For buying and selling used phones, we’ve always preferred Swappa. It specializes in selling phones that have been approved by staff to make sure that you get a reliable phone, not a piece of junk. Now, this site is changing its fee structure.


Up until now, buyers have had to pay a flat $10 fee no matter what they buy. If you buy an old $50 G1 or a $1,000 new device, it cost the same. Now, Swappa’s changing this fee to adjust to the value of the phone sold. If you buy a more expensive device, you’ll pay a bigger fee.


For anyone buying a phone less than $300, this won’t change much. The fee for $100-300 phones is still $10, and anything less than that is actually a cheaper $5 fee. However, the more expensive the device, the more expensive the fee. As always, the fee is paid by the buyer, not the seller.

Swappa is quick to point out that its fees are still cheaper than its competitors. However, it’s not clear what (if any) benefit this new structure offers to consumers. You’re still getting the same service for a sometimes higher price. Still, it may be worth it to you to support a service that vets your phone, instead of risking the wilds of eBay or Craigslist.

Swappa Market Fees | Swappa via Android Police