Six Things You Can Do with Your Old Smartphone

In just a few hours, we will know the details of the next series of iPhones.  Since the iPhone holds just over 40 percent of the smartphone market share, it is no surprise that the leaked and anticipated details of Apple's next smartphone have been discussed so much.  However, if you are a person who always upgrades to the latest device, or if you have recently purchased a new smartphone, you will have to decide what to do with your old phone.

Here are five things you can do with your old phone:

1) Turn it into cash - I always think it is amazing to see the number of older model phones available on eBay, Amazon, and Craigslist right after the next model has been released.  Once the new iPhones are available, one simple thing you can do with your old phone is to sell it.  While those who know me know that I am not a fan of Apple's products, one of their big benefits is that they hold their value very well.

If you decide to sell your old phone, you should make sure that your new phone is exactly what you want and in working order before you list it.  It would be very frustrating to decide to return your phone or have to send it off for warranty service after you have sold your old phone.

Before you sell your phone, make sure your data is wiped from your device.  I wrote a tip on this subject recently, and you can read it here if you missed it.  Then, check out the value of your old phone on a site like WorthMonkey to determine how much it is actually worth.

If you want a simple way to get quick money quickly, you can try trading your phone for a gift card at a major retailer.  Walmart and Best Buy both offer a trade-in program, but it will not get you the best deal.  To get the most for your phone, you can list it on Craigslist, Amazon Marketplace, and eBay.  You can also try looking at local Facebook groups established for buying and selling products in your region.

2) Let your phone guide you - If your phone has an offline mapping service, like Google Maps, you can turn your old phone into a GPS.  Turn off the Wi-Fi and Mobile Data connections (they will run your battery down) and turn on GPS location services.  With a windshield mount (available for around $10-20), you won't need to buy an actual GPS again.  Plus, if your new phone uses the same charging port as your old phone, you won't need a separate car charger for both devices.

3) Create a digital photo frame - Combine your old phone with the free app Dayframe (only available for Android) and turn your phone into a digital photo frame.  Dayframe will sync with accounts on multiple services, such as Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Google+, Instagram, etc.  (It does not currently have the ability to take photos directly from your computer.)  If you want to create custom playlists of photos, you can purchase the $3 Dayframe Prime upgrade.

4) Listen to music on the go - If you want to save your phone's battery for calls and texts, you can carry your old phone with you as a media player.  Just remember to turn off all connections (Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, and Mobile Data) to conserve your battery life.

5) Wake up to your old phone - Many of us now use our phones as mobile alarm clocks.  The only problem is that most of them have to be on for the alarm to sound.  (I do know of a few phones where the alarm can be set to sound even when the phone is off.)  If you find yourself waking up to notification alerts during the night, try shutting your new phone off and using your old phone as an alarm clock.

6) Create your own internet phone - If you are considering ditching your landline, but like the convenience of having an extra phone at the house, your old phone can fill that need.  Simply use an internet voice/text app like Talkatone to make calls and send text messages using your home's Wi-Fi. Unlike Skype and Facetime, Talkatone is free even when calling those who do not have the app installed.