How Much Is a Broken iPhone Worth? Fault-by-Fault Guide

A broken iPhone is worth its working value minus a separate deduction for each fault, so the value depends on which parts failed, not on how broken the phone looks. Display and logic board faults cost the most, camera and Face ID faults sit in the middle, and battery and charging port faults cost the least. A phone that does not power on is priced individually. Phones still locked to an Apple Account, or reported lost or stolen, are not accepted. Broken phones start on Sell Broken iPhone for Cash.

• Largest deductions: broken display, logic board failure, no power.
• Medium deductions: cameras, Face ID, back glass, speakers.
• Smallest deductions: battery below 80%, charging port.
• Not accepted: Activation Lock on, lost or stolen IMEI.

How do individual faults change the offer?

Individual faults change the offer by roughly the cost of each repair at volume rates. The table ranks the common faults by their typical deduction.

Fault	Relative deduction	Why
No power or logic board failure	Largest; priced individually	Board repair or parts-only value
Broken display (no picture or no touch)	Very large	Full display assembly replacement
Cracked screen, touch and picture working	Large	Display replacement
Face ID or Touch ID failure	Large	Paired parts that are hard to repair
Cracked back glass	Medium to large	Back panel or housing replacement
Rear camera failure or cracked lens	Medium	Camera module or lens cover replacement
Speaker or microphone fault	Medium	Module replacement
Charging port fault	Small to medium	Port flex replacement
Battery below 80% or Service message	Small	Battery replacement

Recent models carry larger dollar deductions, because their parts cost more, but they still keep more value after the deductions.

Why are Face ID faults expensive?

Face ID faults are expensive because the TrueDepth camera system is cryptographically paired with the phone's Secure Enclave, so a replacement from another phone does not restore Face ID without Apple's repair process. Many Face ID faults cannot be repaired economically outside Apple, which leaves the phone usable with a passcode but less valuable. Can You Sell an iPhone With Face ID Not Working? covers Face ID.

How do several faults combine?

Several faults combine by adding their deductions, up to the point where the phone is worth more for parts than as a repairable device. A recent Pro with a cracked screen and a weak battery receives 2 deductions and still keeps a meaningful share of its value. An older model with a broken display, failed Face ID and liquid damage reaches its parts value, and its offer reflects the working parts that remain.

Is a broken iPhone worth more than its parts?

A broken iPhone is worth more than its parts when a repair returns it to a sellable phone for less than its resale value. That is true for most recent models with 1 or 2 faults. It is worth only its parts when the repair cost exceeds the resale value, which happens with older models and with phones that have several major faults. Valuable parts include the display, rear cameras, battery, frame and Taptic Engine.

Situation	Value basis
Recent model, 1 or 2 faults	Repair and resale
Recent model, many faults	Repair or parts, whichever is higher
Older model, major fault	Parts value
Any model, Activation Lock on	No legitimate value

Which broken iPhones are not accepted?

Four kinds of broken iPhones are not accepted:

1. Activation Lock on: the phone and its parts cannot be reused until the owner removes it at icloud.com/find.
2. Reported lost or stolen: the phone belongs to someone else or to an insurer.
3. Swollen battery: the phone cannot be shipped safely; contact support first.
4. Counterfeit: fake iPhones have no resale value as Apple devices.

Swollen iPhone Battery: Safety Steps Before Selling explains the battery rule.

How do I test my iPhone for faults?

Test an iPhone for faults with 8 checks before the quote:

1. Display: show a white screen and look for lines, spots or dead areas.
2. Touch: drag an app icon slowly across the whole screen.
3. Face ID or Touch ID: lock and unlock the phone.
4. Cameras: switch through every rear lens and the front camera.
5. Speakers and microphones: record and play back a voice memo and a video.
6. Buttons: press volume, side and Action or ring/silent controls.
7. Charging: charge by cable and, on supported models, MagSafe.
8. Cellular: place a call before moving the line to the new phone.

What is a phone that won't power on worth?

A phone that won't power on is worth its parts and repair potential, which depends on the model and the inspection result. It cannot go through an instant quote, because none of the function tests can run. Recent models with intact displays keep meaningful value. Selling an iPhone That Won't Turn On: Your Options explains the individual quote process.

Does liquid damage change the value of a broken iPhone?

Liquid damage lowers the value of a broken iPhone further, because corrosion can spread to parts that still work, which reduces both repair and parts value. A phone that dried and passes testing carries only a small deduction. A phone with corrosion on the logic board is often worth parts value only. Can You Sell a Water-Damaged iPhone? explains liquid damage.

Should I repair a broken iPhone before selling?

Repairing a broken iPhone before selling is worth it only when the repair costs less than the deduction it removes, which is uncommon without AppleCare+. Volume repairers pay less for parts and labor than a retail repair costs. Aftermarket repairs can add an "Unknown Part" deduction. Where to Sell a Broken iPhone for Cash compares repair options.

How do model and storage affect a broken phone's value?

Model and storage affect a broken phone's value the same way they affect a working phone, because a repaired phone resells with its full specifications. A broken 1TB Pro Max keeps its storage premium after repair. Storage stops adding value only when the phone is sold for parts and the logic board is not reused. iPhone Resale Value by Model: Which Sell for the Most ranks the lines.

