850. See the full iPhone trade-in price list, or check Samsung and Pixel offers.
How to pick
- Want cash fast and safe? Trade it in online. No meetups and the price is fixed.
- Buying a new iPhone, iPad or Mac from Apple? Compare Apple's credit with a cash trade-in quote, then pick the higher one.
- Getting a new phone on a plan? Read the carrier deal's terms. Bill credits spread over a contract are not the same as cash today.
- Want every last dollar and have time? Sell privately, but follow the safety tips below.
Selling privately? Stay safe
- Fake e-Transfer emails. Check your bank app before you hand over the phone.
- Overpayment scams. Anyone who sends too much and asks for the difference back is a scammer.
- "Ship it first." Never ship before the money is in your account.
- Verification codes. Never share a code texted to you. It is someone taking over your account.
- Meet safely. Pick a public place with cameras and keep the phone in your hand until you are paid.
Before you sell anywhere: back up, sign out of your accounts, factory reset and remove your SIM. Step by step in how to sell your phone for the most money.
Questions people ask
Where is the best place to sell my phone in Canada?
For cash with no hassle, an online trade-in. For credit toward a new Apple device, Apple Trade In. For the highest possible price, a private sale on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, if you are willing to deal with buyers and scams.
Is it better to trade in or sell my phone privately?
A private sale can pay more. A trade-in is faster, the price is fixed, and there is no risk of a fake payment or a no-show. If the gap is small, trading in is usually worth it.
Is a carrier trade-in worth it?
Sometimes, if you are getting a new phone from them anyway. Read the terms: many deals pay as bill credits over months and are tied to staying on a plan.
How do I avoid scams when selling a phone?
Never ship before you are paid. Check e-Transfers in your bank app, not an email. Meet in a public place with cameras. Never share a code texted to you.
Can I sell a phone that is still on a payment plan?
Pay it off first. Phones with an unpaid balance can be blacklisted, and a blacklisted phone is worth very little. Check yours with our IMEI check.
Can I sell a cracked or broken phone?
Yes. We buy most cracked phones and many that do not turn on. Pick Cracked or Not working in the quote tool.
What should I do before I sell?
How do I get paid by SmartSource?
Get a quote, and we email you a prepaid shipping label. We pay you within 5 business days of receiving your phone. Your quote is locked in for 21 days, and the final value is confirmed at inspection.
Upgrading after you sell? See which iPhone to buy or which Samsung to buy.
Same tech, way less money
Every refurbished and pre-owned device is tested by real technicians, backed by up to a 1-year warranty and 14-day returns.
