Galaxy S4 announcement generated Apple-like rush to trade-in older models

CompareMyMobile.com reported that Samsung’s announcement of the Galaxy S4 generated a 127 percent increase in valuation requests on older Samsung phones, and a 29 percent increase in trade-ins. The firm, which monitors over 40 recycling stores in the UK, said that these kind of numbers had only ever been seen before following iPhone announcements. Trade-in values from a range of sites after the break …

Although it’s a UK site, it’s likely there will be a very similar impact in the USA. Unsurprisingly, increased supply of older handsets on the market coupled to reduced demand as buyers eye the S4 drove down trade-in values across the Galaxy range, with a smaller impact on Notes.

If you’re planning to trade-in your S3, here are the valuations we obtained from a range of  US sites. All prices shown are for an unlocked phone in ‘like new’ condition with all original packaging and cables. Expect a 15-20% hit for an average condition handset without packaging. From a brief sampling, locked handsets didn’t impact values too greatly.

It’s not unknown for sites to ‘highball’ quotes, finding reasons to offer less once they actually examine the handset, so don’t necessarily expect to receive the full amount they quote.

Ebay no longer offers instant sales, so you’re in the lap of the gods with values, but you’re likely to get the best price – but of course with ebay fees and shipping to pay, and the risks associated with personal sales.

Glyde is an ebay-style site specialising in consumer electronics, so the same caveats apply. The site estimated $259.

Best Buy quoted $236, with payment in the form of a Best Buy gift card.

Amazon is showing a pretty consistent trade-in value of $210 for the S3, seemingly regardless of memory size. Payment is in the form of an Amazon gift card (which cannot be used on Amazon Wireless).

Gazelle offered $209, with payment via a choice of check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card, the latter offering 5% above quoted value.

Radio Shack quoted $150, with a choice of online or local store.

Nextworth quoted $114 for an S3, with payment in cash.

Verizon Wireless offered $108 as a Verizon Wireless gift card.

Craigslist is an online classified ad site. Prices vary tremendously, and sales are generally completed in-person for cash, with the risks inherent in that. Standard advice is to meet in a public place like a coffee-shop.