Direct answer: yes, SubSell buys broken iPhones in Montreal — cracked screen, water damage, dead battery, Face ID failure, broken charging port, or a phone that won't turn on. Bring it to 757 Rue Beaubien East without repairing, 5-minute evaluation, cash same day.
A broken iPhone is still valuable for its screen (still reusable if the LCD works under cracked glass), logic board, camera, battery, and internal components. That's why SubSell buys them rather than recycle: they feed repairs at our sister shop Sub Tech Repairs at the same 757 Rue Beaubien East, and remaining components go to certified recycling.
Types of damage we accept
- Cracked front glass — most common in Montreal, especially winter (drops on frozen concrete). Price reduced 30-50% vs Like New depending on model.
- Broken back glass — costlier to repair on models with MagSafe charging. Reduction of ~10-15%.
- Water damage — accepted even if the phone won't turn on. Bring it quickly after the incident; components corrode.
- Dead battery — Battery Health < 70% or won't turn on. Price slightly adjusted; battery replaced at Sub Tech Repairs.
- Face ID / Touch ID failure — Apple won't repair Face ID without replacing the entire screen, we do. Reduction of ~10%.
- Broken charging port — tested with Lightning cable and MagSafe puck; depending on diagnosis, iPhone is worth 50-80% of Like New.
- Front/rear camera failure — 2-minute diagnosis; reduction proportional to model (Pros cost more to repair).
- Quiet speaker / mic — often just grill dust; verified on the spot.
How much is a broken iPhone worth?
Examples based on current prices (June 2026) — Broken condition = roughly 40-55% of Like New:
- Broken iPhone 17 Pro Max: $700 - $1,000 depending on damage
- Broken iPhone 15 Pro: $250 - $400
- Broken iPhone 14: $150 - $240
- Broken iPhone 13: $130 - $220
- Broken iPhone 11: $80 - $160
Exact price confirmed in-store after a 5-minute diagnostic, or via WhatsApp with photos of the damage (438-258-7895).
Why sell broken instead of repair?
Quick math: getting an iPhone 13 screen repaired at a shop costs around $180. The repaired iPhone resells for ~$320 (Good condition). Net: $140 after waiting, travel, and risk that the repair finds other problems. Selling broken directly to SubSell: $220 cash in 10 minutes. Repair only makes sense if you want to keep the iPhone yourself, not if you plan to resell.
How to prepare your broken iPhone
- Disable Find My iPhone (Settings → [your name] → Find My → Turn off). If the screen no longer works, use iCloud.com on another device to remove the iPhone from the account.
- Back up via iCloud or iTunes if the iPhone still boots.
- Bring government-issued photo ID (Quebec resale law).
- Bring your Apple ID password in case we can briefly start the device to confirm sign-out.
- Don't attempt home repair — a clumsy disassembly drops value 50%+.
What if the iPhone is stolen or blacklisted?
SubSell checks every IMEI against Canadian and US databases before any purchase. A phone reported stolen or carrier-blacklisted cannot be bought — it's the law, and it's why customers have trusted us since 2017.
Frequently asked questions
My iPhone won't turn on — will SubSell still buy it?
Yes. Even a non-starting iPhone has parts value. Bring it as-is to 757 Rue Beaubien East or send a photo via WhatsApp (438-258-7895) for a pre-evaluation quote. No repair required before sale.
Water damage — how much can I get?
Varies with which components still function. An iPhone 14 Pro with water damage that still powers on can be worth $200-$300. If it won't power on, around $80-$150 for parts. Free evaluation, no obligation.
Broken back glass, Face ID failure, broken charging port — do you buy?
Yes to all. Broken back glass reduces price by ~10-15% vs intact, but doesn't disqualify the device. Face ID failure reduces by ~10%. Broken charging port: we test with cable and MagSafe puck to evaluate.
Do I need to sign out of iCloud before coming?
Yes — mandatory. Without iCloud sign-out (Find My iPhone disabled), we cannot complete the purchase (North American law). If you've lost account access, contact Apple support first. If the iPhone won't turn on, bring your Apple ID password in case we can briefly boot it to confirm.
Better to sell broken or repair first?
Selling broken is often more profitable. A $180 screen repair on an iPhone 13 worth $320 whole vs $240 broken nets you $60 vs $240 direct — wasted time and risk of finding more issues. SubSell buys directly; parts go to our in-house repair shop.