[2025] Junk iPhones: Hot for Both Buying and Selling! A Thorough Explanation of Why They're in Demand

"My iPhone is junk, it's a waste to throw it away, but can I sell it?"

"I want to buy a junk iPhone, but I'm worried."

Devices with significant damage or that cannot perform their original functions are called junk items, and they have the advantage of being able to be purchased at a significantly lower price than regular used items. However, the disadvantage of junk items is that they cannot be used as-is, as some functions may be broken.

Among junk items, iPhones are in demand by some people, and the number of people interested in junk items is increasing. This article explains junk iPhones for those who are interested.

[Conclusion]

Junk iPhones cannot be used as-is. However, there is a need to purchase them for repair or parts. In addition, even iPhones with some unusable functions can be sold at an unexpected price by putting them up for sale.

Understanding the demand for junk iPhones can help you with future purchases and sales.

[By reading this article to the end, you will learn]

• Why junk iPhones sell

• The current market price for junk iPhones in 2025

• The advantages of buying a junk iPhone

• Precautions when selling a junk iPhone

If you are considering buying or selling a junk iPhone, please read to the end.

 

What are junk iPhones?

"Junk items" generally mean "scrap" or "unusable items." In the case of devices like iPhones, they are items that do not function properly due to some kind of problem, such as a broken screen, failure to turn on, or water damage.

Junk items also include those that, while still functional, have severe scratches or dirt, or a heavily depleted battery, making them unsuitable for sale as used goods.

Normally, an iPhone in this state would be considered non-functional and useless. However, there is a strong demand from some users who buy them for collection purposes, to repair and resell them, or for specific parts, making them consistently popular.

 

Why do junk iPhones sell?

Junk iPhones are consistently popular among some users. Here are four reasons why junk iPhones sell:

• There is a demand for them for repair or parts.

• People with repair skills fix them for their own use.

• They are reused in overseas markets.

• Depending on the model, there is collector demand.

Let's explain why junk iPhones sell.

 

Demand for repair or parts

One reason why junk iPhones sell is that repair shops and knowledgeable individuals buy them for parts and reuse. iPhones are precision instruments composed of many expensive parts such as the display, camera, logic board, battery, and various sensors. If some parts are intact, they can be reused for repairing other iPhones.

Since genuine parts are expensive, junk iPhones are in demand by businesses and individuals who want to extract parts cheaply from junk items and utilize them. Junk iPhones are also popular among those who want to practice repairs or disassembly using junk items.

There is a certain demand for junk iPhones, even if they are broken, as long as some parts are usable.

 

People with repair skills fix them for their own use.

For people with specialized knowledge and repair skills, junk iPhones are popular because they can be purchased at a low price. Especially older models can be bought for just a few thousand yen, making junk iPhones a treasure for collectors with repair skills.

Additionally, some people buy several units at once to hone their repair skills, so junk iPhones have a certain value even when broken.

 

They are reused in overseas markets.

Even junk iPhones whose repair costs are prohibitive in Japan can sometimes be repaired at a low cost overseas. This is because labor costs are lower than in Japan, which helps keep repair costs down. Additionally, in emerging countries in Asia and Africa, there is a demand for inexpensive iPhones, even if they have some performance issues.

The trend of reusing them in overseas markets creates new value for unusable iPhones and supports a global recycling and reuse system.

 

Depending on the model, there is collector demand.

Some iPhone models have rare colors, discontinued sizes, or home buttons, and a certain number of users purchase junk items specifically for these features.

Especially older models that have been discontinued for some years are scarce in the used market and difficult to obtain. However, there is a possibility of finding them as junk items, which makes them noteworthy.

Additionally, some people buy them for collection purposes even if they cannot be used, so there is a demand for them not only from those with repair skills.

 

How to sell a junk iPhone

It would be a great waste to simply discard a junk iPhone you have on hand. Some junk iPhones can fetch a good price.

Here are three ways to sell a junk iPhone:

• Sell it to a used device buyer

• Trade in at Apple or a carrier

• Sell it on a flea market app

Don't dispose of your junk iPhone; sell it smartly.

 

Sell it to a used device buyer

The easiest and most common method is to sell it to a used device buyer. If you take it to a buyer that handles used devices, a specialist will assess its condition on the spot and offer a purchase price.

