Yes, you can sell a phone with a cracked screen. Techtree buys phones, Apple Watches and iPads with a cracked screen, cracked back glass, a cracked camera lens or a battery below 80 percent, as long as the device powers on and that is its only problem. That is our Minor Damage grade, and it pays real money: as of September 23, 2026, Techtree pays up to $200 for a cracked iPhone 16, up to $370 for a cracked iPhone 17 Pro Max, and up to $205 for a cracked iPad Pro 11-inch (M4).
You do not need to fix it first. On the iPhones, Apple Watches and iPads compared below, Apple's out-of-warranty repair fee is higher than what the repair would add to your Techtree offer.
At a glance (Techtree, September 23, 2026):
- Techtree buys cracked, worn and weak-battery phones, Apple Watches and iPads as they are, with a free prepaid shipping label and a price locked for 21 days.
- One issue (a cracked screen with a working display, cracked back glass, a cracked camera lens, battery health below 80 percent, or one faulty button, speaker or microphone) is Techtree's Minor Damage grade.
- Two issues, display lines or dead spots, water damage, or a device that will not power on is Techtree's Broken grade, which pays less.
- A Minor Damage iPhone sells to Techtree for roughly 34 to 48 percent of its Good-condition price; Galaxy, Pixel, Apple Watch and iPad for roughly 17 to 31 percent.
- Apple charges $279 to fix the screen on an iPhone 13, 14, 15 or 16, more than the repair adds to a Techtree offer for any of those models.
What counts as minor damage?
Techtree grades damage by how many things are wrong, not how bad the crack looks. One issue is Minor Damage. Two issues, or any of the serious faults at the bottom of the table, is Broken.
| Damage | Techtree grade | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cracked front screen, display and touch work normally | Minor Damage | Hairline or spiderweb, as long as the picture is clean and every part of the screen responds |
| Cracked back glass | Minor Damage | Counts as one issue on its own |
| Cracked camera lens | Minor Damage | Tell us in the quote; Apple treats it as a separate repair from the back glass |
| Battery health below 80 percent | Minor Damage | Only when it is the one issue |
| One faulty button, speaker or microphone | Minor Damage | Everything else must work |
| Deep scratches, dents or heavy wear, no cracks | Fair (not damage) | Worth more than Minor Damage, see Fair |
| Cracked screen and cracked back, or a crack and a battery below 80 percent | Broken | Two issues |
| Lines, black spots, dead pixels or a screen that ignores touch | Broken | The display panel itself is damaged, not just the glass |
The full criteria for every grade are on our grading page. If you are not sure between two grades, choose the one that matches the most serious issue. If the device arrives different from what you chose, you get a revised offer to accept or decline before anything changes.
Check your screen, back glass and battery
It takes about two minutes, and it tells you which grade to choose.
The screen: glass crack or display damage?
A crack in the glass and damage to the display underneath are different problems. Samsung puts it plainly: black spots, ink-like marks or lines mean the internal display panel may be damaged even when the glass is not cracked, and that damage can spread.
- Open a plain white screen (a blank note or a white web page) at full brightness. Look for lines, black or colored spots, and patches that stay dark.
- Press and drag an app icon slowly across every part of the screen, including the corners and the area under the cracks. If the icon drops or stops anywhere, touch is failing there.
- Clean picture and full touch: it is a glass crack, Minor Damage. Lines, spots or dead touch: the display is damaged, which is Broken.
The back glass and camera lens
Turn the phone over under a bright light. A crack in the glass back is one issue. A crack in the small glass over a camera is a separate one, so check the lenses too; Apple prices rear camera damage separately from back glass damage.
The battery
Battery health, which Apple calls Maximum Capacity, is how much charge the battery holds compared with when it was new. Below 80 percent is where Apple considers a battery worn: iPhone 14 and earlier are designed to keep 80 percent at 500 full charge cycles, and iPhone 15 and later at 1000. If you see Service next to Battery Health, Apple suggests replacing the battery.
| Device | Where to find battery health |
|---|---|
| iPhone 15 and later | Settings, Battery, Battery Health |
| iPhone 14 and earlier | Settings, Battery, Battery Health & Charging |
| Apple Watch | Settings, Battery, Battery Health |
| iPad Pro (M4, M5), iPad Air (M2 and later), iPad mini (A17 Pro), iPad (A16) | Settings, Battery, Battery Health |
| Pixel 8a and later | Settings, Battery, Battery health ("Reduced" means below 80 percent) |
| Samsung Galaxy | Samsung Members, then Phone diagnostics, then Battery status |
How much is a cracked phone worth?
These are Techtree's own "up to" prices for the best configuration of each model, checked September 23, 2026. Tap a model to open its quote with Minor Damage already selected; the model page shows every storage size, carrier and condition.
