The old phone the kid used for playing podcasts and audiobooks (a Xiaomi Redmi Note 8) just got dropped and cracked. I was gonna replace the screen — have done it before, and see them going for ~$20 with case on AliEx (or ~$12 without) — but it occurred to me that with recent 4G changes in Australia, a lot of people's phones must've been rendered obsolete. Where best to find them? I'm not seeing a whole lot of them for under $100 on facebook, eBay or Gumtree… Any suggestions? Best I found so far is a used Honor 8X (2018) for $70+GST–CB on AliEx.
Best Place to Find Obsolete Working Used Android Mobile Phones
wisdomtooth on 20/08/2025 - 16:41
Last edited 20/08/2025 - 23:40
Last edited 20/08/2025 - 23:40
Comments
Thanks, but I don't need a full pallet of phones; just a couple. Who buys those auctioned phones, and retails them?
Buys them? Repair shops, tech heads, overseas and country communities, illicit trades wanting a stack of IMEIs on rotation.
Bot farms
@besttechadvisor: Right!
Not sure why all the negs; I wasn't doubting it, just genuinely asking where to buy them retail.
You want to buy obsolete phones to what? Repair your busted phone?
No, to use them as glorified MP3 players.
Looks like there's a drive-by negger here… Damn anonymity!
Thanks. Not sure why you got downvoted… Pawn shops not good, negger?
Cex is another one like cashies.
More expensive, but if you want a warranty then you can checkout KingIT.com.au
A good phone to get is a first generation Google Pixel XL with 128GB storage. Getting harder to come by but they have unlimited, full quality Google photo backup.
Otherwise, if you don't need 4G, why not just get a dedicated Android media player on AliExpress?
Or a cheap small tablet?
He has a not so small 10" tablet (a $100 hand me down Lenovo m10), but it's sorta cumbersome as an audio remote.
if you don't need 4G, why not just get a dedicated Android media player on AliExpress?
Like this? Well, we need a screen; more of an iPod setup.
A good phone to get is a first generation Google Pixel XL with 128GB storage … they have unlimited, full quality Google photo backup.
Never knew that! 😯
I'll look for it.
The best audio phone is a lg v30+, i use it as a music player.
I would say your best bet is ebay or gumtree.
By "audio phone" are you referring to the quality of the phone's own speakers? I generally connect the phone to a cheapo BT speaker, so the kid can move around with it instead of carrying an actual screen in his hand (which is what ended up cracking it today — beside the unneeded screen exposure).
Curious, could you just use a google home device? Ask google to play stuff etc
He takes the speaker everywhere with him; to the bathroom, in the car, in the bedroom… He listens to audiobooks nonstop. Besides, we don't leave devices constantly listening to us at home.
Our local council has a drop off centre for "e" waste. There is a 20' skip that has heaps of phones that have been thrown out. Maybe there is a similar facility close to where OP lives?
Except often they won’t let you take stuff out of those bins.
Then take the bin….
Wear a hi-vis vest?
Ask around at work/friends for any old phones in the junk draw.
Brand New Mobile phone sometimes down to $89 each with brand new battery and 128GB internal memory, no point to purchase old and half hour run time phone.
A brand new locked phone is much better than old phones if it's just for podcasts and audiobooks.
The $99 Optus X Total has a 5000mAh battery and a 6.75" display.
If you can spend $50 more for a phone he can use later as a normal phone, the Vodafone Motorola G35 has a FHD+ screen, 5G and a faster processor.
Not a bad idea, thanks.
Using it later means sticking with Vodafone or rooting it, right?
Use with Vodafone or Vodafone MVNOs like Kogan or unlock for $25 after 6 months
Damn, they both went up $30 today 😮💨
i have a few,
motorola v3xx
nokia e71
motorola QHa! I had a Motorola Q!! Last time I'd ever had a Motorola, after all the trouble it got me into. Somehow it leaked data, and by the end of the month Vodafone handed me a $2000 data charge (20 years ago!), and wouldn't back down, though they sold me the phone themselves. Had to have the TIO intervene, to finally have it lifted from me.
But, no, should've been clearer; I'm looking for android phones.
I have a few: (working) S5, S7,
iphone 4 (unknown condition)
Auctions will sell boxes of old phones.