Yes. Celltrade.ae buys phones in any condition, working or not, including phones with a cracked screen, a dead battery or no power at all. The price is adjusted after the phone is inspected in front of you, and you are free to accept or decline the offer.
What kinds of damage can you still sell a phone with?
Almost any kind. What changes is the price, not whether the phone can be sold. The table shows how each common fault generally affects value. The offer itself depends on the model and on the inspection.
| Damage | How it generally affects value |
|---|---|
| Cracked screen | Usually the biggest reduction, because the display is a costly part. A crack with a working picture and touch counts less than a screen with lines, dark patches or no touch. |
| Cracked back glass | Generally a smaller reduction than a front crack, as long as the cameras and charging still work. |
| Dead or weak battery | A battery is a wear part that can be replaced, so the effect is moderate. Do not charge a swollen battery. Mention it instead. |
| Not turning on | The phone cannot be tested, so it is valued mainly for its parts. |
| Water damage | Valued cautiously, even if the phone works today, because corrosion can spread over time. |
| Faulty camera or buttons | Depends on the part. Each fault found lowers the offer. |
Why is a phone that will not turn on still worth something?
A dead phone is still a collection of parts. The cameras, frame, speakers, charging port and often the screen can be reused in repairs even when the main board has failed. Sometimes the cause is also simple, such as a worn battery or a damaged charging port.
The model matters most here. A recent phone that will not start is usually worth more than an old one in the same state, because its parts are in higher demand.
Should you repair the phone first or sell it as it is?
There is no single answer. A repair costs money and time, and it only pays off if it raises the offer by more than you spend.
- Repairing first can make sense when the fault is small and cheap to fix, the phone is a recent model, and the repair uses original parts.
- Selling as it is usually makes sense when the screen or main board has failed, when there is water damage, or when the phone is an older model.
Non-original parts can lower the value on their own, and some phones show a notice in their settings when one has been fitted. A simple way to decide: check the website estimate for the Poor condition and for a better condition, then compare the difference with a repair quote.
What is the one thing that does stop a sale?
Damage does not stop a sale. An account lock does. A phone that is still linked to your Apple ID or Google account stays locked to you even after it is erased. On an iPhone this is called Activation Lock. On Android it is the Google account check that appears after a reset. The next owner cannot set the phone up, so it cannot be bought in that state. The same applies to a phone that has been reported lost.
How do you remove a phone from your account when the screen is broken?
Use another phone, a tablet or a computer.
iPhone
- Open icloud.com/find in a web browser, or the Find My app on another Apple device, and sign in with the same Apple ID.
- Select the broken iPhone in the list of devices.
- Choose the option to remove it from your account. If the phone is still online, you may need to erase it first and then remove it.
Android
- Sign in to your Google Account in a web browser and open the security section.
- Open the list of your devices and select the broken phone.
- Choose Sign out.
Google’s Find My Device service can also erase the phone remotely, but an erased phone can still ask for the previous Google account during setup, so keep your account details with you. A Samsung phone may also be signed in to a Samsung account. Remove the phone there too.
You should back up, sign out and factory reset before handing the device over; our team can help you do this in store.
Which condition should you choose on the website?
Choose Poor. On celltrade.ae you choose your device, storage, box (sealed or open) and condition (Excellent, Good, Average, Poor) and see an estimated price. Poor is the right option for a cracked, faulty or non-working phone.
The website price is an estimate. You then continue on WhatsApp, where you can describe the fault, and either visit a store or book a pickup. The final offer is confirmed after the phone is inspected in front of you. If you accept, you are paid in cash on the spot.
What is the next step?
Start with an estimate on the sell a phone page, or go straight to sell an iPhone or sell a Samsung. Then bring the phone and your Emirates ID or passport to one of our stores in Deira, Al Barsha or Al Satwa. No appointment is needed. Free home pickup is available in Dubai, Sharjah and Ajman.