If the imminent impact of prices you plan to upgrade your smartphone or laptop this year, what will you do with your old device?
A recent CNET survey reveals that more than three out of 10 American adults (31%) cling to former aircraft, because they don’t know what to do with smartphones, video game consoles, laptops and others Technological accessories They no longer use. Almost one in five American adults (19%) throw these devices. However, many prefer to exchange their old devices for an exchange or upgrade (37%), while 25% sell them.
With price should increase the prices of electronics, there are still means to save money on new technology, and Sell your old devices can help compensate for the cost. If your device is broken or too much exceeded to sell, experts recommend using an electronic recycling service to avoid polluting the environment, and materials like precious copper and aluminum can be reused.
Here is what the latest CNET survey has found on the way we, adults, we are Eliminate technology, they no longer want And advice for what you can do with yours.
The main dishes to remember:
- 31% of American adults still hold old technological devices because they don’t know what to do with them.
- 37% of Americans exchange or exchange their old devices, while 25% sell them.
- 29% use a recycling service to eliminate old technology, while 19% throw old aircraft in waste.
More than a third of us, adults, exchange or exchange their old technology
Many American adults (37%) negotiate smartphones, game devices, laptops and accessories for another device or upgrade. This can be useful if a retailer offers a discount on the new gadget in exchange for trade.
Other popular elimination methods include giving it to a loved one or recycling it. Some American adults even try to sell their devices, which can bring additional money. Here is a more in -depth examination of certain current elimination methods based on the CNET survey.
Find out more: Spring cleaning? Free expert technological recycling advice for a greener house
How to maximize the value of your smartphone exchange
A third of American adults negotiate their smartphones for an exchange or upgrade to reduce the price of a new one. Others use a recycling service Or give the old device. Here is a more in -depth look.
If you plan to exchange a former device, start with your phone operator, said Patrick Holland, CNET editor for mobile. Many manufacturers like Apple And Samsungwill associate with the carriers to offer high discounts on a new model when you exchange in an old one.
“These offers generally occur during the first month, a new phone is sold and can sometimes cover the full price-simply depends on the age and the condition that the telephone you exchange is,” he said. Some manufacturers can offer stronger discounts during the pre -order period before the release of a new phone, Holland added.
The more you wait to exchange your device, the less likely you are. For example, if you go to the iPhone 16, you may need an iPhone 12 Pro or a more recent model to get a full promotional offer. Check the negotiation requirements for your retailer to make sure your device is qualified.
More importantly, make sure your device works and is in good condition, with a minimum of scratches or cracks. You can also compare the commercial offers by obtaining estimates from different retailers and carriers for the best offer.
If your phone is not eligible for a trade offer, or if you think the offer is too low, plan to sell your phone. CNET experts recommend swappa, an online market to sell and buy used electronics. SWAPPA helps you fix your price fairly by comparing models and features similar to yours. But there are also other options to consider.
“I was very lucky on Ebay and Gazelle,” said Holland. “Selling a phone on eBay can involve a little work and take time, but you will generally have more money there.”
Similar gazelle and resale sites are generally faster than selling on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. But you can get less money for your device, said Holland. You can also exchange your technology with Best Buy Trade Program. And if the value of your device is too low, you can recycle it directly to the store.
On the other hand, if you are not trying to recover money from your old phone, many retailers and operators – such as Apple, Best Buy and AT&T – will recycle it for free. It is best to call the physical store to secure in advance. Holland also recommends giving your old phone to a charity, as Mobile phones for soldiersIf the phone is good, operating condition.
Find out more: Apple iPhone 16 exchange tips: get your next phone using your old
Many adults recycling us or offer old laptops and computers
According to figures, almost a quarter of American adults recycled their computer computers and accessories, while 18% give the old computer to family or friends. But 21% don’t know what to do with the computer.
There are a few options, but whatever you throw away, it is important to delete your personal data first.
Before recycling your laptop or giving it, the editor of CNET IT and Home Entertainment, Josh Goldman, recommends restoring it to its original condition to ensure that your sensitive data is suffered from the machine.
“Delete all the software you don’t use, delete unnecessary files and update the operating system,” said Goldman. “Save all your important files, note all the software you need – and find the license keys if you have paid it – and make a complete reset of the system to start again.”
Manufacturers generally offer free software for solid data deletion. Windows devices have a secure erasure option integrated into the system. Finish by blowing dust and debris with a compressed air box and cleaning the exterior with a cloth without danger for electronics.
For additional protection, Goldman suggests removing the hard drive or the semiconductor player from your computer and destroying it. “It is not necessary, but it is an additional peace of mind,” said Goldman. If this is not an option, it recommends resetting the laptop, then using software to erase the semiconductor or hard drive drive.
You are then free to offer or give your device. Many communities offer free recycling locations for free electronics. Goldman recommends starting your search with the Ministry of Public Works of your City or your County.
“If you don’t know where to start, use Earth911.comResearch. Just put your postal code and this will give you local options, “he said.
Many players choose to sell old consoles
When it comes to getting rid of unused video game systems, 17% of players prefer to sell their old consoles, followed by offering them to family or friends (16%). If you no longer use a video game system, the sale of your old console could earn you additional money. Just take some precautions.
Scott Stein, editor -in -chief of CNET as a whole, warns anyone selling a game console to a retailer to ensure that they get a fair price. You can also sell directly to buyers on Ebay and community groups like Facebook Marketplace and offer. He also recommends community groups like any other way to sell.
When determining the price, assess the resale value and the condition of your accessories and your console. You can also see what other sellers assess their consoles to determine a fair price. Finally, think about the value of your games and their rarity – this could increase the value of your console.
Before selling or offering a video game console, reset all content and account settings. More importantly, delete all the credit card payment information that you may have stored on the contact details of your account. Most consoles have a reset parameter easy to facilitate to facilitate the erasure of your data.
Other ways to recycle old technology
Always in the grip where to get rid of the devices you no longer want? The main office supplies stores like Staples and Office Depot offer recycling services, as is Best Buy. Some stores even offer store credits in exchange for your old technology.
Check the list of items accepted before going to the store. For example, larger monitors can be recycled for $ 20 to StaplesAnd although most personal technologies are accepted, medical devices and televisions are some items that are not.
Methodology
CNET instructed Yougov Plc to conduct the investigation. All figures, unless otherwise indicated, come from Yougov Plc. The total size of the sample was 2511 adults. The field work was undertaken from March 26 to 28, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all American adults (aged 18 and over).
