What To Do With Your Old Phone

Technology is in an incessant state of evolution and nothing could add credence to this quite like the smartphone industry. New phone models become outdated instantly as new offers with better features are introduced. The phone you bought a year ago will undoubtedly become obsolete this year or the next.

In the face of endless innovation, you are forced to replace your gadgets every now and then in an effort to keep up. Still, your old phone has to go somewhere. For sure, you wouldn’t want to throw it out.

There are other things you can do with your old phone that doesn’t involve contributing to the world’s landfill problem. Here are some of them.

Sell your phone online

You can profit off your old phone or at least get a good price for it by simply selling it online. Through platforms like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace, you can find interested buyers who won’t mind getting an old model. Just as long as your phone can still take pictures and make high-quality video calls, you can find someone who needs it.

On that note, it’s important to make sure your phone is still functional. For this, you can have it repaired while it is still in your possession. Cracked screens and damaged speakers are easily fixed if you get a professional phone repair service. Sure enough, you can find a good service center just about anywhere. In Michigan, for instance, there are companies offering cell phone repair Sterling Heights and Detroit residents can trust.

Donate your phone to someone who needs it

Another great way to repurpose your phone is to simply donate it to a charitable organization. Not only will your old smartphone be used by someone else, but you’re also doing your part along the lines of community service.

One such organization is Secure the Call, which is committed to helping seniors and victims of abuse. The non-profit aims to provide vulnerable sectors of society with a convenient means to communicate with police, first responders, and emergency services.

Use small parts for projects

If you’re itching to build a radio or remote control using the parts from your old phone, then you’re definitely on the right track. Your experience in electronics can be helpful in creating small-scale projects which you can use in everyday life.

There are several ways you can go about this. For one, you can convert your old phone into a battery charger by prying open the back of your phone and exposing the terminals. You can also use your old phone as a universal remote control.

Surrender the phone to a recycling plant

If you don’t want to use your phone’s parts, you can always turn it over to a proper recycling facility. For sure, some parts such as the gorilla glass and transistors can be repurposed by the same companies that manufacture them. The good thing about this is that it reduces waste. Plus, you also get cash in return, which is a win for you as much as it’s a win for the environment.