Sell a water-damaged phone
A phone that took a swim can still be worth real money, whether it came back to life or not. What it sells for depends on one question: does it still work? Here’s how to tell where yours stands and how to sell it.
Prices updated October 26, 2026
What water-damaged phones sell for
If it powers on and mostly works, it’s priced as damaged. If it won’t power on, it sells for parts. Ranges are this week’s, from the price guide.
| Model | DamagedCracked or damaged | PartsParts or locked |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 Pro MaxiPhone 17 Pro Max | $525–$660 | $200–$210 |
| iPhone 17iPhone 17 | $270–$325 | $75–$85 |
| iPhone 16 Pro MaxiPhone 16 Pro Max | $340–$385 | $160–$170 |
| iPhone 15 Pro MaxiPhone 15 Pro Max | $275–$315 | $115–$125 |
| iPhone 15iPhone 15 | $180–$215 | $60–$70 |
| iPhone 14 Pro MaxiPhone 14 Pro Max | $180–$240 | $90–$100 |
| iPhone 13iPhone 13 | $115–$140 | $40–$50 |
| iPhone 12iPhone 12 | $55–$85 | $25–$35 |
| iPhone 11iPhone 11 | $35–$70 | $30–$40 |
| Galaxy S25 UltraSamsung Galaxy S25 Ultra | $200–$210 | $80–$90 |
| Galaxy S24 UltraSamsung Galaxy S24 Ultra | $160–$170 | $80–$90 |
| Galaxy S23Samsung Galaxy S23 | $60–$70 | $30–$40 |
Damaged or parts only?
If the phone turns on and mostly works, even with a faulty speaker, camera or charging port, it sells as damaged: a buyer can repair it. If it won’t power on at all, it sells for parts, and buyers pay for the screen, housing and cameras that are likely still good.
Water damage can get worse over the following days as corrosion sets in, so if it still works, it’s worth selling sooner rather than later.
The water indicator
Phones have a small liquid contact indicator, usually in the SIM tray slot, that changes colour once it gets wet. Repairers and buyers check it, so say whether yours is tripped. Every listing here asks, and an honest answer keeps a sale from turning into a dispute.
Right after it gets wet
Turn it off, don’t charge it, and let it dry out somewhere with airflow. Apple advises against putting an iPhone in rice, since grains and starch can get inside. Then check what still works before you list it.
Prices by model
- iPhone 11damaged $35–$70 · parts $30–$40
- iPhone 12damaged $55–$85 · parts $25–$35
- iPhone 13damaged $115–$140 · parts $40–$50
- iPhone 13 Pro Maxdamaged $180–$225 · parts $45–$55
- iPhone 14damaged $120–$145 · parts $50–$60
- iPhone 14 Pro Maxdamaged $180–$240 · parts $90–$100
- iPhone 15damaged $180–$215 · parts $60–$70
- iPhone 15 Pro Maxdamaged $275–$315 · parts $115–$125
- iPhone 16damaged $235–$280 · parts $45–$55
- iPhone 16 Pro Maxdamaged $340–$385 · parts $160–$170
- iPhone 17 Pro Maxdamaged $525–$660 · parts $200–$210
- Galaxy S22 Ultradamaged $80–$90 · parts $30–$40
- Galaxy S23damaged $60–$70 · parts $30–$40
- Galaxy S23 Ultradamaged $95–$105 · parts $45–$55
- Galaxy S24 Ultradamaged $160–$170 · parts $80–$90
- Galaxy S25 Ultradamaged $200–$210 · parts $80–$90
How to sell it
01Sign out of your account first
If it turns on, back it up, sign out of your Apple Account or Google account and erase it. If it doesn’t, remove it from your account online: on iCloud.com under Find Devices, or under Security in your Google account. A phone still tied to your account can only sell for parts.
02Test what still works
Screen, touch, charging, speakers, microphone, cameras and Face ID or the fingerprint reader. List what works and what doesn’t; each working part adds to the price.
03Check the water indicator
Look in the SIM tray slot with a light. Say whether it’s tripped; buyers will check.
04Have the IMEI ready
Dial *#06#, or read it from the SIM tray or the box. It’s checked privately before your listing goes live and never shown to buyers, so keep it out of your photos.
How conditions are graded here: grading guide.
Sell it on Honest Phones
Any condition, 3% seller fee, no listing fees. Every IMEI is checked before a listing goes live, and the buyer's payment is held until they accept the phone.
Common questions
Can I sell a water-damaged phone?
Yes. If it still works it sells as damaged; if it won’t turn on it sells for parts. Either way, say it got wet and whether the water indicator is tripped.
Is a water-damaged phone that won’t turn on worth anything?
Yes, for parts. The screen, housing, cameras and other parts are often still good, and repair shops buy them. The price guide shows the parts-only range for each model.
Should I put a wet phone in rice?
Apple advises against it: grains and starch can get inside the phone. Turn it off, don’t charge it, and let it dry with airflow instead.
Do I have to say the phone was wet?
Yes. Every listing asks about liquid damage and the water indicator. Leaving it out is how a sale ends in a return: the buyer has 72 hours to inspect the phone, and a tripped indicator is easy to spot.