Nextel/Motorola iDEN phones were once affordable and widely available used. After Sprint retired the iDEN network in 2013 and Sprint later merged into T-Mobile, these legacy handsets became incompatible with modern carriers. You can still buy them on resale marketplaces for collecting or parts, but for a working low-cost phone choose a modern unlocked/LTE device.

Why Nextel phones were once cheap and common

Nextel (the company) and Motorola produced many affordable iDEN handsets in the 2000s. Those phones were popular for push-to-talk, fleet use, and low-cost handsets. At the time, you could buy pre-owned Nextel devices for far less than new phones and add them to existing service plans.

What changed: network and carrier history

The key reason Nextel handsets are no longer practical: the iDEN network that powered them was shut down in 2013 after Nextel's 2005 merger with Sprint. Sprint itself later merged with T-Mobile in 2020, and modern U.S. carriers now use GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G technologies rather than iDEN. As a result, most Nextel iDEN phones cannot be activated on today's major carriers.

Where you can still find used Nextel phones

You can still find Nextel/Motorola iDEN phones on resale marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Mercari and specialty vintage-electronics shops. Sellers offer models as working devices (limited functionality), as parts, or as collectibles. Prices vary widely depending on model, condition and rarity.

How to think about buying one in 2025

  • If you want a working daily phone: don't buy a Nextel iDEN handset. They are mostly incompatible with modern networks.
  • If you want a collector's item or a device for parts: buying a used Nextel phone can make sense. Popular models from Motorola and other makers can be nostalgic or useful for restoration projects.
  • If you need a low-cost working phone: look for unlocked GSM/LTE/5G refurbished devices that explicitly state carrier compatibility.

Practical tips for buying used legacy phones

  • Check the seller's photos and return policy. Ask whether the device powers on and whether the battery holds charge.
  • Confirm what you're buying: working handset, for parts, or for display. Sellers sometimes mislabel legacy phones as "activated" even though they cannot be used on modern networks.
  • Expect cosmetic wear. Many units are decades old and sold as-is.

Bottom line

Used Nextel phones remain available and inexpensive in resale markets, but their practical value today is limited. They are best purchased as collectibles or parts. For a reliable, low-cost phone you can actually use on modern networks, choose a recent unlocked or refurbished GSM/LTE device instead.

FAQs about Used Nextel Phones

Will a used Nextel phone work on my current carrier?
Generally no. Most Nextel handsets used the iDEN network, which was shut down in 2013. Modern U.S. carriers use GSM/UMTS/LTE/5G, so iDEN phones are typically incompatible.
Where can I buy used Nextel phones?
Resale marketplaces such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Mercari list Nextel and Motorola iDEN phones. Specialty vintage electronics sellers also sometimes stock them.
Are used Nextel phones worth buying?
They can be worth buying as collectibles or for parts, but they are poor choices if you need a phone for everyday use on modern networks.
What should I buy instead for a low-cost working phone?
Look for unlocked or refurbished GSM/LTE devices that explicitly list compatibility with your carrier. These will support voice/data and receive security updates longer than legacy devices.

News about Used Nextel Phones

8 Iconic Cell Phone Designs From the Early 2000s - Architectural Digest [Visit Site | Read More]

Nextel and Sprint combine in $46.5 billion merger-of-equals - Jones Day [Visit Site | Read More]

Do certain radio wave frequencies (like those used by cell phones) pose health risks? - HowStuffWorks [Visit Site | Read More]

I used the Google Pixel 10 Pro XL and iPhone 17 Pro Max, and I can't believe which one I prefer - Android Police [Visit Site | Read More]

Motorola ic502 - Review 2006 - PCMag UK [Visit Site | Read More]

Happy Birthday, iPhone! Do You Remember Your First Cell Phone? - Cat Country 107.3 [Visit Site | Read More]

Google unveils free GPS navigation for mobile phones - Phys.org [Visit Site | Read More]