If you've been thinking about buying an iPhone 15, Apple just gave you a gentle nudge to take the plunge by raising maximum trade-in prices for older phones, but only until June 3.
Apple Trade In is the easiest, if not the most financially rewarding, way to trade in your old iPhone for a new one and get a little money off your new purchase. And from today until June 3, Apple has slightly increased the credit it offers for older models from the iPhone 11 onwards.
As you can see in the table below, the credit increases during this period are small: from an extra $10 for iPhone SE (3rd generation) to a more generous extra $30 for the iPhone 13 mini. On the other hand, with the future of the iPhone mini up in the air, it would be wise to hold on to that model if you like the form factor.
The prices below are also just an “estimated trade-in value”, and the actual amount depends on the condition of your phone. To find out the exact value of your phone, head to Apple's official trade-in page and answer questions about its storage, serial number, and more.
| Model | New trade-in value (max) | Typical trade-in value (max.) |
| iPhone SE (3rd generation) | $170 | $160 |
| iPhone 13 mini | $300 | $270 |
| iPhone 13 | $320 | $300 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | $380 | $370 |
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | $460 | $450 |
| iPhone 14 | $380 | $370 |
| iPhone 14 Plus | $430 | $420 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | $530 | $520 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | $650 | $630 |
Once your trade-in is confirmed, you can mail in your old phone or drop it off at an Apple Store. Apple will refurbish your old phone and sell it to a new owner, or recycle it if it's in poor condition.
A recent Bloomberg report revealed that Apple's recycling process has had historical problems, but Apple claims that its recycling has greatly improved since those lawsuits in 2020 and that “we are pioneering innovative new ways to recover the valuable materials inside,” according to a spokesperson.
Still, either way, you're likely to get more money for your old iPhone by checking comparison sites (like ItsWorthMore), retailers, or doing a private sale on sites like eBay…
Should You Use Apple Trade In?
While minor, these price increases for Apple Trade In are welcome, as their credit offers generally lag behind the prices you can get for your old iPhone elsewhere.
For example, an unlocked iPhone 13 in good condition with its original box can cost around $350 at companies like ItsWorthMore or Swappa, which is more than the $320 that Apple is offering until June 3 with its increased Trade In values.
Of course, the benefit of going with Apple is convenience: If you're planning to buy a new iPhone, being able to trade in your old one at the same time can save you time and hassle.
Plus, despite Bloomberg's recent behind-the-scenes report on the problems Apple encountered with e-waste and recycling contractors, the company remains one of the most transparent ways to recycle your old iPhone if you're not in a position to resell it. .
So for some, it might be worth taking advantage of these elevated Apple Trade In prices over the next week, but only if you're not waiting for an iPhone 16 (which will likely arrive in September).
