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Apple Trade In Program: Everything You Need To Know

In this article, We explain how Apple trade-in program works and why it's something you should definitely consider. Click the link to read full guide.

Author:Daniel BarrettMay 23, 202233091 Shares827264 Views
Apple Trade In Program– Buying a new iPhone, iPad or Mac can be an expensive business. But if you don’t mind trading in your previous device then you can make a decent saving on the cost of its replacement. In this article, We explain how Apple trade-ins work and why it’s something you should definitely consider.
Trading in an old iPhone, iPad, or Mac can get you some extra cash to spend on a new device. Depending on where you decide to sell your device, you can get cash back or a gift card for a specific company like Apple, Amazon, or Best Buy.
While there are a few options out there from carriers to big-box retailers, you might want to take a look at Apple’s Trade In program. The program lets you trade in your iPhone, either in-store or online, for credit towards a new phone or towards your monthly payments to your carrier. Trade In offers you as much as $500 for an iPhone 11 Pro Max.
Here’s everything you need to know about Apple’s Trade In program.

What Is Apple’s Trade In Program?

Trade In is Apple’s program where you can exchange your existing devices for credit that you can use towards a new device.
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No. The iPhone Upgrade Program sees you pay off the full cost of an iPhone with Apple over 24 months. In that program, you’re eligible for an iPhone upgrade when you trade in your current device after 12 payments.

What Devices Can I Trade-in At Apple?

Trade-ins cover a wide variety of devices, including iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch. Apple doesn’t take iPods or Apple TVs, but it will recycle them for you for free. In fact, Apple says: “You can take your old small electronic equipment such as smartphones, tablets, computers or batteries to any Apple Store and we’ll recycle them responsibly and free of charge.”

How Much Do Apple Give You For Trading In Your Old Device?

As you might expect, the amount on offer varies depending on the device you want to trade. The newer the product, the more you can expect to get for it. Obviously, the condition of the device is also an important factor.

How Do I Trade In My Device?

To get started, go to the Apple Trade In website and select your trade-in device to get an estimate. For online trade-ins, you can mail in your device for free and Apple will apply the amount as a credit toward your purchase if you paid in full for it already. If you are using Apple iPhone Payments, the estimated trade-in value will be applied to the overall price of your new iPhone. If it turns out that the actual value is different than the estimate, the price will be adjusted accordingly. And if you haven’t purchased a new iPhone yet, but want to trade in an old device anyway, you’ll be issued a gift card for its value.
Using a trade-in service is always going to be more simple than selling to a person, but the convenience of doing so will cost you. You’re never going to get quite as much money from a trade-in service as you can get from direct sales, but there are some tips and tricks worth knowing before considering a trade-in.

Device Condition

Device condition is going to make a huge difference in the amount of money that you’re able to get back for an ‌iPhone‌, ‌iPad‌, or Mac. Most trade-in sites offer tiered payback based on condition, like Good, Fair, and Poor.
A functional device in good condition with no scratches or other damage is going to fetch the most money. Some sites will let small wear and tear issues slide, while others will deduct cash if a device isn’t in perfect condition.
Cracks, display issues, and other problems will drastically lower the amount of money you can get for a device, and some trade-in sites will refuse to take broken devices at all.

Activation Lock

You’ll also be asked to make sure Activation Lock has been disabled by turning off Find My iPhone, which is standard operating procedure when trading in a device. Companies ask this to make sure the device will be usable after it’s turned in.

Where Can I Check How Much Apple Will Give Me For Trading-in My Device?

To find out how much your device is worth, go to the Apple Trade-In page where you’ll see all the details and be able to get an approximate valuation. Of course, this will be confirmed when you either bring your device to the Apple store or send it in by the post.
Once you’ve visited the site mentioned above and received your quote you have two options. The first is to take your device into an Apple store, where it will be assessed to see that it matches the condition you described when getting the quote. If so, you will be given the appropriate credit to use against a new purchase in the store.
The other is to agree to the quote online and then be sent a shipping pack which allows you to safely send your device to Apple who will check that it matches your description. This process usually takes two to three weeks, and if everything goes well you’ll receive a notification of the credit. Should the device be found to be in a lower condition then described, you’ll be offered a new quote which you can either accept or request that the device be returned to you free of charge.

