A phone's resale price is set from the new price, not from what you paid. Take the current floor price for the same model in our comparison tool, subtract 30–40% for two years of use, then adjust for condition. It is the only method that survives negotiation.
We do not track used transactions: advertised prices are not selling prices. The method below therefore uses the new price as a floor, which gives a cautious estimate.
Why new is the only anchor
A buyer always compares your phone with what is available new in a shop. If an iPhone 13 is available new or from old stock at DZD 55,000, your used unit at DZD 68,000 will not sell, even if you paid DZD 90,000 two years ago.
The price you paid belongs to the past. Current value depends on what the buyer can get elsewhere, with a warranty. That is harsh, but it is how the market works.
The four depreciation factors
The first is age. A 25–30% drop per year is common on Android, less on iPhone. The second is the battery: below 85%, the buyer negotiates the cost of replacement.
The third is physical condition: scratches, chips, a replaced screen. A screen replaced with a non-original part costs DZD 15,000 to 25,000 on a mid-range model. The fourth is box and invoice: without them confidence falls and the price with it.
What costs you the most
A phone locked to an account is worth nothing. Before posting, disable Find My iPhone or remove the Google account, then reset the device. A buyer who discovers a lock on the spot cancels the sale or offers half.
A tired battery you did not mention costs more in trust than in dinars. State the real percentage: an informed buyer negotiates, a surprised one leaves.
Preparing the device
Clean the screen and ports, remove the case and the worn screen protector. Photograph all four sides, the screen on, and the settings screen showing capacity and battery health. An honest listing sells faster than a flattering one.
Gather the box, cable, invoice and, if possible, the remaining warranty. Those items justify DZD 5,000 to 10,000 more on a DZD 70,000 phone.
Where to sell
A direct sale to an individual gives the best price, but takes time and exposes you to haggling. A shop trade-in is faster, with a 15–25% discount. Consignment splits the difference.
Avoid online buy-back offers that require shipping the phone before payment. In Algeria, hand-to-hand delivery remains the norm, in a public place, with a test in front of you.
Setting the asking price
List 10 to 15% above the price you will accept, to leave room to negotiate. A round number, such as DZD 45,000, sells faster than DZD 47,500. State the battery health, the capacity and whether the box is included in the listing: buyers filter on those three points before calling.
Verdict
Set your price 30–40% below new for a two-year-old model, 50% for three years. Unlock the device, show the battery, keep the invoice. If no offer exceeds 60% of the new price after three weeks, your price is too high: cut DZD 5,000 rather than let the listing age.
