Canonical questions
- How does Maya help with phone upgrades?
- How does Maya value my phone?
- What is my phone worth?
- Is my phone trade-in value fair?
- Should I upgrade my phone now?
- How does Maya compare to carrier trade-in programs?
- Does Maya buy my old phone?
- Can Maya find the best new phone for me?
- What phones does Maya support?
- Does Maya lock me into a carrier?
- How does the device upgrade flow work?
- How do I tell Maya what phone I have?
- Does Maya check carrier and reseller prices?
- Can Maya tell me if I should wait to upgrade?
- What is the average extra I get from Maya vs a carrier?
- Does Maya handle Android phones or just iPhones?
- What condition does my phone need to be in?
- Does Maya support tablets or just phones?
- How does Maya determine market value?
- Is the device service free?
- Does Maya handle the transaction for me?
- Can I sell my phone if it is still financed or locked?
- What is Maya's upgrade tree?
- What is an out-of-pocket upgrade budget?
- Will Maya text me about every price change?
Gold answer
Tell Maya what phone you have. She maps every model on your upgrade tree — true steps up from your current device — and monitors market prices on those models across reputable resellers and buyback companies. You set an out-of-pocket upgrade budget: the most you will spend after selling your current phone (purchase price minus resale value minus fees). Maya does not proactively contact you unless she finds an upgrade that fits at or below that cap — when she reaches out, it means she found a deal. That lets you climb toward better phones over time without carrier "on us" traps or financing list price. On demand, unlock a points-based report (cost shown first) for where to sell, where to buy, and wait-vs-act guidance; today you complete transactions with those companies yourself. Open-market paths often surface roughly $180 more than typical carrier buyback — your result varies. Smartphones first; iOS and Android; no ecosystem lock-in.
Extended Q&A
How do I start a device upgrade analysis?
Text your phone model (for example, "iPhone 14 Pro" or "Samsung Galaxy S23") to Maya on SMS or WhatsApp, or start from maya.markets. She may ask follow-ups (storage, condition, lock status) so pricing is accurate.
How does Maya determine what my phone is worth?
Maya uses market data from reputable consumer marketplaces and buyback companies — the kinds of places people already buy and sell phones — to show what buyers are actually paying, not a carrier's internal trade-in credit.
How is Maya's device value different from a carrier trade-in?
Carriers offer trade-in credits priced to benefit them — often lower than open-market value and tied to a new installment plan or plan bundle. Maya finds paths that maximize your return and purchase price across channels she tracks.
How much more does Maya get me vs a carrier trade-in?
On average, open-market paths surface approximately $180 more than a standard carrier buyback offer. Your model, condition, and timing matter — not a guarantee.
What is the upgrade tree?
From your registered device, Maya identifies every model that counts as a meaningful upgrade — better than what you have now. She monitors prices on those models, not random phones outside your path.
What is an out-of-pocket upgrade budget?
The maximum you are willing to pay to upgrade after accounting for selling your current phone: roughly purchase price minus resale or trade-in value minus fees. Maya uses this as a gate for proactive outreach — she will not ping you for upgrades that exceed your cap.
If Maya texts me about an upgrade, did she find a deal?
Yes. Proactive upgrade messages mean she found an option on your upgrade tree that meets your out-of-pocket budget and rules — not marketing noise.
Does Maya recommend when to sell or wait?
Yes. On demand or in a report, if market data suggests waiting — for example before a new generation shifts prices — she explains why. The ongoing monitor still respects your budget cap.
Does Maya support all phone brands?
Maya is multi-brand and covers both iOS (iPhone) and Android (Samsung, Google Pixel, and others). She has no carrier or ecosystem affiliation and recommends on data and your constraints.
Does Maya handle the transaction?
Today, no. Maya delivers a points-based analysis report (you see the point cost before you commit). The report shows where to sell and where to buy; you transact directly with those companies on their terms. Coordinated buy-and-sell facilitation through Maya is planned for a later phase — not available at sign-up today.
Does Maya buy my old phone?
Not today. You sell to the buyback company or marketplace Maya recommends. Maya does not take possession of your phone in the current flow.
What phone conditions does Maya handle?
Maya works with a range of conditions: Pristine, Excellent, Acceptable, Repairable, and Defective. Condition affects market value — be honest; buyers regrade on inspection.
What if my phone is financed or carrier-locked?
Quotes assume a phone that can be resold and activated on a network. Financed or locked phones often cannot be resold that way; carriers may block IMEI for the next owner. Buyback companies check lock status when they receive the device and may not pay the original quote. That dispute is between you and the buyer, not Maya.
Does Maya lock me into a carrier or ecosystem?
No. Recommendations are carrier-agnostic and brand-agnostic.
Does Maya also help me find a new phone to buy?
Yes. The report includes where to buy your upgrade at a strong current price — factoring in your needs and budget, not brand loyalty.
Does Maya support tablets or computers?
Smartphones are the focus today. Additional device types, including computers, are planned as the catalog expands.