Apple slashes trade-in values for its iPhones and more

For at least the third time this year, Apple has slashed the trade-in values for its various products.

It means that if you’re shopping at Apple during this holiday season and plan to hand over your old device for a new one, the credit you receive will be less than if you’d done it before November 10.

Comparing Apple’s current trade-in webpage with an archived version, we see some quite significant changes to maximum trade-in values across its range of products.

For iPhones, the trade-in value largely depends on the model, storage size, and condition. For example, up until Wednesday, the maximum trade-in value for the iPhone 13 Pro Max was $720, but it’s been cut to $650.

The iPhone 13 Pro’s maximum trade-in value has also fallen by $50, from $600 to $550, while trading in an iPhone 13 will get you up to $450, down from $470.

Regarding slightly older devices, the iPhone 12 Pro used to get you up to $430, whereas that’s been cut to $400, while the iPhone 11 Pro now gets you up to $250, down from $300.

Several handsets have retained their trade-in value, including the two retired iPhone Mini handsets (12 and 13), which continue to get you up to $250 and $380, respectively. The iPhone SE 2 also continues to get you up to $100.

Looking at some of its other products, we see that anyone trading in an iPad Pro will now receive up to $445, down from $500. The iPad Air’s maximum trade-in value has fallen by $15 to $230, the iPad by $35 to $160, and the iPad Mini by $15 to $240.

Computers are also hit, with, for example, the MacBook Pro’s maximum trade-in value now standing at $630, down from $850, and an iMac getting you up to $530 when it used to be $680.

Even the diminutive Apple Watch doesn’t escape the trade-in reductions. For example, handing over your Apple Watch Series 6 will get you up to $105, down from $125, while the SE’s maximum trade-in value stands at $70, marking a $5 reduction. The Apple Watch Series 7 remains unchanged at up to $155.

It’s normal for Apple to take this kind of action, but the timing may irk some customers who had recently budgeted for an Apple purchase with a trade-in as part of the deal, especially as we head into the holiday season when personal finances can be tight.

Of course, you don’t have to trade in your phone with Apple. In fact, taking another route will likely result in a better deal. Digital Trends has some excellent tips for selling your iPhone, though the advice can be easily applied to other gadgets, too.

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