Is there any point in keeping old phones?

Short and sweet: No. There’s almost never a point in keeping old phones. Their value drops quickly, the materials inside don’t get any better with age, and in the meantime, those devices take up space that you could put to better use. So trading in old phones is almost always the better choice—and preferably as soon as possible.

Yet there are millions of old cell phones sitting in drawers across the Netherlands. Whether out of habit or because people don’t know what to do with them—sell them, trade them in, or give them away? Below, you’ll find out what’s involved, what you can get for them, what you need to arrange beforehand, and what happens to your phone afterward.

What's actually inside an old phone?

More than most people realize. The average smartphone contains gold, silver, copper, palladium, and metals such as indium and cobalt. Here’s what’s inside a single device:

Gold: in the circuit board and connectors
Copper: in wiring and circuits
Silver: in solder joints
Cobalt and lithium: in the battery
Palladium: in capacitors

Those raw materials come from mines on the other side of the world. If the phone stays in a drawer, that raw material does nothing. If you turn it in, the material gets a second life. Most of the precious metal, by the way, is in the circuit board. You can read here which circuit boards are worth the most. One phone doesn’t yield much, but the Netherlands is estimated to have more than 50 million unused devices lying around. That’s a mountain of material that’s currently doing nothing.

Storage costs money and involves risks

A phone loses value quickly. For example, a phone that’s worth 80 euros today might only be worth 20 euros in two years—if it’s worth anything at all. That’s because models become outdated, batteries degrade, and software stops receiving updates. So waiting costs you money. You see exactly the same pattern with computers; read more about it in this blog.

Storage is also not without risk. If damaged or stored for long periods, lithium batteries can leak or, in the worst case, catch fire. This rarely happens, but don’t ignore it. And raw materials that aren’t recovered have to be mined again. That consumes energy and water. Recycling old phones breaks that cycle immediately.

How much money do you get for turning in an old phone?

That depends on the brand, model, age, and condition of the device. Recent models that are still in good condition can sometimes fetch a substantial amount through a buyback platform. You can see what we pay for electronics on our electronics buyback prices page. Older or damaged phones are usually less attractive for resale, but can still be valuable for recycling because of the raw materials and metals they contain.

It’s important to distinguish between turning in a device for free and actually receiving money for it. Just because you can have an old phone recycled for free doesn’t automatically mean it no longer has any residual value. Conversely, owning an old device doesn’t necessarily mean a buyer will pay for it. It’s therefore worth checking first what kind of device you have, how old it is, and what condition it’s in.

If your phone is less than about three years old and still in good condition, selling it through a buyback site usually yields the highest return. For older or damaged devices, recycling is the better option, so that valuable raw materials can be reused. If the device still works well but you don’t need any money for it, you can also give it away or donate it. That way, the phone stays in use longer.

If you have several old phones or other electronic devices lying around, turning them in to a certified recycler is a logical choice. That way, you can be sure the materials will be processed properly and responsibly. Whichever option you choose, always make sure to remove your personal data from the device first. Delete your data and accounts before you sell, give away, or recycle your phone.

What to Do with Old Cell Phones: Here's How to Handle It

It takes less effort than you think. Line up all your old devices and check the resale value of each one. If it still has value, sell it. If not, turn it in to a certified recycler. Never throw loose batteries in with regular scrap metal—we recycle those separately.

Photos, passwords, bank information, and your Apple or Google account—you don’t want to leave any of that behind. So first, make a backup, log out of your accounts, remove the SIM card and memory card, and restore the device to factory settings. Then check to make sure everything is gone. Read here to learn how to do this thoroughly.

Here's how we process the phone you turned in

At Krommenhoek Metals, you can drop off your old electronics at our locations in Rotterdam and Wateringen. We are WEEELABEX-certified for collection and logistics. Your device is sent via a controlled supply chain to an accredited processor, which recovers gold, copper, and cobalt and reintroduces them into the production cycle. No gray markets, no unknown destinations.

Krommenhoek Metals has been in the metal business since 1925. Today, electronics recycling is part of that, and we take the same approach: fair weighing, proper processing, and no hassle. Not because we have to, but because that’s how we do things.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I return a broken phone?

Yes. Whether it has a cracked screen, water damage, or won't turn on, it doesn't matter for recycling. The raw materials inside are still valuable. For resale, however, a broken device is usually less appealing.

Do I need to make an appointment?

No. You can just drive right onto the grounds. Be sure to bring a valid form of identification—it's required by law—and delete your data beforehand.

Can I trade in multiple old phones at the same time?

Absolutely. Whether it's two or twenty, we can handle them all. Does your business have a large batch of electronic waste? Get in touch, and we'll work with you to find the best solution.