Second-hand mobiles average £101

The price of a second-hand mobile phone has risen 68 per cent in a year to £101, according to new data.

According to a study from CompareMyMobile.com, which compares different mobile phone recycling services, the market has risen because more people now own smartphones, and more of those have expensive models such as the iPhone.

A two year old iPhone 4 still commands more than £200, the company said.

Prices have increased from £60 in April 2011 to £101 in June 2012. Andrew Beckett of CompareMyMobile.com said, “The growth of the smartphone and in particular the iPhone’s desirability, means that even two year old handsets still command a high price.”

Some mobile recycling sites have been mired in controversy for either not paying out the full amount the quoted or for not paying out at all. CompareMyMobile.com, however, claims that the 40 sites it compares are all audited.

Apple iPhone devices take up four out of the top 10 recycled devices, more than any other manufacturer in May 2012.

Mobile companies are also bolstering the market by increasingly seeking to recover precious metals from within handsets as well as refurbishing devices that are insured. Demand for affordable handsets in emerging markets is increasing, too,, the site said.

The iPhone 3GS 16GB was the top recycled handset in May 2012, with a price of £118 which was up from April.