That old smartphone gathering dust in a drawer could be worth real money. In Sweden, consumers can now sell their used phones directly in supermarkets in just a few minutes, almost as easily as returning bottles for deposit.
The concept comes from Swedish startup Vendy, which has introduced self-service mobile vending machines that look more like a recycling machine than a traditional electronics store. Installed in grocery stores, these machines allow customers to hand in an old phone, have it evaluated on the spot, and receive payment immediately.
Five minutes from drawer to cash
The process is intentionally simple. You place your phone into the machine, which uses cameras and artificial intelligence to analyze the device in detail. It checks the model and serial number, and evaluates the screen, battery, frame, and back panel.
Within moments, a concrete offer appears on the screen. Accept it, and the money is transferred instantly via Swish. Decline, and the phone is returned to you.
Compared to traditional online trade-in services, where the phone must be shipped and centrally inspected, this approach is significantly faster. Those processes can take weeks before payment is finalized.
According to Vendy, around 11 million unused smartphones are currently sitting in Swedish homes. Only about one third are resold or recycled. One of the main reasons has been friction: selling old electronics has simply felt too complicated.
There is also real money involved. On average, Vendy has paid out around 2,500 Swedish kronor per phone, a figure that surprises many users. At a time when food prices and daily expenses continue to rise, this can be a welcome financial boost.
Beyond the immediate payout, the environmental upside is clear. When more phones are reused or resold, demand for new production decreases. That reduces CO₂ emissions and eases pressure on scarce raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements.
Instead of being forgotten in a drawer, old devices become part of a more circular electronics economy, benefiting both consumers and the industry as a whole.
iPhone only, for now
For the time being, Vendy’s machines only accept iPhones. However, the company has already announced plans to expand support to Android devices.
There are currently around 20 machines operating across Sweden, mainly in grocery stores. Following a recent funding round of 11 million Swedish kronor, a larger rollout is planned for 2026.If successful, the concept could redefine how consumers think about old electronics: not as clutter, but as instant value waiting to be redeemed.
