Apple is expected to release new iPhones tomorrow, but many of us can't afford an upgrade unless we sell our old devices.
Whether you believe that the iPhone 6s will come in rose gold, be capable of shooting video in 4K, or that the Force Touch may be with you, it's very likely that on Sept. 9, Tim Cook will be on a stage at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium holding Apple's latest gadget.
But before you place your order and start dreaming of a shiny new phone on which to speak to a smarter Siri and take advantage of all the other things iOS 9 promises, here's how to ditch your old iPhone. Remember that before you sell your phone, you should take care of things such as backing it up and wiping the data from the phone itself.
We've found plenty of places that will give you cash for your soon-to-be-unwanted phone. The compensation you can expect varies by size, carrier, and storage capacity though, so as a guide, we looked at prices for a gold 64GB iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in good condition on AT&T and Verizon. Here are some sample prices from Best Buy, GameStop, Gazelle, Glyde, NextWorth, and Usell, though the carriers offer trade-in programs, too.
As with all things in life, timing is everything. You'll likely get a better price for your phone before Sept. 9, since most people aren't organized and won't bother trying to sell or trade in until after the launch, upping the supply of older models and consequently decreasing the price you can fetch for yours.
Of course, if you sell your iPhone before it arrives in stores, you won't have a phone. Not to worry; a number of trade-in sites, including NextWorth, will guarantee their price for several weeks. Gazelle is also offering a best-price guarantee through Sept. 9. That means it will give you at least $1 more than your carrier or Apple will to trade in your phone.
The prices above are for phones in "good" condition; if your phone has a cracked screen or met its demise in your toilet or sink, try eBay, where those who want your phone for its parts are willing to pay much more than you might think.