How much is a cracked iPhone worth?
| iPhone | Good, up to | Minor Damage, up to | Minor Damage share |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | $180 | $62 | 34% |
| iPhone 14 | $247 | $83 | 34% |
| iPhone 15 | $322 | $115 | 36% |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $525 | $201 | 38% |
| iPhone 16 | $444 | $200 | 45% |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $593 | $282 | 48% |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $704 | $278 | 39% |
| iPhone 17 | $587 | $217 | 37% |
| iPhone 17 Pro | $813 | $360 | 44% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max | $940 | $370 | 39% |
Every iPhone we buy is on our iPhone buyback page.
How much is a cracked Samsung Galaxy or Google Pixel worth?
| Phone | Good, up to | Minor Damage, up to | Minor Damage share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S25 | $315 | $68 | 22% |
| Galaxy S25 Ultra | $549 | $157 | 29% |
| Pixel 9 | $240 | $50 | 21% |
| Pixel 9 Pro | $296 | $58 | 20% |
More models are on our Samsung and Google Pixel pages.
How much is a cracked Apple Watch worth?
| Apple Watch | Good, up to | Minor Damage, up to | Minor Damage share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Watch Series 9 | $108 | $21 | 19% |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | $150 | $44 | 29% |
| Apple Watch Series 11 | $277 | $70 | 25% |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $226 | $48 | 21% |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3 | $323 | $56 | 17% |
Every watch we buy is on our Apple Watch buyback page.
How much is an iPad with a cracked screen worth?
| iPad | Good, up to | Minor Damage, up to | Minor Damage share |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPad (10th generation) | $208 | $42 | 20% |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M2) | $417 | $109 | 26% |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M3) | $409 | $118 | 29% |
| iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) | $670 | $205 | 31% |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro) | $355 | $74 | 21% |
Every iPad we buy is on our iPad buyback page.
Techtree prices checked September 23, 2026, in USD. "Up to" is the best configuration for each grade, so the Good and Minor Damage figures can come from different storage sizes; the share is the Minor Damage figure divided by the Good figure, rounded. Prices change daily. The trade-in price index lists every model we buy.
Should you fix a cracked screen before selling?
Usually not. For the models below, Apple's out-of-warranty repair fee is more than the repair would add to your Techtree offer. The "adds" column is the difference between our Good and Minor Damage prices for that model: the most a repair could move the offer.
| Device | Apple out-of-warranty fee | What a repair adds to a Techtree offer |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 screen | $279 | up to $118 |
| iPhone 14 screen | $279 | up to $164 |
| iPhone 15 screen | $279 | up to $207 |
| iPhone 16 screen | $279 | up to $244 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max screen | $379 | up to $324 |
| Apple Watch Series 11 (titanium), cracked display | $399 | up to $207 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 3, cracked display | $499 | up to $267 |
| iPad Air 11-inch (M3), cracked screen | $529 | up to $291 |
| iPad mini (A17 Pro), cracked screen | $429 | up to $281 |
Apple fees are Apple's published US out-of-warranty estimates, checked September 23, 2026; Apple notes that tax may apply and that Authorized Service Providers set their own fees. For Apple Watch and iPad, Apple lists an "Other damage" fee rather than a screen-only repair. Links are in the sources below.
Three more reasons selling as is tends to win:
- A cheap repair does not get you the Good price. Techtree's Good and Fair grades require all original parts. Apple itself warns that a part iPhone cannot verify shows as an "Unknown part" in Settings, General, About, Parts and Service History, and that it "might affect the trade-in value" of the device. A non-genuine display can also bring touch dead zones and color problems.
- You keep the phone until it ships. A repair means days without it, or a trip to a store. With a Techtree quote you keep using the phone until you pack it, and the price stays locked for 21 days.
- The fee is only part of the cost. Tax, shipping to a repair center, and the risk that the repair uncovers a second problem all come out of the same small margin.
The newest Pro Max models are the exception to watch: the gap between their Good and Minor Damage prices is larger, so compare the numbers on your model page before you book anything.
Cracked back glass: sell it as it is
Cracked back glass on its own is one issue, so it is Minor Damage, the same grade as a cracked screen. On the iPhone 13, 13 Pro, 13 Pro Max, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max, Apple's out-of-warranty back glass repair costs $399 to $609, more than double what the repair adds to a Techtree offer for those models ($118 to $263, prices checked September 23, 2026).
Two things to know:
- Front and back both cracked is two issues, which is Broken. It still sells, for less; the model page shows the Broken price.
- A cracked camera lens is separate from the back glass. If only the lens cover is cracked, that is your one issue.
Battery health below 80 percent
A battery below 80 percent is the most common reason a phone that looks perfect is not in Good condition. At Techtree, a battery below 80 percent as the only issue is Minor Damage, and you can sell the phone as it is.
- Check it first with the table above. If Maximum Capacity is 80 percent or higher and the phone is otherwise clean, choose Good or Fair instead.
- A crack plus a worn battery is two issues, which is Broken, so check both.
- Mind non-genuine batteries. A battery fitted outside Apple's genuine parts program can show as an unknown part in Parts and Service History, just like a screen.
