A cracked screen does not always mean your phone is worthless. It does mean the quote needs to be based on the real condition of the device, not just the model name.
Small scratches, deep cracks, back glass damage and touch problems are treated differently. The more detail you give at the quote stage, the easier it is to avoid delays once the phone is checked.
Here is what to look at before you sell a phone with screen damage.
First, check what kind of damage it has
Start with the screen itself. A light surface mark is not the same as a crack across the glass. A single corner crack is not the same as a screen that has lifted, shows lines, or no longer responds properly.
Before you get a quote, check:
- whether the glass is cracked or only scratched
- whether the touch screen still works across the whole display
- whether there are black spots, green lines or flickering
- whether Face ID, fingerprint unlock or the front camera still works
- whether the back glass, camera lens or frame is also damaged
If the screen is cracked but the phone still turns on, charges and works normally, it may still have value. If the display is blank or the phone cannot be tested, the assessment is likely to be stricter.
Be honest about the condition
It can be tempting to choose a better condition and hope a crack is treated as minor wear. That usually slows things down.
The condition you choose should match what arrives. If the phone has a cracked screen, damaged back glass, charging fault or account lock, say so before sending it. A clear condition choice makes the quote easier to confirm and reduces the chance of a revised offer.
For a wider guide to condition checks, see our article on how to get the best price when you sell your phone.
Account locks matter as much as the crack
A cracked screen is one problem. An account lock is another.
Before sending your phone, remove iCloud, Find My iPhone, Samsung account locks, Google locks and any screen passcode. If the phone is locked to an account, it may not be possible to assess or reuse properly.
If the screen damage makes it hard to remove your account, try connecting a keyboard, mouse or external display if your device supports it. If you cannot remove the lock, mention that before you send the phone.
Back up and erase your data
Back up anything you want to keep before wiping the phone. Once the device is assessed, you should not expect to recover photos, messages, banking apps or authentication codes from it.
If the phone still works, do a factory reset after removing accounts. If the screen is too damaged to use, make a note of what you were able to do and keep any proof that the account was removed remotely.
Some damage affects value more than others
Screen damage is not the only thing that changes value. A phone with a cracked screen, bent frame and camera fault will be treated differently from a phone with only a small glass crack.
Battery health can also matter, especially on iPhones. Charging faults, speaker faults and microphone issues should be declared too. The goal is not to make the phone sound worse than it is. It is to make sure the quote reflects the device clearly.
Our phone depreciation guide explains why condition, age and demand all affect what a phone is worth.
Pack it properly before posting
A cracked screen can get worse in transit if the phone is loose in the parcel. Wrap the device, protect the corners and use a box or padded packaging rather than a thin envelope.
Remove the SIM card, case and memory card before sending it. Do not include accessories unless you have been asked to.
SellMobile provides a prepaid Royal Mail label with up to ÂŖ150 insurance. If your phone is worth more than ÂŖ150, we advise using Royal Mail Special Delivery so the full value of the device is covered in transit.
Check the quote before deciding
If the phone is sitting unused because the screen is cracked, it is worth checking the value rather than guessing.
Start with sell my mobile if you want the main quote flow, or use how much is my phone worth if you want to compare the factors that affect value first.
Choose the exact model, storage and condition. If the phone has a cracked screen, describe it clearly. That gives you the cleanest route to a fair quote and a smoother assessment.
