Millions of Brits could be sitting on £1000s worth of unused phones, tablets and other devices without even realising.
Recent research commissioned by Virgin Media O2 has revealed that around 460 million unused digital devices are gathering dust in homes and businesses across the UK, including 267 million that could be repaired or reused.
The study highlights a growing trend of stockpiling old technology, with the average household now owning 3.6 unused mobile phones, 1.8 tablets, and 1.9 laptops.
This totals roughly seven unused digital devices per home.
A majority of people (58%) say they own more unused devices than they did three years ago, and nearly one in five (18%) report that their collection has grown by more than half during that time.
More than half (55%) say their oldest unused device has been sitting idle for at least five years, while around one in seven (14%) admit to holding onto a device for more than a decade.
Businesses are also contributing to the digital clutter, with an average of 45 unused devices per organisation.
Nearly half (47%) say they keep old equipment in case it’s needed by another employee.
Despite this, more organisations tend to purchase new devices (42%) rather than reassign existing ones (34%), resulting in growing stockpiles of unused technology.
Brits could make up to £1000 from old devices
O2 is offering up to £1000 for old mobile phones, tablets and other devices as part of its 'Recycle' service.
O2 Recycle launched in 2009 and has seen over 4 million devices recycled, resulting in more than £354 million being distributed to consumers.
You don't have to be an O2 customer to use the recycling service, and you can trade in everything from your mobile phone or tablet to gaming consoles like an Xbox or PlayStation.
♻️ To mark International E-Waste Day, we’ve revamped our O2 Recycle scheme.
Since 2009, O2 Recycle has:
♻️ Recycled more than 4mil devices
🫰 Paid out more than £354mil to consumers
🥬 Zero parts have gone into landfill
Visit O2 Recycle: https://t.co/YSjhhl8p44 pic.twitter.com/0zSEsqbQZ7— Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) October 14, 2025
How much money you could make from your old device with O2
Some of the highest prices on offer, according to O2, are:
- Apple iPhone : £720 (iPhone 17 Pro Max)
- Other mobile phones : £900 (Google Pixel 11 Pro XL)
- Apple MacBook : £1000 (MacBookPro14 6 M2 Max 12 Core CPU 38 Core GPU 16 inch A2780 1/2023)
- Apple Watch : £230 (Apple Watch Ultra 2 49MM Cellular)
- Apple iPad : £485 (iPad Pro 13-inch (M4) cellular)
- PlayStation : £160 (PlayStation 5)
- Xbox : £110 (Xbox Series X or S)
- Nintendo Switch : £92 (Nintendo Switch OLED)
- Airpods : £50 (Airpods Pro 2nd Generation)
These prices are based on the devices being in full working condition.
You can find out exactly how much your old mobile or device is worth via the O2 website.
Devices can be sent with free postage, where they will be securely data-wiped, and then refurbished, repaired and resold, or recycled.
You will then receive cash for your device within 3-5 days.
Virgin Media O2 launching new tech rehome fund
Virgin Media O2's research also found that many people are unaware of the potential value or impact of their unused devices.
More than half (58%) said they had never considered that an unused phone, tablet, or laptop could help someone else.
A similar number (58%) are unfamiliar with the term "digital exclusion," which refers to a lack of access, skills, or confidence needed to use digital technology and get online.
Nearly a third (31%) have never heard the term before.
However, the willingness to help is clear once people understand the issue.
Nine in ten (90%) said they would donate an unwanted device if they knew it would benefit someone in need, and 82% of businesses said the same.
Despite this goodwill, more than six in ten (61%) said they are not aware of any local organisation where they can donate unwanted technology, and 67% have never donated a device before.
Today we’re launching our £3m Tech Rehome Network Fund to help local organisations get unwanted tech to people who need it most.
Find out more and apply: https://t.co/h9RkZTqP38 pic.twitter.com/waSLPkhSpe— Virgin Media O2 News (@VMO2News) September 8, 2026
Virgin Media O2 is taking steps to address this gap through its new £3 million Tech Rehome Network Fund.
The first £500,000 funding round is now open (until October 30), and will help support councils, charities and community organisations to strengthen and scale local tech reuse schemes.
Chief sustainability officer at Virgin Media O2, Dana Haidan, said: "People want to use their unused tech to help people in their community, but too often they don't know where to start.
"Through the Tech Rehome Network Fund, we're investing in trusted local organisations to build the networks cities need to keep devices in use for longer.
"By making it easier for households and businesses across cities to pass on unwanted technology, we can give devices a second life while helping more people get online."
Have you got an old device at home you think could be rehomed? Let us know in the poll above or in the comments below.
Share