HOW WE PICK
A good deal starts
with a fair comparison.
PhoneSnipe helps US shoppers compare new, used and refurbished phone listings on eBay against a model-specific price guide.
One daily scan. Exact phone groups.
The daily scan collects up to 10,000 eBay listings across iPhone and Android brands. We identify models and storage configurations, group listings by exact model, and check contenders for the daily picks. Scan coverage is a sample of eBay inventory; a daily pick is the top eligible, verified contender in its group.
The site serves saved, paginated results. Browsing a page or comparing a model does not start another eBay scan.
Where our price estimates come from
The price guide holds separate new and used estimates for each model and storage size. Published storage-specific sale averages inform used prices where available, rounded down to $5. New values and gaps use editorial estimates; reviewed retail offers cap new estimates where available.
Refurbished and open-box phones use the used estimate. We compare listing price plus shipping before tax. Known locks, damage and conflicting configurations affect eligibility. Inspect the full price guide, sources and review dates.
One clear reference for value
We compare exact model, storage, unlocked status and new or used condition. Multi-option titles must be resolved to a specific configuration before earning price stars. Refurbished and open-box phones share the used bucket.
Daily benchmarks require at least 10 distinct listings from 5 sellers. Repeated scan rows are removed, variations count once per parent listing, and each seller contributes one median. We remove statistical outliers and exclude auctions, known faults and unknown shipping costs.
The hardcoded catalog sets usual price, savings and deal stars. The scan identifies and ranks listings against that catalog. Daily asking-price benchmarks appear separately on model pages and never change a phone’s catalog value. Active asking prices are not completed sales. See daily benchmarks and price history by phone.
How the five-star deal rating works
| Factor | Stars |
|---|---|
| 0–9% below market estimate | 1 |
| 10–19% below | 2 |
| 20% or more below | 3 |
| Free shipping | +1 |
| New or refurbished | +1 |
The price tiers are alternatives, not cumulative. Above-market prices earn zero price stars. These are calculated deal ratings, not buyer reviews. Daily picks require at least four stars plus separate listing checks. Auction ratings use the current bid, which can rise.
Condition and seller information
We show seller feedback and reported battery health when available. Disclosed faults, weak battery health and repair problems can trigger warnings. An omitted optional detail is not evidence of a defect. Seller-provided claims are not an independent inspection.
How PhoneSnipe earns money
PhoneSnipe participates in the eBay Partner Network. We may earn a commission when you follow an eBay link and buy. Affiliate commissions do not determine the price guide, star rating or order of deals. The seller on eBay handles the sale, payment, shipping and returns.