Apple bumps trade‑in values for most older iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches
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Apple bumps trade‑in values for most older iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches

Smartphones Reporter
6 min read

Apple has raised the US trade‑in prices for a wide range of legacy devices, giving owners a modest cash boost while Android offers slip slightly. The adjustments reflect higher resale demand and hint at Apple’s strategy to keep customers inside its ecosystem.

Apple bumps trade‑in values for most older iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches

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Apple updated the trade‑in calculator on its US website this week, increasing the credit you receive for many older iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models. The changes are modest – most adjustments are between $5 and $35 – but they add up for users with multiple devices. At the same time, valuations for a handful of Android phones fell, signalling a subtle shift in Apple’s buy‑back policy.


What’s new for iPhone owners?

Model New trade‑in value Old trade‑in value Change
iPhone 16 Pro Max Up to $695 Up to $685 +$10
iPhone 16 Pro Up to $560 Up to $550 +$10
iPhone 16 Plus Up to $465 Up to $455 +$10
iPhone 16 Up to $460 Up to $435 +$25
iPhone 15 Pro Max Up to $490 Up to $465 +$25
iPhone 15 Pro Up to $410 Up to $375 +$35
iPhone 15 Plus Up to $325 Up to $320 +$5
iPhone 15 Up to $320 Up to $310 +$10
iPhone 14 Pro Max Up to $375 Up to $350 +$25
iPhone 14 Pro Up to $320 Up to $295 +$25
iPhone SE (3rd gen) Up to $80 Up to $75 +$5
iPhone 13 Pro Max Up to $320 Up to $305 +$15
iPhone 13 Pro Up to $260 Up to $240 +$20
iPhone 13 mini Up to $150 Up to $145 +$5
iPhone 11 Pro Max Up to $150 Up to $145 +$5
iPhone 11 Pro Up to $135 Up to $130 +$5

Most of the older‑generation iPhones (iPhone 12 series and earlier) kept the same price, with a few minor tweaks. The net effect is a slightly higher resale floor for devices that are still in decent condition, which could make upgrading to the iPhone 16 line a bit more attractive.


iPad, Mac and Watch updates

iPads

Model New value Old value Change
iPad Pro Up to $690 Up to $670 +$20
iPad Air Up to $460 Up to $445 +$15
iPad Up to $235 Up to $220 +$15
iPad mini Up to $265 Up to $250 +$15

Macs

Model New value Old value Change
MacBook Pro Up to $690 Up to $685 +$5
MacBook Air Up to $520 Up to $485 +$35
Mac mini Up to $375 Up to $340 +$35
Mac Studio Up to $1,045 Up to $975 +$70

The Mac Studio bump is the largest single increase, suggesting Apple wants to keep high‑end desktop owners in the trade‑in loop, perhaps to feed the growing demand for refurbished units.

Apple Watch

Model New value Old value Change
Apple Watch Ultra 2 Up to $305 Up to $295 +$10
Apple Watch Series 9 Up to $130 Up to $120 +$10
Apple Watch SE (2nd gen) Up to $60 Up to $55 +$5

Series 10 and Series 8 stayed flat, while the older Ultra model lost $10.


Android trade‑ins dip slightly

Apple still accepts a range of Android phones, but the new list shows lower credits for several flagship models. The most notable change is the removal of the Samsung Galaxy S24 series; the highest‑valued Android now is the Galaxy S23 Ultra, which fell from $230 to $200, a $30 reduction.

Model New value Old value Change
Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Up to $200 Up to $230 -$30
Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra Up to $130 Up to $135 -$5
Google Pixel 8 Pro Up to $165 Up to $170 -$5
Google Pixel 6 Pro Up to $50 Up to $55 -$5
Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Up to $90 Up to $95 -$5

The reductions are small, but they reinforce Apple’s focus on its own hardware ecosystem. Users who plan to trade in a recent Android device will receive a few dollars less than a month ago.


Why the adjustments matter

  1. Resale value stays healthy – As new iPhone launch prices climb, a higher trade‑in credit helps keep the total cost of ownership manageable for existing customers.
  2. Ecosystem lock‑in – By offering a better price on Apple‑branded devices, the company nudges owners toward staying within its product line rather than switching to a competitor.
  3. Refurbished market boost – Higher buy‑back prices give Apple more inventory of used hardware, which can be refreshed and sold at a premium in the certified‑refurbished channel.
  4. Signal to Android makers – The slight downgrade for Android phones may encourage Samsung and Google to improve their own trade‑in programs to stay competitive.

How to claim the new rates

  1. Visit the Apple Trade‑In page and select the device you want to exchange.
  2. Answer the condition questions; Apple will display the updated credit.
  3. Ship the device using the prepaid label or bring it to an Apple Store.
  4. The credit is applied instantly to your Apple Store account, or you can request a gift card.

If you have multiple devices, you can add them one after another; the system will recalculate the total credit each time.


Bottom line

Apple’s modest trade‑in hikes give owners of older iPhones, iPads, Macs and Watches a small financial boost, while Android valuations slip a bit. The move aligns with Apple’s broader strategy of keeping customers within its hardware loop and feeding the refurbished market with higher‑quality units. For anyone eyeing the iPhone 16 series, the updated trade‑in values make the upgrade path a little less painful.

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