Most Kiwis have at least one old phone sitting in a drawer. Some have three or four. It feels harmless — even kind of smart — to keep old devices “just in case.” But what most people don’t realise is that storing unused phones actually costs you money, time, and the planet more than you think.

Here’s what really happens when you leave that old iPhone or Samsung buried in a junk drawer.

1. Your Phone Loses Value Every Month

Smartphones depreciate. Fast.

Even if your old phone still works perfectly, the longer it sits:

• The older the model becomes
• The less buyers want it
• The more its resale value drops

On average, phones lose:

• 15–20% of their value every year
• A big drop every time a new model launches
• Even more if the battery weakens from non-use

A phone worth $350 today might be worth $180 next year — purely because it sat untouched.

Letting it “age in place” = losing free money.

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2. Batteries Don’t Like Being Ignored

Most modern phones use lithium-ion batteries, which degrade even when unused.

When they sit for months:

• Battery health drops
• They become harder to charge
• They may not power on at all
• Replacing the battery often costs more than the resale value

A phone that could’ve been sold for $250 can become a $0 device if it won’t turn on.

Even worse — swollen batteries can become dangerous if left for years.

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3. Old Phones Become E-Waste (Even When You Think You’ll Use Them)

We all say the same thing:

“I’ll keep it as a spare.”
“I might need it for travel.”
“I’ll give it to the kids later.”

But the stats say otherwise:
Most “spare” phones are never used again — and eventually end up in a landfill.

When phones break down in the wrong place, they leach harmful materials into soil and waterways. Recycling and refurbishing them instead:

• Recovers gold, aluminium, and rare minerals
• Reduces demand for new resource extraction
• Gives your tech a second life
• Keeps NZ cleaner and greener

You’re not just decluttering a drawer. You’re reducing waste.

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4. Security Risks Increase Over Time

Phones that sit unused:

• Stop getting iOS/Android security updates
• Become vulnerable to data breaches
• May still contain photos, emails, saved passwords, or messages

Even if you think you’ve wiped it, many people miss:

• iCloud/Google accounts still attached
• SIM cards left inside
• Social media accounts not fully logged out
• Bank apps that weren’t removed

The older the device, the riskier it becomes to leave personal data on it.

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5. They Could Be Working for You Instead of Collecting Dust

This is the part people forget:
Old phones are still valuable — and in NZ, demand is high.

Whether it’s an iPhone 11 or a Samsung S21, someone else out there needs it:

• Parents buying phones for kids
• Students wanting affordable options
• Workers needing a backup
• People who don’t want to pay new retail prices
• Eco-conscious buyers choosing refurbished

While it’s losing value in your drawer, it could be:

• Helping someone stay connected
• Being refurbished locally
• Putting cash back into your pocket
• Supporting a circular tech economy

And that’s a win for everyone.

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6. That Drawer Isn’t Clutter — It’s a Cash Stash

Most Kiwi households have at least $200–$1,000 worth of old devices sitting unused.

That’s money that could go towards:

• Bills
• A weekend away
• Christmas shopping
• Your next upgrade
• Savings or investments

The return on selling your old phone is instant and often surprisingly high.

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Why Sell Now?

Because:

• The longer it sits, the less it’s worth
• New models push prices down
• Batteries degrade
• You remove a security risk
• You declutter your home
• You help the environment
• You get money back within days

Timing matters — and “later” is the most expensive time to sell.

“A phone worth $350 today might be worth $180 next year — purely because it sat untouched.”