Virgin Media O2 offering up to £160 for old gaming consoles

Around 49 million gaming consoles are sitting unused in UK homes, according to new research from Virgin Media O2.

In total, the combined value of this unused tech has been calculated at a staggering £4.14 billion.

Nearly half of Brits (49%) admit they have an old video game console that’s gathering dust, while 54% are keeping old consoles “just in case” they want to play them again, despite not having used them in years.

But gamers can now turn their unused tech into cash through Virgin Media O2’s ‘O2 Recycle’ scheme.

O2 Recycle launched in 2009 and has seen over 4 million devices recycled, resulting in more than £356 million being paid 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.

Chief Sustainability Officer at Virgin Media O2, Dana Haidan, said: “With millions of new consoles taking pride of place in gamers’ homes this January, we know it can be overwhelming for Brits to know what to do with their unwanted gaming gadgets.  

“That’s why O2 Recycle exists – to keep consoles and other tech in use for longer, whether that’s refurbishing and reselling them so they can be enjoyed by other gamers, or by ensuring they’re responsibly recycled when reuse isn’t possible. 

“By trading in old consoles through O2 Recycle, people can unlock extra cash at a time when many are feeling the January squeeze, while helping to cut down on electronic waste and support a more circular approach to tech.”

How much money you could make from old gaming consoles with O2 Recycle

As part of O2 Recycle, you could claim up to £160 back for your old gaming console.

Some of the highest prices on offer, according to O2, are:

• PlayStation: £160 (PlayStation 5)
• Xbox: £110 (Xbox Series X or S)
• Nintendo Switch: £92 (Nintendo Switch OLED)

These prices are based on the devices being in full working condition.

You can find out exactly how much your old gaming console is worth via the O2 Recycle website.

Nearly half of Brits (49%) admit they have an old video game console they don’t use anymore. (Image: Getty Images)

Other devices that could earn you up to £1000

You can also earn cash from other devices, including mobile phones, laptops, and headphones.

Some of the highest prices on offer through O2 Recycle are:

• Apple iPhone: £750 (iPhone 17 Pro Max)
• Other mobile phones : £821 (Samsung Galaxy 2 Fold7)
• Apple MacBook : £1000 (MacBookPro14 6 M2 Max 12 Core CPU 38 Core GPU 16 inch A2780 1/2023)
• Apple Watch : £250 (Apple Watch Ultra 2 49MM Cellular)
• Apple iPad: £440 (iPad Pro 12.9 inch 6 cellular)
• Airpods Pro : £50 (Airpods Pro 2nd Generation)

Devices handed in through the Virgin Media O2 scheme are either repaired, refurbished and resold, or responsibly recycled – with zero parts going to landfill.

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How to claim cash back via O2 Recycle

To claim money for your old device via O2 Recycle, all you have to do is follow these five simple steps:

1. Select your device (using the O2 website – a link to which can be found above).
2. Receive your estimate from O2, and if you are satisfied, complete your order.
3. Prepare your device by backing it up, charging it, and sorting out security.
4. Post it to Virgin Media O2 (using your own packaging and label or one of its free packs).
5. Virgin Media O2 will then securely wipe your device, and you’ll get paid within 3 to 5 days after it has been received.

Alternatively, people buying devices or mobile plans from Virgin Media O2 can trade in their unwanted smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch to get money off their device or airtime plan.