5 things you can do with your old cell phone

All good things come to an end...

The time has come: you've treated yourself to a new smartphone. And, in the best-case scenario, it's a refurbished one. And now you have to part with your old phone. What can you do with an old phone? We've put together the best and most creative alternative "retirement plans" for your smartphone.

Tip #1: Give it to someone

"One man's junk is another man's treasure"... There's probably someone in your family or circle of friends who'd love to take your old phone off your hands. Just make sure it's still in full working order!

The great thing about this is the recipient won't have to spend precious money on a new smartphone. At the same time, your old cell phone will stay in use and reach its maximum lifespan.

Tip #2: Use it without a SIM card

Numerous apps and functions don't need a SIM card, so you can still get a lot out of your old smartphone. Three cool uses are:

• Listening to music while keeping fit: For example, if you like to workout outdoors to music, this means you don't have to risk dropping or damaging your new phone. With an app like Spotify, you can download music and listen to it offline. GPS also works without a SIM card and the sports tracker updates as soon as you're reconnected to a Wi-Fi network.

• eReader: Love to read, but your apartment is choc-a-block with books? Then why not turn your old cell phone into an eReader? You can install a reader app via W-LAN and download the latest bestsellers directly to your device. Of course, it also depends on the size of your smartphone: with an iPhone 7 it can be hard to read a book, but it all depends on what you're used to and when traveling it is always a practical way to pass the time.

• Baby monitor: your baby can take a nap while you prepare a delicious snack in the kitchen or get the baby bath ready. Place your old phone in the bedroom next to your baby and call your new phone via WhatsApp - or any other messenger app that works via a W-LAN. And hey presto, you have a baby monitor that won't cost a cent!

Tip #3: Dispose of it correctly

If you think chucking your phone into the nearest trash can is fine, then think again. Every cell phone contains up to 30 different metals as well as harmful substances that can seep into the ground and therefore into drinking water. If you want to get rid of your old cell phone without harming the environment, we recommend you take it to your nearest recycling center.

Your smartphone can then be disassembled into spare parts by experts to be reused for the production of new devices. This win-win principle saves resources and makes the production of new products more sustainable.

Tip #4: Sell your old cell phone

Can I sell my cell phone on Back Market?

Yes, you can sell your cell phone (and other tech) on Back Market. To do so, all you have to do is fill out a questionnaire and you'll receive an estimate of the value of the phone. On Back Market, you can sell not only your old cell phone but also your old tablet, your old game console or your old headphones/earbuds.

Tip #5: Keep your old cell phone

You could also keep your smartphone and later show it off to your kids or even your grandchildren! They'll have a good laugh at your iPhone 11 Pro which by that time will be as old as the hills.

Or maybe in the future, your phone will become valuable - perhaps so rare and it could be displayed in a museum. But if you don't want to wait 50 years for someone to pay $10,000 for your phone, you might want to go with one of the other options.

Our summary of what you can do with old cell phones

So you see there are several things you can do with old cell phones. You can gift them, recycle them responsibly, turn them into a baby monitor, cash them in or bequeath them to a museum in the (very far) future. Whatever you do, avoid throwing it away and especially not in nature!