When selling to a used store, the major advantage is that you can easily get cash on the spot if you have the device to sell and an ID. However, some used device stores may not buy junk items, so it's a good idea to check in advance.

PRODIG Buyback offers a wide range of used devices, from iPhones to iPads and Androids. We also buy back junk iPhones and will carefully assess your precious iPhone.

 

 

Trade in at Apple or a carrier

When purchasing a new iPhone, you can use the trade-in program offered by Apple Store or various mobile carriers (Docomo, au, SoftBank, Rakuten Mobile, etc.) to get a discount on the price of the new device.

If you are considering an upgrade, this is a convenient and easy method. However, in the case of junk iPhones, they are often not eligible for trade-in, or if they are, the value is usually less than a few hundred yen.

Although it's not ideal for getting cash, it's a convenient option for those who think "it's better to reuse it than to throw it away."

 

Sell it on a flea market app

This method involves selling the item yourself using flea market apps such as Mercari, Rakuma, or Yahoo! Auctions. The biggest advantage is that you can set your own price, potentially selling it for more than a buyer's shop.

Furthermore, with flea market apps, you can check the number of views and likes, which is also an advantage as it allows you to gauge the demand for your junk iPhone. The downside is that you need to handle the listing, communication with potential buyers, packaging, and shipping yourself.

Also, if the product's condition is not clearly stated, there is a risk of problems after purchase. It is important to clearly state that it is a junk item and provide an honest and detailed explanation of what parts are broken.

When listing a junk iPhone, it's common to encounter unexpected questions or problems. Therefore, it's not recommended for those without a certain level of knowledge.

[2025 Edition] Market price for junk iPhones

The current market price for junk iPhones as of May 2025 is as follows. The amounts below are PRODIG's market prices for junk iPhones.

*Purchase prices may vary depending on the season and condition.

 

To find out how much your iPhone is worth at PRODIG, click here.

Newer iPhones tend to fetch higher prices even as junk items.

iPhones are very popular, and there is high demand from people who want to repair and use them themselves or for reuse purposes. Even older models can fetch prices from several thousand to tens of thousands of yen, so it is recommended to sell even a broken, unusable iPhone rather than throwing it away.

 

 

Benefits of buying a junk iPhone

Junk iPhones offer benefits not only to sellers but also to buyers. Here are three advantages of buying a junk iPhone:

• You can get a device at an even cheaper price than a used one.

• It's perfect for practicing repairs and customization.

• You might find unexpected bargains.

While junk iPhones offer advantages such as being inexpensive, be aware of the disadvantages: warranties may not apply, and they cannot be used as-is.

Let's explore the appeal of buying a junk iPhone.

 

You can get a device at an even cheaper price than a used one.

Junk iPhones are sold at an even lower price than regular used items. While the premise is that they cannot be used as-is, they are a very attractive option if purchased for repair or parts.

For example, as of May 2025, PRODIG sells "iPad Air2 Wi-Fi+Cellular (Junk item)" for 4,980 yen. In contrast, a regular used model (Wi-Fi only) sold at PRODIG is 13,800 yen, showing that junk items can be purchased significantly cheaper.

 

▼Click here for PRODIG's junk items!

Below are examples of sales prices for regular used iPads and junk iPads sold by PRODIG.

*Sales prices as of May 2025

 

As you can see from the table, junk items are often much cheaper than used items, and there's a possibility they can be resold for a price close to their purchase cost. Therefore, the high resale value of junk items is also a major attraction.

 

▼Currently popular junk items here!

 

Perfect for practicing repairs and customization.

For those who want to learn iPhone repair techniques or customize their iPhone, a junk iPhone is an attractive option. While disassembling and customizing regular used items can be costly, junk items can be obtained relatively cheaply, making it easy to buy them in bulk.

Junk iPhones are ideal for practicing to improve repair skills.

 

You might find unexpected bargains.

Among junk items, there are cases where "bargains" are hidden. For example, some devices may be difficult to purchase as regular used items because they are already discontinued, or they may be easily restored with simple maintenance. Since some junk items may have symptoms that are not bothersome for certain uses, they are not to be overlooked if you want to get an iPhone cost-effectively.

Consistently checking used stores can lead to unexpected encounters with junk iPhones, which is another appealing aspect.