How do I prepare a broken iPhone for sale?

Prepare a broken iPhone for sale with 4 steps:

1. Back up the phone if it still works enough to do so.
2. Sign out of the Apple Account on the phone, or remove it remotely at icloud.com/find.
3. Erase it on the phone, or with Erase This Device at icloud.com/find.
4. Cover any cracked glass with tape and pack it in a rigid box.

How to Remove an iPhone From Your Apple Account Before You Sell covers remote removal.

Do broken iPhones sell better through a buyback or a marketplace?

Broken iPhones usually sell better through a buyback, because buyback companies repair in volume and price each fault precisely. eBay's "for parts or not working" listings reach repair buyers, but they carry fees of about 13%, shipping costs and disputes about the phone's state. Local repair shops pay on the spot but often offer less. Best Place to Sell iPhone for Cash: 6 Options Compared compares the options.

What happens to a broken iPhone after I sell it?

A broken iPhone is diagnosed, then repaired and resold, harvested for working parts or recycled. Repaired phones go back into service, which keeps them out of landfills. Parts from unrepairable phones fix other phones. The rest is processed by certified electronics recyclers. What Happens to Your iPhone After You Sell It follows the full path.

How quickly should I sell a broken iPhone?

Sell a broken iPhone quickly, because damage often gets worse and market value falls every month. Cracks spread, liquid corrosion spreads and swollen batteries grow. A 14-day quote locks the current offer. Best Time to Sell Your iPhone Before Prices Drop explains the annual price cycle.

Do broken buttons lower the offer?

Broken buttons lower the offer by a small to medium amount, because volume, side and Action buttons use flex cables that are replaced during repair. A stuck side button that prevents the phone from locking or restarting counts as a larger fault. Camera Control on the iPhone 16 and later is answered under the buttons question as well. Test every button before the quote.

Does a broken Taptic Engine or vibration motor matter?

A broken Taptic Engine, which produces vibration and haptic feedback, carries a medium deduction, because it is a separate part that must be replaced. A phone that no longer vibrates for calls or alerts, or that rattles when shaken, often has a Taptic Engine fault. Test it by switching the ring/silent switch or Action button and feeling for the vibration.

Does a broken Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection matter?

A broken Wi-Fi or Bluetooth connection carries a large deduction, because these radios are part of the logic board on recent iPhones and cannot be replaced as simple parts. A phone that shows a grayed-out Wi-Fi switch, or that cannot find any network, usually needs board-level repair. Test Wi-Fi and Bluetooth before erasing the phone.

Does a broken proximity sensor matter?

A broken proximity sensor, which turns the screen off during calls, carries a small to medium deduction. It is part of the front sensor assembly near the TrueDepth camera, so repairs must avoid damaging Face ID. Test it by placing a call and covering the top of the screen with a hand: the screen should turn off.

What if I am unsure which fault the phone has?

Answer the quote with the symptoms you can see, and choose the more serious answer when unsure. A technician confirms the cause during testing. If the result is better than expected, the phone is paid at the quoted amount; if worse, the seller sees the reason and chooses to accept a revised offer or receive the phone back at no cost.

Does a broken iPhone still need its IMEI checked?

A broken iPhone still has its IMEI checked before a label is sent, because a phone reported lost or stolen cannot be bought in any condition. The IMEI appears on the SIM tray of many models, the box and the Apple Account device list when the phone cannot show it.

Frequently asked questions about broken iPhone value

How much is a broken iPhone worth?

A broken iPhone is worth its working value minus a deduction for each fault, so the exact amount depends on the model, storage and which parts failed. Recent Pro models with 1 or 2 faults keep a large share of their value. Older models with major faults are worth their parts. Phones that do not power on are priced individually after inspection.

What is the most expensive iPhone fault?

A logic board failure or a phone that does not power on is the most expensive fault, because it requires a board-level repair or leaves only parts value. A broken display without picture or touch is the next most expensive, because the display is the costliest part. Face ID failures are also expensive, because the parts are paired and hard to repair.

Can I sell an iPhone for parts?

An iPhone can be sold for parts when it is removed from the Apple Account and not reported lost or stolen. A buyback company prices it based on its working parts, such as the display, cameras and battery. Activation-locked phones have no legitimate parts value, because recent iPhones pair key parts with the original device and its account.

Does a broken iPhone need to be erased?

A broken iPhone needs to be removed from the Apple Account and erased when possible. When the screen does not work, erase it remotely at icloud.com/find with Erase This Device, then choose Remove This Device to turn off Activation Lock. Removal works even if the phone never powers on again, and data stays encrypted with keys tied to the hardware.

Is it worth fixing a broken iPhone to sell it?

Fixing a broken iPhone to sell it is worth it only when the repair costs less than the deduction it removes, which is uncommon without AppleCare+. Buyback companies repair phones in volume at lower cost than retail. Compare a quote for the phone as is with the repair price and a quote for the repaired phone before booking any repair.

Sources and references

• Apple Support: iPhone repair and service pricing pages.
• Apple Support: "About genuine iPhone parts and service."
• Apple Platform Security Guide: Face ID and Secure Enclave pairing.
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): electronics recycling guidance.