- A swollen battery is different. If the screen is lifting or the back is bulging, do not ship the device; see the safety note below.
Cracked Apple Watch or iPad
Apple does not list a screen-only repair price for the Apple Watch or iPad. It lists an "Other damage" service fee instead: $199 to $549 across the current Apple Watch lineup, and $379 to $1,149 across current iPads. Apple's own safety guidance also says not to use a damaged Apple Watch, such as one with a cracked screen or case.
That is why a cracked watch or iPad is almost always worth more sold as it is. Our tables above show the Minor Damage price for each; if you are selling a watch, our Apple Watch reset guide shows how to remove Activation Lock before you ship it, which matters as much as the crack.
Is it safe to ship a cracked phone?
Yes, with two precautions:
- Cover cracked glass with clear packing tape so loose shards stay put, and pack the device snugly in the box. Apple advises against using an iPhone with cracked glass because it can cause injury, so handle it with care.
- Do not ship a swollen battery. US postal rules prohibit mailing damaged or defective lithium batteries. If your device has a swollen battery, contact our support team before you send it.
How to sell a cracked device
- Find your device on the phone, smartwatch or tablet buyback pages, or tap a model in the tables above to open the quote with Minor Damage selected.
- Choose the grade that matches. One issue is Minor Damage; two issues or a damaged display is Broken. The price appears right away and is locked for 21 days.
- Accept and ship it free. We email a prepaid label. Sign out of your Apple or Google account first; our guide to selling a locked phone shows how. A carrier lock is fine: a cracked phone locked to AT&T still sells, see selling an AT&T-locked phone.
When it arrives we inspect it against our grading standards. If it matches, we pay the locked price. If it differs, you get a revised offer to accept or decline, before anything changes.
If you are weighing the damaged phone against an upgrade, our iPhone 18 breakdown shows what your current iPhone covers, and our guide to the best way to sell your phone compares selling with a carrier trade-in.
Frequently asked questions
Can you sell a phone with a cracked screen? Yes. Techtree buys phones with a cracked screen as long as the display works, the phone powers on and the crack is its only issue. That is our Minor Damage grade.
How much does a cracked screen lower trade-in value? At Techtree, a cracked iPhone is worth roughly 34 to 48 percent of its Good-condition price, and a cracked Galaxy, Pixel, Apple Watch or iPad roughly 17 to 31 percent (prices checked September 23, 2026).
Is it worth fixing a cracked screen before selling? Usually not. For the iPhone 13, 14, 15, 16 and 15 Pro Max, Apple's $279 to $379 screen fee is more than the repair adds to a Techtree offer, and a non-genuine repair can lower the value further.
Can I trade in an iPhone with cracked back glass? Yes. Cracked back glass on its own is one issue, Minor Damage. If the front screen is also cracked, that is two issues and the Broken grade.
Does battery health affect trade-in value? Yes. Techtree's Good and Fair grades need battery health of at least 80 percent, and Flawless at least 95 percent. Below 80 percent, with no other issue, is Minor Damage.
What battery health is too low to sell? None. Techtree buys phones with any battery health as long as the phone powers on. Below 80 percent simply changes the grade.
Can I sell a phone with a cracked screen and a bad battery? Yes, at the Broken grade, because that is two issues.
Can I sell a cracked Apple Watch? Yes. A cracked Apple Watch display with everything else working is Minor Damage. Remove Activation Lock before you ship it.
Can I sell an iPad with a cracked screen? Yes, at Minor Damage if the display and touch still work. Lines, dark patches or dead touch make it Broken.
My screen has lines or dead spots. Can I still sell it? Yes, at the Broken grade, because the display panel is damaged, not just the glass.
Will a third-party screen repair affect my offer? It can. Techtree's Good and Fair grades require all original parts, and Apple notes that an unknown part might affect trade-in value.
Sources
- Service and repair for iPhone screens, Apple Support (out-of-warranty estimates, including back glass and rear camera)
- Service and repair for iPhone battery, Apple Support
- Service and repair for Apple Watch, Apple Support
- Service and repair for iPad, Apple Support
- iPhone battery and performance, Apple Support
- About the battery and performance of iPhone 11 and later, Apple Support
- If the battery in your iPhone or iPad drains too quickly, Apple Support
- Check battery health and usage on Apple Watch, Apple Watch User Guide
- How to check battery health and history on your iPad, Apple Support
- iPhone Parts and Service History, Apple Support
- About genuine iPhone displays, Apple Support
- Important safety information for iPhone, iPhone User Guide
- Important safety information for Apple Watch, Apple Watch User Guide
- Galaxy device screen is cracked or damaged, Samsung
- Samsung diagnostics, Samsung
- Understand your Pixel battery, Pixel Help
- Publication 52, 349 Class 9 hazardous materials, USPS
Repair fees, battery facts and safety guidance verified against the linked pages on September 23, 2026. Prices are Techtree's own, taken from our model pages the same day. Menus move between software versions; if a menu name differs on your device, the linked support page for your version is the authority.