 

Precautions when selling a junk iPhone

There are several precautions to consider when selling a junk iPhone. Even if it's a junk item and unusable, an iPhone is a trove of personal information. Also, if the Activation Lock (iCloud) is not disabled, the next owner cannot use it, which significantly reduces its value.

Before selling, make sure to cover these five points:

• Disable Activation Lock (iCloud)

• Initialize the data

• Remember to remove the SIM card

• Fully understand the buyer's terms and conditions

• If there are accessories (box, charger, etc.), include them in the appraisal

We will explain the precautions to take before selling a junk iPhone.

 

Disable Activation Lock (iCloud)

When selling a junk iPhone, you must disable Activation Lock (iCloud) beforehand. Activation Lock is a security feature designed to prevent unauthorized use by third parties in case of loss or theft.

If it remains enabled, the next owner will not be able to initialize and use the iPhone. Therefore, most buyers will not purchase iPhones with Activation Lock enabled.

Before selling, always turn off the "Find My" feature from the "Settings" app and sign out of your Apple ID (iCloud).

If the iPhone is broken and screen operation is difficult, sign in to iCloud.com from another device, such as a PC, and remove the device.

 

Initialize the data

iPhones store a lot of personal information, such as photos, contacts, messages, and app login details. Even if it's a junk item, there's a very high risk if personal information remains on it when it falls into the hands of a third party.

Always completely erase your iPhone's data (restore to factory settings) before selling it. If your iPhone is operational, you can erase it by following these steps:

"Settings" → "General" → "Transfer or Reset iPhone" → "Erase All Content and Settings"

If screen operation is difficult, some buyback stores may offer data erasure services, so be sure to inform them of this before selling.

At PRODIG, whether buying or selling, we implement a higher standard of quality control and thoroughly erase personal information from used iPhones. Even if your iPhone is inoperable and you cannot delete personal information, PRODIG will erase your personal information under strict quality control.

However, while we perform data erasure during operational verification, please note that it may take time for assessment, or lead to a significant reduction in the purchase price, or even refusal of purchase. Therefore, we kindly ask that you erase your data beforehand if possible. Also, please back up any necessary data yourself in advance.

Click here for details

 

Don't forget to remove the SIM card

Before selling a junk iPhone, always check that the SIM card has not been left inside.SIM cards contain subscriber information, and there is a risk of misuse.

Even if the SIM card has been canceled, be sure to remove it from the device before selling. Also, since it is difficult to retrieve the SIM card after sale, check the device's condition beforehand.

 

Fully understand the terms and conditions of the buyer

Depending on the buyer or buyback store, junk iPhones may not be accepted for purchase or may have specific conditions. Also,if you are using mail-in appraisal, the cost of return shipping may be your responsibility.

To avoid wasting time and effort on unpurchasable items, take the time to review the terms and conditions of the buyer or buyback store and fully understand them.

 

Include accessories (box, charger, etc.) for appraisal

If you have the originalbox, manual, charger (AC adapter), Lightning cable, earphones, or other accessories that came with your iPhone, including them in the appraisal may increase the buyback price.

Even if the device is broken, if the accessories are intact, the added value for resale increases, and the likelihood of it being eligible for purchase goes up.

Genuine Apple chargers and cables are in high demand and can be a plus factor, and the box can provide information for verifying the model and serial number, so it's a good idea to look for them before selling.

 

Utilize junk iPhones by considering both use and sale

Some people may think that a broken iPhone is "worthless because it's unusable," but the characteristic of junk iPhones is their high user demand, for purposes such as repair, parts, or overseas markets.

Recently,the number of buyback stores actively purchasing junk iPhones and businesses/individuals wanting to buy them has increased, indicating an expanding demand.

Furthermore, junk items can be obtained at an even lower price than used items, and when selling, there's a possibility of selling them at a price close to the purchase price. Especially for Apple products, demand in the junk market is high, so the resale value is considered very good.

If you are considering "selling a junk iPhone" or "buying a junk iPhone," please refer to the information introduced in this article.

 

PRODIG," the official online store for used smartphones and tablets,sells a wide variety of used devices, from iPhones and iPads to Androids.

▼We buy smartphones, tablets, PCs, and more, from beautiful items to junk items, at high prices!

 

▼We also have limited-quantity SALE items! Don't miss out!