Apple sometimes shifts the trade-in prices that it offers, so it's worth shopping around. There are no special trade-in prices for Macs, iPads, and Apple Watch devices, so this only applies to iPhones. For example, Apple offers $349 for an iPhone X in good condition when using the standard trade-in site, but when purchasing another device, you can get $450 for that same iPhone. To get Apple's top prices when trading in an iPhone, you need to do the trade-in when purchasing another device. As seen in the price comparison listings below, Apple offers fair prices - sometimes much higher than other trade-in sites - and provides money for your old products in the form of an Apple gift card.
HOW TO TRADE IN YOUR MAC FOR A BETTER ONE UPGRADE
If you're trading in an Apple product and want to upgrade to another Apple product, going the Apple trade-in route is a great idea. Companies ask this to make sure the device will be usable after it's turned in. 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. Most services have an option to pay less if the condition doesn't match up or send it back to you. Services that receive your device will inspect it on their end to make sure the quality of your device matches up with how you described it. Some sites will let small wear and tear issues slide, while others will deduct cash if a device isn't in perfect condition.Īll trade-in sites will ask you specific questions about the condition of your device, making sure it powers on, is fully functional, has no display issues, and no cracks.Ĭracks, 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. Most trade-in sites offer tiered payback based on condition, like Good, Fair, and Poor.Ī functional device in good condition with no scratches or other damage is going to fetch the most money. 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.ĭevice 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. 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. There are generally three options when you have an old device you want to get rid of: Trading it in through a company like Apple or a service like Gazelle, selling it in person via a service like Craigslist, or selling it to a person online through a service like eBay or Swappa. Using a comparison site like Flipsy, uSell, or SellCell to compare trade-in prices can also be beneficial when you want to do some shopping around to get the best price for your particular device. There are so many options out there and prices vary based on device and promotions that might be running, so your absolute best bet if you want to do a trade-in using a trade-in site is to spend 15 to 20 minutes doing price checks on some of the most prominent trade-in sites listed below.
What's most important to know when trading in a device is that there's no one best site or service.
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. Trading in an old iPhone, iPad, or Mac can get you some extra cash to spend on a new device.