Technologies

Tech Clutter Overload: New CNET Survey Shows 31% of US Adults Hang On to Old Devices

Despite incentives for selling and trading in tech devices, a large number of phones, computers and game consoles end up neglected and unused.

Whether you’re upgrading to the latest iPhone or Samsung Galaxy phone, or snagging a new ultralight laptop for work on the go, the joy of gaining that powerful technology comes with a small burden — what to do with your old smartphone or computer? For a large number of people, the answer is “nothing.”

A recent CNET survey reveals that over three in 10 (31%) US adults hang onto old devices, because they aren’t sure what to do with smartphones, video game consoles, laptops and other tech accessories they no longer use. Nearly one in five (19%) US adults throw away these devices. However, many prefer to trade in their old devices for an exchange or upgrade (37%), while 25% are selling them.

With tariffs expected to drive up electronics prices, there are still ways to save money on new tech, and selling your old devices can help offset the cost. If your device is broken or too outdated to sell, experts recommend using an electronics recycling service to avoid polluting the environment and so valuable materials like copper and aluminum can be reused.

Here’s what the latest CNET survey found about how US adults are disposing of tech they don’t want anymore and tips for what you can do with yours.

Key takeaways:

31% of US adults are still holding on to old tech devices because they’re not sure what to do with them.
37% of Americans trade in or exchange their old devices, while 25% sell them.
29% use a recycling service to dispose of old tech, while 19% toss old devices in the trash.

Over one-third of US adults trade in or exchange their old tech

Many US adults (37%) trade in smartphones, gaming devices, laptops and accessories for another device or an upgrade. That can come in handy if a retailer offers a discount on the new gadget in exchange for the trade.

Other popular disposal methods include giving it to a loved one or recycling it. Some US adults even try selling their devices, which can bring in some extra cash. Here’s a closer look at some common disposal methods based on CNET’s survey.

Read more: Spring Cleaning? Free Expert Tech Recycling Tips for a Greener Home

How to maximize the value of your smartphone trade-in

One-third of US adults trade in their smartphones for an exchange or upgrade to lower the price of a new one. Others use a recycling service or give the old device away. Here’s a closer look.

If you plan to trade an old device, start with your phone carrier, said Patrick Holland, CNET’s managing editor for mobile. Many manufacturers, like Apple and Samsung, will partner with carriers to offer steep discounts on a new model when you trade in an old one.

“These deals usually happen within the first month a new phone goes on sale and can sometimes cover the entire price — just depends on how old and what condition the phone you’re trading in is,” he said. Some manufacturers may offer steeper discounts during the preorder period before a new phone is released, Holland added.

The longer you wait to trade in your device, the less you’re likely to get. For example, if you’re upgrading to the iPhone 16, you may need an iPhone 12 Pro or newer model to get a full promotional offer. Check your retailer’s trade-in requirements to make sure your device qualifies.

Most importantly, make sure your device works and is in good condition, with minimal scratches or cracks. You may also compare trade-in offers by getting estimates from different retailers and carriers for the best deal.

If your phone doesn’t qualify for a trade-in offer, or if you think the offer is too low, consider selling your phone. CNET experts recommend Swappa, an online marketplace to sell and buy used electronics. Swappa helps you set your price fairly by comparing similar models and features to yours. But there are other options to consider, too.

“I’ve had a lot of luck on eBay and Gazelle,” Holland said. “Selling a phone on eBay can involve a little work and take some time, but you’ll usually get more money there.”

Gazelle and similar resale sites are usually quicker than selling on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. but you may get less money for your device, Holland said. You can also trade in your tech with Best Buy’s trade-in program. And if your device’s value is too low, you can recycle it right at the store.

On the other hand, if you’re not looking to get any money back from your old phone, many retailers and carriers — like Apple, Best Buy and AT&T — will recycle it for free. It’s best to call the physical store to make sure in advance. Holland also recommends donating your old phone to charity, like Cell Phones For Soldiers, if the phone is in good, working condition.

Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Trade-In Tips: Getting Your Next Phone Using Your Old One

Many US adults recycle or gift old laptops and computers

By the numbers, nearly a quarter of US adults recycle their computers and computer accessories, while 18% give the old computer to family or friends. But 21% are unsure of what to do with the computer.

There are a few options, but regardless of how you discard, it’s important to remove your personal data first.

Before you recycle your laptop or give it away, CNET’s computing and home entertainment managing editor Josh Goldman recommends restoring it to its original condition to make sure your sensitive data is wiped from the machine.