Can I Trade In Any iPhone?

Not exactly. For its in-store Trade In program, Apple only accepts the iPhone 6 and first-generation iPhone SEthrough iPhone 11 ProMax. You can trade in other recent smartphones or Apple devices, but when it comes to iPhones, those are the ones Apple’s willing to take.

So How Much Is Each iPhone Worth?

Apple breaks down the maximum trade-in value for each eligible iPhone like so:
  • iPhone SE (First generation): Up to $30
  • iPhone SE (Second generation): Up to $210
  • iPhone 6: Up to $30
  • iPhone 6 Plus: Up to $50
  • iPhone 6s: Up to $60
  • iPhone 6s Plus: Up to $80
  • iPhone 7: Up to $100
  • iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $140
  • iPhone 8: Up to $140
  • iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $210
  • iPhone X: Up to $250
  • iPhone XR: Up to $250
  • iPhone XS: Up to $300
  • iPhone XS Max: Up to $370
  • iPhone 11: Up to $350
  • iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $450
  • iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $500
Here’s how iPads break down:
  • iPad mini: Up to $175
  • iPad Air: Up to $210
  • iPad: Up to $200
  • iPad Pro: Up to $500
Mac:
  • Mac mini: Up to $980
  • Mac Pro: Up to $1,490
  • iMac: Up to $1,390
  • iMac Pro: Up to $3,580
  • MacBook: Up to $450
  • MacBook Air: Up to $670
  • MacBook Pro: Up to $1,760
Apple Watch:
  • Series 1: Up to $30
  • Series 2: Up to $60
  • Series 3: Up to $85
  • Series 4: Up to $145
  • Series 5: Up to $190
Apple does not currently offer trade-ins for non-Apple devices or devices not listed here, but you can send it to Apple and it will be recycled for free.

Other Trade-in Sites

There are dozens of trade-in sites that want to buy your old gear. We’ll list a few of the most popular below, but remember, as noted above, it’s a good idea to shop around and visit a few sites to get price comparisonsfor your specific device.
Gazelle– Gazelle is perhaps one of the best known independent trade-in sites. Gazelle’s prices are not always the best, but it does offer promotions at times when new devices come out, and it’s streamlined with a free shipping label provided. Gazelle has trade-in ecoATMs at various locations where you can get cash back instantly.
SellYourMac– If you need to trade-in or sell a Mac, SellYourMac is a solid choice with good reviews and prices that are competitive and often higher than other trade-in sites. Despite the name, SellYourMac also takes in iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices.

Apple Trade In Program

BuyBackWorld– BuyBackWorld is another site that offers higher than average trade-in prices. Most reviews are positive as with Decluttr, but there are some negatives such as complaints about checks taking a long time to arrive. The site’s customer service is also said to be lacking.
Decluttr– Based on our pricing spot checks, Decluttr offers trade-in prices on Apple devices that are higher than most other trade-in sites. There are a few mixed reviews to be aware of, though, with reports that Decluttr sometimes drops price offers or takes several days to provide payment.
It’s Worth More– It’s Worth More is similar to Decluttr, offering higher than average prices than you’ll get from big box trade-in programs. Reviews for It’s Worth More seem to be largely positive, but as with all of these trade-in programs, there are some complaints of offers being lower than expected once the devices are inspected.Beyond the list here, there are literally dozens if not hundreds of other sites that will buy your old devices, but most of them are fairly similar.

Selling A Device Outright

You’re always going to get the best price for an older device selling it yourself either in person using a platform like Craigslist to arrange a meetup or through a service like Swappa or eBay.
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Daniel Barrett

Daniel Barrett

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