iPhone 5 repair or dispose ?

Question

iPhone 5 repair or dispose ?

I had a bad day with my iPhone 5, and my screen protector didn't magically produce an airbag to protect the device, so it's high speed impact with an immovable object had a predictable outcome...

I've since bought a new phone, though for the sorry state of the remains of the iPhone 5 shown above, do you think it's worth repairing ? Or simply throwing away into the nearest bin ?

The device doesn't register when plugged in, so I suspect it's totally dead, and anything stored on it's internal memory is going to be completely inaccessible to anyone, who like myself, who casually tries to access it. Though were it to be known to contain something sensitive - such as the blue prints for a Hypersonic missile ... then I guess it'd be a different matter. Throwing in the bin would appear to be the simplest option for me, though is there any value left in what remains - such as the Battery ?

Posted on Dec 28, 2018 7:51 AM

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Answer 1

Dec 28, 2018 9:45 AM in response to WilliamInJapan

Do not toss it in the trash. The battery contains toxic lithium, and there are small amounts of rare earth metals that can be recycled (as opposed to flattening another mountain somewhere to get more, or further enabling China to hold the world’s electronics industries hostage for them since they have more than anybody else and couldn’t care less about the environmental impact of getting them out of the ground).

BestBuy, Apple and others will freely accept products back for proper recycling. You just drop it off (BestBuy has bins for items by the entrances to their stores).

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Answer 2

Dec 28, 2018 12:49 PM in response to Warzau

Bear in mind that the Apple OoW replacement fee for an iPhone 5 is $269. A pristine unlocked iPhone 5 has a value of $0 with any used/recycler buyer, including Apple’s recycle partner Brightstar.

Since the OP has already bought a new iPhone, it seems pointless to spend even one cent on such a badly damaged and quite old device.

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Answer 3

Warzau

Level 1

63 points

Dec 28, 2018 11:09 AM in response to WilliamInJapan

Take it to a third party and see what the estimate is for repair. If it cost more than the cost of a OOW replacement forget it. Just tell them to keep it. They should dispose of it responsibly. I think it needs the screen connected to be able to turn on. But if you backed it up to the cloud or computer it really should matter at this point.

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Answer 4

FelipeV

Level 6

12,153 points

Dec 28, 2018 9:05 AM in response to WilliamInJapan

Toss it. In the recycle bin, of course. Or at Apple.

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Answer 5

Warzau

Level 1

63 points

Dec 28, 2018 3:43 PM in response to Michael Black

Yes re Apple OOW replacement, that's why I suggested a third party. But you're correct it is a old model. Best to cut loses and enjoy new phone.

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Answer 6

mdhurst

Level 5

6,639 points

Dec 28, 2018 9:00 AM in response to WilliamInJapan

Say Good Bye to your current iPhone 5 and upgrade. I am thrilled with my iPhone Xs. You may be able to find a used iPhoneSE if you want to stay with the iPhone 5 Size. Check on line at eBay etc....

Apple will recycle for no fee if you take it into them at a local Apple Store.

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iPhone 5 repair or dispose ?

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