Apple Confirms iPhone Trade-In Program Launching Today at U.S. Retail Stores [Updated]

Apple has officially confirmed that it is launching its iPhone trade-in program today at its U.S. retail stores, according to a Tweet from CNBC's Jon Fortt. While a number of details on the program have leaked over the past few months, today's statement is the first public confirmation by Apple that the program exists.

iphone5.jpg
Under the program, users can receive a gift card in exchange for their older devices, although the gift card must immediately be used toward the purchase of a new iPhone. Trade-in values are based on a number of criteria, including model and capacity and physical condition.

The trade-in program launches less than two weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation iPhones at a media event on September 10. Rumors and speculation indicate that the new iPhones could be available in the U.S. and other first-wave markets beginning on Friday, September 20.

Update: More details are coming out about the trade-in program. Apple is calling it a "reuse and recycling" program and trade-ins for working iPhone 4 and 4S devices ranging from $120 to $250, according to TechCrunch. Customers must use the money to purchase a new on-contract phone.

Apple provided this statement to TechCrunch regarding the new program:

iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

m1 chip slide

Five Years of Apple Silicon: M1 to M5 Performance Comparison

Monday November 10, 2025 1:08 pm PST by
Today marks the fifth anniversary of the Apple silicon chip that replaced Intel chips in Apple's Mac lineup. The first Apple silicon chip, the M1, was unveiled on November 10, 2020. The M1 debuted in the MacBook Air, Mac mini, and 13-inch MacBook Pro. The M1 chip was impressive when it launched, featuring the "world's fastest CPU core" and industry-leading performance per watt, and it's only ...
iOS 26

iOS 26.2 Available Next Month With These 8 New Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 9:48 am PST by
Apple released the first iOS 26.2 beta last week. The upcoming update includes a handful of new features and changes on the iPhone, including a new Liquid Glass slider for the Lock Screen's clock, offline lyrics in Apple Music, and more. In a recent press release, Apple confirmed that iOS 26.2 will be released to all users in December, but it did not provide a specific release date....
All Screen iPhone 2027 Feature 1

Apple to Hide Selfie Camera Under Display of 20th Anniversary iPhone

Monday November 10, 2025 1:55 am PST by
Apple will conceal the front-facing camera under the screen of its 2027 iPhone, a Chinese leaker said today, corroborating reports that Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone will have no visible cutouts in the display. Weibo-based account Digital Chat Station said Apple's development of under-screen camera technology was progressing as planned for adoption in 2027, one year after it will...
iphone pocket%402x

Apple Debuts iPhone Pocket, a Limited Edition iPod Sock-Style Accessory

Tuesday November 11, 2025 1:23 am PST by
Apple has teamed up with Japanese fashion house ISSEY MIYAKE to launch iPhone Pocket, a 3D-knitted limited edition accessory designed to carry an iPhone, AirPods, and other everyday items. The accessory is like a stretchy pocket, not unlike an iPod Sock, but elongated to form a strap made of a ribbed, elastic textile that fully encloses an iPhone yet allows you to glimpse the display...
iphone air thinness

iPhone Air Sales Are So Bad That Apple's Delaying the Next-Generation Version

Monday November 10, 2025 11:41 am PST by
The thin, light iPhone Air sold so poorly that Apple has decided to delay the launch of the next-generation iPhone Air that was scheduled to come out alongside the iPhone 18 Pro, reports The Information. Apple initially planned to release a new iPhone Air in fall 2026, but now that's not going to happen. Since the iPhone Air launched in September, there have been reports of poor sales...
homepod mini colors

New HomePod Mini Coming Soon With These Features

Tuesday November 11, 2025 7:30 am PST by
Apple is expected to announce a new HomePod mini imminently, headlining with new chips. Here are all of the new features we're expecting. The second-generation HomePod mini is highly likely to contain a more up-to-date chip for more advanced computational audio and improved responsiveness. The current HomePod mini is equipped with the Apple Watch Series 5's S5 chip from 2019. Apple is likely ...
Early Black Friday Deals 1

