How smartphone trade-in valuations work in Fairphone's Reuse and Recycle Program
Understand how our recycling partner calculates trade-in quotes for your old smartphone. This guide explains how long your offer remains valid, what determines the final value, and how to handle a revised quotation after physical inspection.
What determines your trade-in quote
We want to reward Fairphone owners who extend the life of their smartphones. Our Reuse and Recycle Program offers buyback prices that reflect the practical value of your phone.
Trade-in values depend on the brand, model, and physical condition of your smartphone:
- Reusable smartphones that can be refurbished or repaired carry a higher market value.
- Recyclable smartphones that are non-functional, severely damaged, or outdated carry zero monetary value (€0). The value of a recyclable phone comes solely from the raw materials we can recover.
If you find yourself with a device that has a €0 value, we encourage you to consider local recycling options. Doing so avoids the carbon emissions of shipping a single device to our recycling partner.
How long your quotation remains valid
Your initial online quotation is valid for 28 days.
Our recycling partner will email you a new quotation if they receive your smartphone after the 28-day deadline expires, as your phone is subject to updated market prices. You will also receive a new quotation if the declared condition of your smartphone does not match the results of their physical inspection.
How to handle a revised quotation
If you receive a new quotation by email, you can choose to accept or reject the updated price. The process will pause until you make your decision.
- To accept the new quotation: Reply to the email to resume the trade-in process. We will issue a Fairphone Gift Card for the updated value. This new quotation remains valid for 28 days.
- To reject the new quotation: Decline the offer by email. We will cancel the trade-in and ship the smartphone back to you free of charge.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do if my gift card does not arrive after two weeks?
If more than two weeks have passed since you posted your package and your gift card has not arrived, please check your spam folder first. If you still cannot find your email after two weeks, contact our Fairphone Customer Support team so we can look into this for you.
What if I do not want to receive a gift card?
Our program processes trade-ins exclusively through a gift card system. If you do not wish to receive a gift card, please recycle your phone locally at a municipal electronic waste point instead.
Still need help?
If you still require assistance, reach out to our customer support team. You can also open a support request directly through the My Fairphone app pre-installed on your device.