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With 15% of Brits hoping to receive consumer electronics for Christmas*, it’s likely that many will unwrap new phones, game consoles, or tablets on the 25th. But when should you sell your old device to maximize your earnings?

Experts at Compare and Recycle have examined average prices for various smartphones and consoles over the past year, revealing which devices can fetch higher payouts when recycled in December.

Which Devices Offer the Highest Money This December (2024)

Data from Compare and Recycle

Get 80% extra for your Pixel 7 Pro in December

An analysis of average offers for a 256GB Pixel 7 Pro over the past year shows that selling the device in December can yield an average of 80% higher quotes compared to the month with the lowest average offer earlier in the year.

Make an average of 39% more on devices recycled in December

Selling the popular devices listed above in December can earn you 39% more on average than in other months of the year. This makes December the ideal time to trade in your old devices rather than waiting until after Christmas.

The gaming consoles you can get the most money for in December

PS4 Slim can get you 79% more when sold in December

If you’re upgrading to the PS5 this Christmas, you can get an extra 79% for your old console if you recycle it before the end of the year. The Xbox One S in both 1TB and 500GB can earn an extra 50% and 46% in December. 

Experts at Compare and Recycle explain, “This can be explained by the increased demand from shoppers rushing to put some tech under their trees, which causes refurbishers to need to bolster their stock. After the frenzy of the iPhone launch, December is usually the time when second-hand tech retailers and recyclers are ready for stock intake. 

Another indicator is that refurbished devices are becoming increasingly popular due to lower costs. Research** shows that 37% of households have purchased at least one refurbished device, and 46% would consider purchasing one in the future.