The Best Early Black Friday Apple Deals on AirPods, Apple Watch, iPad, and More

Saturday November 8, 2025 6:16 am PST by
We're officially in the month of Black Friday, which will take place on Friday, November 28 in 2025. As always, this will be the best time of the year to shop for great deals, including popular Apple products like AirPods, iPad, Apple Watch, and more. In this article, the majority of the discounts will be found on Amazon. Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When ...
Apple fitness plus feature

Future of Apple Fitness+ 'Under Review'

Sunday November 9, 2025 5:30 am PST by
The future of Apple Fitness+ is "under review" amid a reorganization of the service, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. In the latest edition of his "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that Apple Fitness+ remains one of the company's "weakest digital offerings." The service apparently suffers from high churn and little revenue. Nevertheless, Fitness+ has a small, loyal fanbase that...
iphone black friday gold

The Best Early Black Friday iPhone Deals

Monday November 10, 2025 10:18 am PST by
Cellular carriers have always offered big savings on the newest iPhone models during the holidays, and Black Friday 2025 sales have kicked off at AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and more. Right now we're tracking notable offers on the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, and iPhone Air. For even more savings, keep an eye on older models during the holiday shopping season. Note: MacRumors is...
2024 iPhone Boxes Feature

Apple Adjusts Trade-In Values for iPhones, iPads, Macs, and More

Thursday November 6, 2025 11:12 am PST by
Apple today updated its trade-in values for select iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. Trade-ins can be completed on Apple's website, or at an Apple Store. The charts below provide an overview of Apple's current and previous trade-in values in the U.S., according to its website. Maximum values for most devices either decreased or saw no change, but the iPad Air received a slight bump. ...

Top Rated Comments

M-O Avatar
159 months ago
i'll give you two iPhone 4's and a 4S for an iPhone 5S. since I like your face, i'll also throw in a free t-shirt and potato peeler. deal?

----------

Best Buy is doing trade-ins and you get 50% off an iPhone 5 purchase.

50% off the subsidized price. So they give you $100 for your $450 iPhone 4.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chupa Chupa Avatar
159 months ago
I'll stick to selling on craigslist. Value is higher there. Gazelle would only offer about $330 for my 64 gig unlocked Verizon iPhone 5. I can get around 400 on CL.
Depends on how one values there time though. Gazelle you basically put it in a box and drop off. CL you have to post a message, filter out the fakers, respond to interested parties, wait for or meet buyer, hope the buyer shows up. All that takes more than an hour cumulatively. Unless one works at the mall for $15/hr, $70 for more than a cumulative hours work isn't worth that hassle.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lancetx Avatar
159 months ago
What I'd like to know is how Apple will implement this via their online store ordering process. For example, will I be able to order a new 5S online on the first day of pre-orders for in-store pickup and also trade in my old iPhone there at the same time or something? Otherwise this has no appeal for me since the Apple retail stores have low stock on new iPhones for several weeks after a new model is released.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Intarweb Avatar
159 months ago
Trade-in values?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tonytiger13 Avatar
159 months ago
Presumably this is for the people to which the few hundred pounds difference extra you'd make from selling on eBay is peanuts.

And really lazy poor people.

A few hundred pounds eh? I'm not saying you're wrong, but on average, I've been seeing 16GB 4S's go for $215-$250 on eBay. On Gazelle, it's $175 as a previous poster said. So $40-$75 difference isn't anything to scoff at, but maybe things are different across the pond. A few hundred pounds would be like $300-$400!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vdesilva Avatar
159 months ago
i'll give you two iPhone 4's and a 4S for an iPhone 5S. since I like your face, i'll also throw in a free t-shirt and potato peeler. deal?

----------



50% off the subsidized price. So they give you $100 for your $450 iPhone 4.

the Beat Buy deal is UP TO 50% OFF
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)