Start with what you want from the sale
Before comparing buyers, decide what matters most to you. If you're buying a new phone anyway, a trade-in that gives credit toward it may be the least effort. If you want money you can spend anywhere, look at buyers who pay out rather than issue credit. Think about how much time you can give the sale, whether you're comfortable meeting strangers, and whether you want to see the inspection happen. It's also worth checking how damage is handled, since some programmes only accept phones that power on and pass an app-based check. The four option types below answer these questions differently.
Specialist buyback shops with a physical store
A specialist buyback shop buys devices directly and usually lets you walk in. ReDevice is one example: it has stores in Amanjaya, Sungai Petani and Taman Dagang, Ampang, and accepts devices by courier from elsewhere in Malaysia. You send your model, storage and condition on WhatsApp for an estimate, then the device is inspected, the final offer is explained, and you accept or decline with no obligation. Damaged phones can still be assessed, and there's a trade-in option toward a pre-owned device too. The trade-off is that you need to travel to a store or post the phone, and independent shops vary, so check who you're dealing with before you hand anything over.
National chains: CompAsia and 3cat
Chains combine online or chat quotes with physical outlets. CompAsia's sell page says you can get a quotation by entering your device details on its website, in its app or at a store, then either have the device picked up or visit your nearest CompAsia store, and receive a cash payment. 3cat's trade-in page says you contact its customer service team via chat to find out what your device is worth, its team evaluates the condition, and you can take cash or apply the value as a discount on an upgrade at any 3cat store. 3cat describes itself as buying, selling and repairing Apple and Google devices, with stores in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor, Kedah, Sabah, Johor, Kelantan, Penang and Perak.
CeX: selling at a store with a membership
CeX buys and sells games, phones and electronics through its stores. Its Malaysia help centre says you need a free CeX membership to sell anything for cash or to exchange a phone, and members must be at least 18 and show a national ID card or passport. When you sell to a store, you can take payment or a CeX voucher, which can be used in any CeX store. CeX also says prices quoted at booking are subject to testing and may change depending on condition and accessories. Chains like these suit sellers who want a known name and a counter to walk up to, but check which devices each one accepts and whether the value comes as money or store credit.
Apple Trade In
Brand trade-in programmes give you credit toward a new device rather than money to spend elsewhere. Apple's Malaysian trade-in page says you can trade in online or at an Apple Store and get credit toward a purchase. If your trade-in is worth more than the new device, the remaining amount comes as an Apple Gift Card by email. Apple says it will provide a revised value if your device's condition is different from what you described, and a device that isn't eligible for credit can be recycled for free. This route suits someone who is already buying from Apple and wants a single transaction, but it's less suited to someone who wants money to spend elsewhere.
Telco trade-in: Maxis and CelcomDigi
Maxis and CelcomDigi both run trade-in programmes built around an app that runs a self-diagnosis on your phone. Maxis says its Maxis Trade In app gives you a trade-in value, you complete the trade-in at a Maxis store, and the value goes toward purchases there or is rebated into your Maxis bill. You need to be a Maxis account holder, excluding Hotlink Prepaid, and the device must power on and complete the diagnostic. CelcomDigi says you can drop the phone off at a CelcomDigi store or request a pick-up through its partner CompAsia, subject to coverage, and choose between credit to your Postpaid bill or a payment into your bank account. It also says that once the device is handed to store staff, the value is final and the device cannot be returned.
Marketplaces: Mudah.my and Carousell
Listing the phone yourself means you set the asking price and deal with buyers directly. Mudah.my's posting rules give private users a limited number of free ads in its mobile phones and gadgets category, and Carousell lets you sell by meet-up or delivery, with an in-app Buy button and Buyer Protection for eligible sellers. The trade-off is time and risk: questions, haggling and no-shows are normal. Mudah.my's safety advice is to meet in a safe public place such as a shopping mall or petrol station, keep conversations in its in-app chat, and watch for fake payment confirmations and requests for upfront agent or courier fees. You also handle the reset and account sign-out yourself, and nobody inspects the phone on your behalf.
Carousell's own buyback service
Carousell also buys phones directly through Sell to Carousell. Its help centre says the service is currently available to users whose location is set to Kuala Lumpur and Selangor. You enter your phone's brand, model and condition for an indicative quote, then schedule a doorstep pickup. At pickup a diagnostic test is carried out, and the final offer may be lower than the initial quote if the phone's condition is worse than declared. There's no obligation to accept. Carousell says the phone must be able to switch on and have the Carousell app installed, and that it is factory reset once you accept. This suits Klang Valley sellers who would rather not travel or meet a buyer.
What to check, whichever you choose
Whichever route you take, ask a few questions first. Is the figure you were given an estimate, and what could change it at the final offer? Will someone explain what the inspection found? A careful buyer will insist that iCloud, Find My or your Google account is removed and will check ownership, so be wary of anyone who doesn't care. You should be free to walk away before accepting, and payment should only follow your acceptance; on a marketplace, confirm the money has actually arrived rather than trusting a screenshot. The company details in this guide were checked on 13 September 2026 from each company's own website and may change, so confirm the current terms with them before you sell.