“Remove any software you’re not using, delete any unnecessary files and update the operating system,” Goldman said. “Back up all your important files, write down all the software you need — and find the license keys if you paid for it — and do a full system reset to start fresh.”

Manufacturers typically offer free-to-download software for securely deleting data. Windows devices have a secure erase option built into the system. Finish by blowing out any dust and debris with a can of compressed air and cleaning the outside with a cloth that’s safe for electronics.

For extra protection, Goldman suggests removing the hard drive or solid-state drive from your computer and destroying it. “It’s not necessary, but it’s extra peace of mind,” Goldman said. If that’s not an option, he recommends resetting the laptop, then using software to erase the solid-state drive or hard disk drive.

You’re then free to gift or donate your device. Many communities offer free electronics recycling drop-off locations. Goldman recommends starting your search with the Department of Public Works in your city or county.

“If you’re not sure where to start, use Earth911.com‘s search. Just pop in your ZIP code and it’ll give you local options,” he said.

Many gamers opt to sell old consoles

When it comes to getting rid of unused video game systems, 17% of gamers prefer to sell their old consoles, followed by gifting them to family or friends (16%). If you no longer use a video game system, selling your old console could earn you some extra money. You just need to take a few precautions.

Scott Stein, CNET’s editor at large, cautions anyone selling a gaming console to a retailer to make sure they’re getting a fair price. You can also sell directly to buyers on eBay and community groups like Facebook Marketplace and Offer Up. He also recommends community groups as another way to sell.

When determining the price, assess the resale value and the condition of your accessories and console. You may also look at how other sellers are pricing their consoles to determine a fair price. Lastly, think about the value of your games and how rare they are — that could increase your console’s value.

Before selling or gifting a video game console, reset all content and account settings. Most importantly, remove any credit card payment information you may have stored on your account details. Most consoles have an easy reset-to-factory setting to make erasing your data easy.

Other ways to recycle old tech

Still struggling with where to get rid of devices you don’t want anymore? Major office supply stores like Staples and Office Depot offer recycling services, and so does Best Buy. Some stores even offer store credits in exchange for your old tech.

Check the list of accepted items before you go to the store. For example, larger monitors can be recycled for $20 at Staples, and while most personal tech is accepted, medical devices and TVs are a few items that aren’t.

Methodology

CNET commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,511 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken from March 26-28, 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18 and over).

Technologies

Trump Maintains US‑Iran Negotiations Continue Amid Tehran’s Denials of Duplicity

President Trump insists that US‑Iran talks are ongoing despite Tehran’s denial of any negotiation plans, while warning that only a deal or total surrender will allow passage through the Strait of Hormuz. Conflicting statements from both sides have heightened uncertainty as the conflict enters its sixth month.

On Monday, President Donald Trump asserted that negotiations between the United States and Iran are still taking place, even after Tehran stated it has no intention of engaging in direct talks with Washington.

In a fiery Truth Social post, Trump labeled Iran’s leaders “unbelievably duplicitous,” claiming they are lying about ongoing peace talks “whether Iran wants to admit it or not.” He repeated his assertion that the United States completely controls the Strait of Hormuz, despite maritime traffic through the crucial route lingering at only a small fraction of pre‑conflict levels.

He wrote, “Nothing reaches Iran unless we allow it, and nothing will pass unless a deal—or total surrender—is achieved.”

Earlier that day, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told reporters there is no imminent plan for U.S.–Iran negotiations, contradicting Trump’s earlier comment that talks would resume Monday afternoon. Baghaei added that Iran’s only current discussions are with Oman concerning the Strait of Hormuz.

The conflicting statements have heightened uncertainty over the peace‑talk process and the broader conflict, now in its sixth month.

Trump’s assertion about new negotiations came a day after he said on Truth Social that he had agreed to cancel a massive strike against Iran “subject to being able to rapidly make a DEAL.” He said in the same post that Iran and other Middle Eastern countries had asked him to hold off on that attack because “the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

Trump has claimed dozens of times throughout the more‑than‑five‑month‑long war that a deal is at hand. No permanent deal has been signed, and a temporary ceasefire reached in June has fallen apart.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to launch devastating strikes against Iran before backing off. After the latest example, oil prices on Monday fell and stocks surged.

BMI, a research unit of Fitch Solutions, said in a note Monday that a broader diplomatic understanding on reopening the Strait of Hormuz is still achievable this quarter, while raising the probability of its escalation scenario to 35% from 25%, citing mounting military, diplomatic and economic signs of rising U.S.-Iran tensions.

