If you are planning to upgrade your iPhone, the awkward part is always the same: what do you do with the old one, and how do you avoid losing value while you wait for the new phone to arrive?
That is why I like using Gazelle as a fallback option. You can lock in a trade-in quote, keep using your phone for the moment, and still have the freedom to sell it somewhere else if you find a better offer.
Quick Answer
The best way to get more out of a Gazelle trade-in is to lock in your quote as early as possible, accurately choose your phone’s condition, check whether Gazelle pays more for an unlocked iPhone, and pick the payment method that gives you the best return.
In the example I walked through, Gazelle offered a higher amount for an unlocked iPhone and also gave extra value for choosing an Amazon gift card instead of PayPal or a check. Those details can change, so always compare the options on the quote page before you complete the trade-in.
Why Lock In Early
Gazelle quotes are useful because they give you a set price for a period of time. In the video, Gazelle had extended its normal 30-day lock-in window through October 10, 2015 because a new iPhone launch was expected.
That specific promotion was time-limited, but the idea still matters. Trade-in prices usually drop as new phones get announced and older models become less valuable. If you know you are going to upgrade soon, getting a quote early gives you more options.
You are not locked into selling to Gazelle just because you request a quote. If a friend, family member, or local buyer offers more money later, you can still take that better deal. The Gazelle quote is there as a backup.
Choosing The Right Device
The Gazelle process starts by selecting your device type, model, carrier, storage size, and condition. In my example, I used an AT&T iPhone 5s with 32 GB of storage.
Condition matters because it directly affects the offer. Gazelle usually separates phones into categories like flawless, good, and broken or cracked. Be honest here. If you mark a phone as flawless and Gazelle sees scratches or wear, they do not automatically reject it. They can email you with a revised offer.
That revised offer is not forced on you. You can accept it, or you can decline and have the device returned. That is one of the reasons I find the service easier than dealing with a private sale.
Unlocked Can Pay More
One important detail from this walkthrough is that Gazelle was paying more for unlocked iPhones. In the example, the regular base price for the phone was lower than the unlocked price.
An unlocked iPhone can be used more flexibly across carriers, which can make it more valuable for resale. If Gazelle shows a separate unlocked price, it is worth checking whether your carrier will unlock your device before you send it in.
For AT&T, the process shown was a web-based device unlock request. You did not need to visit a store. You submitted the request online and waited for the approval email.
Finding The IMEI
To submit an AT&T unlock request, you need your phone number, account details, and the phone’s IMEI number. The IMEI is the unique identifier for that specific phone.
On an iPhone, you can find it by opening Settings, going to General, then About, and scrolling down until you see IMEI. It is a long number broken into sections.
The AT&T form also asked for the account holder’s name, email address, the last four digits of the Social Security number, and the account passcode if one was set. In the walkthrough, AT&T said the unlock approval could take up to about four days.
- Open Settings on the iPhone
- Tap General
- Tap About
- Scroll to IMEI
- Enter that number in the carrier unlock form
Payment Options
Gazelle offered several payment choices in the walkthrough: Amazon gift card, PayPal, check, or donation to charity.
The Amazon gift card option included an extra 5 percent at the time, which could add a meaningful amount on top of the trade-in price. PayPal was the option I usually chose because it was fast once Gazelle received and inspected the phone.
This is one of those places where you should pause before clicking through. The best payment method depends on whether you care more about speed, cash flexibility, or the highest total value.
Shipping The Phone
After choosing payment, Gazelle lets you pick a shipping method. In the video, the options included having Gazelle send a box and prepaid label, or printing a shipping label yourself.
If you are not in a rush, having Gazelle send the box is simple. If you want to move quickly, printing the label may be better. Either way, Gazelle walks you through the address confirmation and final trade-in summary.
One nice thing is that you are selling the phone, not all of your accessories. You can keep your cables and other extras unless Gazelle specifically asks for something different.
Before You Send It
Before mailing an iPhone, turn off Find My iPhone. If you do not, the reset process can fail or the phone may still be tied to your Apple ID.
After Find My iPhone is off, erase the phone using the reset option in Settings. I also usually remove the SIM card, especially if I am moving it into the new iPhone.
Once Gazelle receives the device, they inspect it. If it matches the condition you selected, they send payment using the method you chose. Gazelle also emails updates as the device moves through the process.
Key Takeaways
- Lock in a Gazelle quote early if you are planning to upgrade soon.
- You can request a quote without being forced to sell to Gazelle.
- Choose the phone condition honestly, because Gazelle may revise the offer after inspection.
- Check whether an unlocked iPhone gets a higher trade-in price.
- Compare payment options, since gift cards may offer more value while PayPal may be faster.
- Turn off Find My iPhone, erase the phone, and remove the SIM before shipping it.
Watch the Video
The video above above for the full walkthrough of the Gazelle quote process, payment choices, shipping options, and the AT&T iPhone unlock request form.
