Can You Sell a Broken Phone in Dubai?

Smartphones are now more than just an accessory in our daily lives; they have become essential to us. But no matter how much care you take, there is always a chance of accidents happening. You will suffer from cracked screens, battery issues, or worst case scenario, water damage. All of these and more issues can leave your phone unusable and unable to sell anywhere. If you happen to live in Dubai and are wondering about the thought of, ‘’Can you sell a broken phone in Dubai’’? We have the answer for you, it’s, Yes, you can.

In fact, there happens to be a growing market for damaged phones in Dubai that professional buyers, part sellers, and refurbishers are buying. Today, we will tell you in detail about how you can sell a broken phone in Dubai.

What Counts as a “Broken” Phone

When you hear the term a broken phone, this doesn’t always mean a phone that won’t switch on. In Dubai, there are buyers that will accept different levels of damage for a smartphone. There can be cosmetic flaws in fully non-working phones. To get a better idea, here are the most common issues you can fix.

(i). Cracked screen

One of the biggest problems that the phone can incur is its shattered to cracked screen. Whether it’s a slight hairline crack or a completely smashed display, there will still be cracked-screen phone buyers in Dubai. They will take the phone, refurbish it, or recycle the device entirely. Even if there is a touch functionality that is compromised, the internal parts might still hold some value.

(ii). Battery issues

Your phone might be draining the battery rather quickly, or it may not charge at all. All these problems are due to a faulty battery. Battery issues are quite common, especially if it’s the older iPhone models or the Samsung devices. Many might think that a dead battery leaves a phone worthless, but a professional buyer will replace the battery at a far lower cost before reselling that very same device.

 

(iii). Water damage

If you accidentally drop your phone into water or have spilled some water on it, the phone gets damaged. These are the most common cases of water damage for a mobile phone. A water-damaged phone might not switch on entirely, but this doesn’t make it completely unsellable. There are many mobile repairing shops in Dubai that have the expertise to revive these water-damaged phones. If they cannot repair them, they will at least salvage their valuable parts, such as their camera, screen, or motherboard.

Even for broken devices, the selling platform matters — see whether shops or online buyers pay better in Dubai.

Can Shops Buy Broken Phones?

There are actually quite a few shops and dealers working all across Dubai that buy broken phones actively. There are countless malls from Deira Dubai to Bur Dubai that have mobile repair kiosks. You will be able to find a buyer who is willing to pay cash for the damaged devices of any brand, including iPhone and Samsung. What these shops do is repair and resell the phones for a profit. If they cannot repair the phone, they will use the parts from your phone to repair other devices. The last option for them is to recycle these components to a manufacturer in bulk to get some profit.

For instance, if you wish to sell a damaged iPhone in Dubai, you will need to find a reliable Apple reseller. They will be able to see the value in even the non-functional or cracked devices. Likewise, the broken Samsung resale in the UAE is in high demand due to the popularity of the Samsung models. 

Why Professional Buyers Offer Cash for Broken Phones

You might wonder about the question of why anyone would pay for your non-working phone? The answer to this question lies in the value of their parts as well as the opportunity for the refurbishment.

(i). Harvesting The Parts: Even if the phone is not working, there are going to be components like the buttons, camera, or motherboard that might still function. All of these parts are quite valuable for the repair shops.

(ii). Refurbishment: Many of the damaged or broken phones in Dubai can be repaired with a new screen or a battery. Shops will fix them cheaply and then resell them for a profit.

(iii). Recycling: There are valuable metals used in the manufacturing of smartphones. This includes gold, silver, and copper. There are authorized recyclers that will extract these materials to sell for profit.

(iv). Demand For Affordable Phones: Not everyone in Dubai will be able to buy a new smartphone device. For any eco-conscious buyers, especially the expats working in Dubai, they will choose refurbished phones.

So, the next time you see the ads like ‘’Instant cash buyers in Dubai for broken phones’’, know this because there is value for your old devices.

How Much Can You Get for a Broken Phone in Dubai?

The resale value for any broken phone will depend on the brand and the model, as well as its overall condition. There are quite a few factors that will influence this price.

(i). Brand & Model Factor: If there is an iPhone 13 with a broken screen, it will still get much better prices compared to an older iPhone 7 with fewer issues. Similarly to this, a Samsung Galaxy S22 that suffers from water damage will still fetch you a better price compared to a low-end model.

(ii). Damage Type: Some damage is light while others are massive, which affects your mobile's price. Cosmetic cracks are cheaper for a reseller to repair compared to fixing the issue of water damage or the motherboard.

(iii). Demand In the Market: A well-known model from a renowned brand will get you better resale value as shops are willing to pay more for them.

Typical Pricing Ranges:

This is an estimated price range for the sale of broken or damaged phones in Dubai.

  1. A cracked-screen phone will get anywhere from 20 % to 50 % of the original value of the phone.
  2. A battery-damaged phone will fetch anywhere from 30 % to 60 % of the original value, depending on the repair and replacements.
  3. A water-damaged phone or a dead one will get somewhere in the range of 10 % to 30 % but the high-end models might get more.

For instance, if you are selling a damaged iPhone in Dubai, such as an iPhone 12 with a cracked screen, you can get somewhere from AED 500 to AED 900. A broken Samsung resale in the UAE might bring you around AED 400 to AED 800.

Any professional buyer of old or broken phones might offer a free evaluation and provide instant price estimates. This will make the selling process quick and convenient for you.

Tips Before Selling Your Broken Phone in Dubai

If you wish to get the best for your old phone and protect your data at the same time, you need to follow these steps.

  1. Make a backup of your data, like photos, videos, contacts, and files.
  2. You must do a factory reset by wiping your device to protect any personal information.
  3. Remove your SIM card or memory card to place them in your new phone.
  4. It’s always best practice to check the price with multiple buyers. The prices will vary so never settle on the first offer.
  5. You can get instant cash deals from many mobile shops in Dubai.

Final Thoughts

We are certain that by now, you have the answer to your question of Can you sell a broken phone in Dubai?’’ Whether it’s a cracked screen, a water-damaged phone, or a smart device with battery issues, you will still find the opportunity to sell it to instant cash buyers in Dubai. The amount you will receive will depend on the brand, model, and the type of damage your device sustains. Selling a broken phone not only gets you money, but it also contributes to sustainability by allowing the parts to be recycled and reused.

If you’re unsure about safety while selling used or damaged phones, check this guide on how safe phone selling really is in Dubai.