“Diplomatic progress is likely to be punctuated by periodic military flare-ups, while miscalculation by either side could trigger a renewed escalation,” BMI analysts wrote in a note. The firm said the key issue to watch is the future governance of the strait, as the Iran-Oman talks — potentially backed by Gulf states, China and the U.S. — point to efforts to build a post-conflict shipping framework.

Shipping risks persist even as diplomacy appears to be advancing. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre said it received a report of an incident 20 nautical miles (23 miles) northeast of Khasab, Oman — at the mouth of the strait — with a tanker’s master reporting an explosion in close proximity to the vessel at about 20:37 UTC Sunday (4:37 pm ET). The vessel and crew were safe and authorities are investigating, UKMTO said, advising ships to transit with caution.

The proposal Trump announced over the weekend calls for the U.S. and Iran to return to negotiations and continue ironing out some of the thorny issues that had derailed diplomatic efforts, according to The Associated Press, citing a regional official involved in the mediation efforts.

The official said the proposal also includes a reopening of the Hormuz Strait and halting attacks across the region, including by Iranian-backed militias in Iraq on the Arab Gulf countries and Jordan.

The U.S., for its part, will end its naval blockade on Iran and allow Tehran to export its oil, the official said, adding that no deal has been reached, although the mediation efforts remained underway.

Trump’s weekend reversal has lowered the temperature after days of escalating attacks across the Gulf. Kuwait said Saturday that Iranian forces launched a wave of drones within its airspace, with its military destroying multiple aircraft after Iran targeted critical infrastructure in the country’s north.

A parallel track with Muscat is also advancing. Iranian diplomats said Tehran was close to reaching a new arrangement with Oman to manage shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a deal critical to preventing the war from escalating further, according to the Financial Times.

Iranian officials said negotiations over future management of the Hormuz Strait with Oman, which sits on the opposite shore of the waterway, are in their final stages. The agreed shipping route would be different from those used before, according to Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Baghaei, adding that the new route was separate from the issue of the strait’s reopening or continued closure.

Technologies

Oil Prices Slide as Trump Halts Planned Iran Strike

Oil prices dropped after Trump cancelled a planned strike on Iran, with WTI down about 5% and Brent near 5% lower. He said the move followed requests from Tehran and regional allies for a pause while a deal shaping the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program is negotiated.

Oil prices fell on Monday after President Donald Trump announced he had cancelled a planned strike on Iran. WTI futures dropped roughly 5% to $80.34 a barrel, while Brent slipped about 4.7% to $83.77 a barrel.

Trump said early Sunday he called off the strike after Iran and several Middle Eastern nations asked him to hold off, noting that the outlines of a deal had been agreed upon. He added that the prospective accord would entail the immediate, full opening of the Strait of Hormuz and an end to Iran’s nuclear ambitions, according to his Truth Social post.

The president had been considering another round of strikes as diplomatic hopes waned since the conflict began on February 28. He said the U.S. and Iran would meet for talks on Monday, but Iran denied any scheduled negotiations with Washington, citing PressTV. Iran’s foreign‑ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei clarified that Tehran was only discussing shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz with Oman. In a follow‑up Truth Social message, Trump insisted that, regardless of Iran’s acknowledgment, the United States is indeed discussing a solution to a long‑standing problem created by Iran.

Technologies

Oil Prices Drop as Trump Cancels Planned Attack on Iran

Oil prices fell sharply after President Trump announced the cancellation of a planned strike on Iran, citing a new deal that would open the Hormuz Strait and end Iran’s nuclear threat.

Oil prices fell sharply on Monday after President Donald Trump announced that he had called off a planned strike on Iran.

West Texas Intermediate futures, the U.S. benchmark, slipped roughly 5% to close at $80.34 per barrel, while Brent crude, the international benchmark, declined 4.7% to settle at $83.77 a barrel.

Trump made the announcement early Sunday, saying he had canceled the strike following requests from Tehran and other Middle Eastern countries.

In a Truth Social post, he wrote: “We have just been asked by Iran, and other Middle Eastern Countries, to hold off any attack in that the perimeters of a deal has been agreed to.”

The president indicated that the proposed agreement would include the immediate, complete, and total opening of the Hormuz Strait, as well as an end to Iran’s nuclear threat.

Trump had been weighing additional strikes amid diminishing prospects for a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that began on Feb. 28. He stated that the U.S. and Iran would hold negotiations on Monday.

Tehran denied that talks were planned with Washington, according to state news outlet PressTV.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said Tehran was only holding talks with Oman regarding the routes ships can use through the Strait of Hormuz.

In a subsequent Truth Social post, Trump added that whether “Iran wants to admit it or not, we are, in fact, talking of a solution to a problem that they have caused for decades.”