How to trade in your old Pixel, Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL phones

If you want to buy the Google Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL without paying full price, trading in your old Pixel is a smart way to do that. But, to get the most value out of your phone, you'd better trade it later. Google Pixel Gold Google Pixel 2 phone will greatly diminish.

When the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are announced, they will decide whether they will follow suit or not. If you've got an older model, then you're ready to sell.

Inspect your phone

If your old device is in good condition, you should not have much of a problem finding a new owner. As mentioned in our guide on selling your iPhone, it is crucial to find a buyer who is willing to pay the top dollar.

Even if your phone is not in the best shape, you should still be able to get something for your trade. Take into consideration its blemishes, including scratches, teeth, cracks, and any other quirks that the next owner should know about. Be honest, or else it will probably come back to you.

Erase your phone

If your Pixel or Pixel 2 has the most up-to-date Android Pie software, click here to open your browser, then to "Google services and preferences." drill down another level, then hit "security." Scroll down until you see "your devices," then click the device you're using and select "remove."

The next step is to reset the phone. Back to the main menu, select "system" and then hit "advanced" at the bottom. If you plan to restore your phone on the Pixel 3 or 3 XL, make sure you've gone back to Google Drive recently. Otherwise, going into "reset options" will take you to the final step. Select "erase all data (factory reset)" to completely wipe the device's storage.

Find the best offer

How to sell your old Pixel phone, Swappa.com is a top pick with a healthy community of buyers and sellers. At the time of this writing, you're here for more than just the most other places. And unlike selling IRL through Craigslist, Swappa.com protects both ends of the transaction with PayPal.

Google's own trade-in program can be accessed during the checkout process for a new phone. Put it plainly, but it's a good option if your phone is not in the best shape, or if you're willing to settle for a smaller return for exchange for immediate cash back.

Photo by Sean O'Kane / The Verge

For the original Pixel in good condition with 32GB of storage, you're looking for up to $ 200 in your pocket, Swappa.com. If you own the 128GB model, add another $ 50 or so to that. No matter the model you're selling back, if you're getting paid for it, it's going to be a little less expensive than that.

Selling on Google via its trade-in program will get you a flat $ 130 for the 32GB or 128GB model, regardless of carrier. Should your device be cracked or have a malfunctioning screen, Google will give you up to $ 105.

The selling price for the Pixel XL on Swappa.com currently runs around $ 230 for the 32GB model in good condition, and works up to just about $ 270 for the 128GB version. Again, Verizon's locked bootloader affects the trade-in value here, as it does for the smaller pixels.

Contrary to the trend on Swappa.com, Google will pay you more if you sell back to Pixel XL that was purchased at Verizon. Trading up with Google offers $ 153 for the 32GB model from Verizon, or $ 183 for the 128GB on Verizon. If your phone is not from Verizon, the 32GB model will fetch $ 143, and the 128GB version will get you $ 171. Should your 32GB trade-in be malfunction, you'll get up to $ 110. $ 123 is headed your way for a slightly damaged 128GB model.

Photo by James Bareham / The Verge

Google does not currently accept the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL for trade, but we expect this to change following the Pixel 3's announcement on October 9th.

Heading over to Swappa.com, you're lucky to get around $ 400 in cash if your Pixel 2 is in good shape. There are currently only a few 128GB models listed, so you have to trade, it still holds close to $ 500 in value. Verizon-sold Pixel 2 is not worth, but you're only looking at a $ 20-50 difference in trade-in yield.

The Pixel 2 XL, in the past year, based on Swappa.com's current set of listings. While you're trading, it's great if you're a buyer. If you trade in now, you can get just over $ 400 for your 64GB Pixel 2 XL. For a 128GB in good condition, you're looking for a $ 500 return. It's not particularly surprising to see that the white and black Pixel 2 XL fetches a higher price due to the shortages of this model at launch.