How to price a used iPhone at the pawn counter
Short answer: read the exact model and storage in Settings, make sure Activation Lock is off, check battery health and the screen, look for signs of repair, and price from recent real sales of the same model and storage in the same condition.
Read the model and storage in Settings
Settings, General, About shows the model name and the capacity. Models look alike from the front, and the same model with more storage sells for more, so do not rely on the case or the customer's description.
Activation Lock must be off
An iPhone linked to the owner's Apple ID cannot be used by the next owner. Ask the customer to sign out of their Apple ID and erase the phone in front of you, then check that it starts at the setup screen without asking for the previous account.
Battery health
Settings, Battery, Battery Health shows the maximum capacity as a percentage. A low figure lowers the resale price and is worth noting next to the loan.
Screen and repairs
- Check the screen for cracks, dead pixels and touch problems.
- Recent iPhones can show a message in Settings when a part such as the screen or battery is not genuine. Note it: non-genuine parts usually lower the price.
- Test cameras, Face ID or Touch ID, speakers, microphone and charging.
IMEI
Dial *#06# or look in Settings, compare with the SIM tray, and check it in the lost and stolen database used in your country.
How PawnMeter helps
The clerk types the model, storage and condition, for example "iPhone 13 128GB". PawnMeter shows the median of real recent sales of that exact model and storage at participating shops, or says it has no comparable sales.
PawnMeter: Type the item. PawnMeter shows the resale price and a suggested loan, calculated only from what comparable items really sold for. When there is not enough data, it says so instead of guessing.
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