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OVER CHRISTMAS, YOU may have upgraded your smartphone to replace your old one. Now that a few weeks have passed, your old devices are probably gathering dust somewhere.
If that’s the case, there are a number of things you can do with it that are better than just leaving it to one side.
With improvements in smartphones becoming more pronounced, it may still have a bit of life in it still, and even if it doesn’t, you can still recycle or donate it.
Use it as a dedicated device
This will very much depend on how old your smartphone is but considering the range of apps available for them, it’s easy to dedicate one to a specific task.
The main apps on any phone will give you enough to work with. For starters, you could use your old phone as a music/podcast player, a dedicated eReader, or as a smart alarm clock instead.
Yet you could go one step further and turn it into a smart remote for your PC, a makeshift mouse and so on. If you have a tablet, you could turn it into a second monitor for your PC and if you have kids, you could turn it into a dedicated device for them.
Since it’s no longer needed to find a phone signal or receive notifications, it won’t drain as quickly, and it will give your main phone a bit of breathing space.
Recycle it
Probably the most popular method for smartphones, all manufacturers have their own recycling initiative and some like Apple will compensate you if you submit it to them.
It’s not a bad idea to check the maker’s site first (as well as those who aren’t the makers of your phone) before you do anything as you could get store credit or a small payment for it.
Give it to charity
The more philanthropic approach. A number of charities like Jack and Jill, Bumbleance and Dogs Trust allow you to donate by sending in your old phone, who will then recycle it or refurbish it for reuse.
The other method, if the device you’re handing in is in good condition, is to have it resold in a charity shop. If you decide to go down this route, make sure you mention any problems that might arise before you hand it off.
Sell it off
The lucrative option but one is by no means guaranteed to work out. The older your device is, the less chance someone is going to buy it so do your research first and compare it to similar devices before you put it up.
Unless it’s a new device and hasn’t been touched, you probably shouldn’t expect to get full value from it.
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I went to the toilet with out my smartphone about an hour ago i can tell you there is 78 tiles in my bathroom.
Next time it happens you’ll be back reading the ingredients on the shampoo bottle!
It will never happen again trust me notting worse than a boring shite!
In more ways than one! ;0)
At least the screen on your phone is clean – no unwashed fingers tapped on it
Vodafone are the biggest scammers going.
Whats that got to do with old phones?
Article is sponsored by Vodafone.
Cmon, let’s give Vodaphone some credit here.
After all they inspired the revolution in Cairo with the ‘Our Power’ ads.
(sarcasm alert for the knee jerk reactionaries)
Don’t see Vodafone mentioned anywhere. I have no quarrels with them on the home broadband and home phone. Better than dealing with eircom / eir any day
Look again.
Ive experienced both companies. Give me Ericom any day over Vodashite
Vodafone were good once.
Word
aVoidaphone
Blind
Cant agree …Vodafone are ‘weapons’ of the highest order!! Very incompitent at times but will make you pay for that. They were charging a 3rd party for monthly bill belonging to my uncle’s account. He never noticed it, which he should have yes, but when the 3rd complained to Vodafone, they slapped a bill (home phone,BB and 2 mobiles) for a 4 figure sum straight at the door of my uncle with a threat to take him straight to court!!! All for THEIR Billing mistake!!
30€/month on prepay with them will calls text and 3gb, Bill pay to be fair is a disaster, my advice buy the phone outright yourself!
Keep it just for watching ehem…adult films. Easier than figuring out how to delete your history on your new device..
I’d never give away my old phone now, too much information can still be obtained from it
Nowadays the bulk of your data isn’t stored locally on the device itself, so retaining your phone for security reasons is a little redundant.
No Brian, no. Lots of people don’t use the cloud and keep their stuff on their phones.
Actually data from Whatsapp was found on my old S3, it’s being used as evidence for the Gardai.
Brought old iPhones 4s and 5 to CEX in Sth Great George’s St and got €210 for them.
You could have sold the 4s for €200 and the 5 for €300 privately.
use it as a dedicated device to ring people!
4 yr old Apple 4s use as internet radio using Tune-In radio App, plugged into hifi system. Works a treat!
People should wise up and stop ‘upgrading’ !! The cost of the actual phone(€400/500) to your provider is built into your 12/18 month contract and price plan so they can cover the cost of the new phone plus their network charges. When your contract is up and you are due an upgrade, do not take it. Just keep the same phone and get a SIM only pack for €20 per month for practically all of the same usage allowances and save yourself €30/40 per month!! Simples
Reuse it as a wifi security-camera, although keeping your phone plugged in permanently maybe a fire-risk.
Iphone 4s/5/5s still have value if its in good condition CEX buy them or advertise it on donedeal there is a huge market for second hand / refurbished iphones.
I sell mine on every 2 years or so. Pretty much covering the purchase price of a newer version on contract.
Are cereal boxes any good nowdays? Its been a while since I studied the nutritional information of rice krispies?
Use it as an IP camera.
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