Here's a Look at Trade-In Values for Current iPhones if You're Preparing for the iPhone X

With the launch of new iPhones right around the corner, many users will be looking at trading in their old iPhone models for a chance to reduce the price of the iPhone X, which is reported to be the most expensive iPhone ever released.

To help out with the search for the best trade-in values, we've decided to look at some of the most popular recycling websites to see how much you can get back for the iPhone 7 32GB, iPhone 7 Plus 128GB, iPhone 6s 32GB, and iPhone 6s Plus 128GB. Although not all-encompassing, this should provide a helpful glimpse at where to start shopping around for the best value for your current iPhone as you make your upgrade plans for the iPhone X, iPhone 8, or iPhone 8 Plus.

iPhone trade-in values were looked at on the following websites: Amazon, Gazelle, NextWorth, MyPhones Unlimited, Best Buy, and GameStop.

A few things to note -- although each website's trade-in process differs, prices on average centered on a device in "good" or equivalent condition. Prices sometimes fluctuate depending on color (albeit not by much), and if the option was available "Black" was chosen for iPhone 7 devices and "Silver" for iPhone 6s devices. Quotes are also subject to change over time.

Check out how the prices compared in the charts below:

iPhone 7 32GB

iPhone 7 Plus 128GB

iPhone 6s 32GB

iPhone 6s Plus 128GB

A few of the reseller sites also have some notable discounts and special programs running as we enter iPhone launch season. Gazelle lets you lock your top-tier quote on an iPhone from now until September 22, and you'll have until October 22 to mail it in.

This extended grace period is Gazelle's way of ensuring customers can get the most for their old iPhones (or any smartphone) right now, before the prices depreciate after the announcement and launch of the iPhone X. If you trade in your old smartphone during this time frame, you'll also be entered into Gazelle's Paid to Trade sweepstakes, which will offer three winners the "approximate value" of an iPhone X.

If you decide to go with MyPhones Unlimited, the site has an exclusive offer for MacRumors readers: add an extra $10 to your quoted trade-in price with the promo code rumors.

Apple has an iPhone Trade-Up program of its own as well, which will net you an Apple gift card for the value of your old iPhone. Regarding the iPhone models listed above, Apple's program will see average trade-in values of $375 (iPhone 7 32GB), $425 (iPhone 7 Plus 128GB), $215 (iPhone 6s 32GB), and $260 (iPhone 6s Plus 128GB).

Carriers themselves also have their own trade-in programs with quotes that mostly hit around the prices offered by the previously listed reseller sites. AT&T and Verizon were the best in this regard, with AT&T offering $270 for an iPhone 7 32GB from AT&T, and Verizon even beating that price (for an AT&T-locked device) at $302. On the opposite end, Sprint's quote for the same phone was $165.

If you're willing to enter sites like eBay and Craigslist, there's the usual opportunity to get well above the prices displayed in these charts. Quick quote searches on each site averaged prices between $500-$550 for an iPhone 7 32GB on AT&T, $200 above the highest trade-in price that we found from MyPhones Unlimited.

Of course, the eBay and Craigslist marketplaces come with the usual added risk of selling items to other consumers online. You'd have to part with your current iPhone immediately, and potentially be without a smartphone for the amount of time it will take the new device to come in, which in the case of the iPhone X could be weeks or even months. With trade-in sites like Gazelle, you have the option to lock-in a price ahead of time, and then receive a grace period (usually around 30 days) in which you have to send your old device in.

Notable too is eBay's "Quick Sale" storefront, which acts more like trade-in sites than the traditional eBay marketplace. Here you can type in the brand, storage, carrier, and other relevant information for your smartphone, with quotes averaging about $60-$100 above competitor sites for iPhone 7 devices. Older phones aren't supported, however, so the iPhone 6s and iPhone 6s Plus can't be traded in to eBay's Quick Sale valet program.

For more deals, discounts, and news on the latest sales, be sure to visit the MacRumors Deals Roundup.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors.

Related Roundup: iPhone 8

Top Rated Comments

(View all)

IJ Reilly

28 months ago

I'd like to add that if you can wait, carriers sometimes run better trade-in deals.

The best advice I've seen so far in this thread. The carriers are way more motivated to give you something extra for your old phone if they can induce you to stay with them.

Rating: 10 Votes

RF9

28 months ago

This is one reason I went with the (in this case Verizon) upgrade program. I typically get one of the highest end SKUs and they do not retain their value. I pay $200 more for the top storage but that translates to about $30 resale value over the mid model.
With Verizon, an iPhone 7 Plus 256GB bought for $970 can be traded when 1/2 the value is paid off. That's effectively a $485 trade-in value (doesn't even have to be flawless) which is way better than I can do with Gazelle, Gamestop, Best Buy, Apple, or anyone else which is around $380 (good) or $420 (flawless) while a 128GB gets $30 less.
If I do not trade in at 12 months, then selling it may become a better deal. But at this point, I'm just going to trade in for the 8 Plus or X in November when I've made 12 payments.

I'd like to add that if you can wait, carriers sometimes run better trade-in deals.
Last year on Black Friday (and repeated around Christmas) Verizon was giving $650 trade-in value on iPhone 6S and $620 on a two year old iPhone 6. That's the only reason I upgraded at the time otherwise I'd have waited until this year.
Speculation is that deals won't be as aggressive this year as carrier wars have cooled down, but you never know. If you don't need it day one, then hold out until at least Jan 1 to see what promos come down. I think Target had a good deal too.

Rating: 5 Votes

bbeagle

28 months ago

What a joke, who would ever do this? You can get almost 50%-75% more selling it yourself. Total rip off!

You can also get 0% by selling it yourself if you're robbed / tricked. This is what many people are scared of and avoid. Not everyone is savvy enough to understand how to sell things online or person-to-person without any issues.

Rating: 5 Votes

paul43

28 months ago

unlocked right now on ebay, 2 iPhone 7's are about to sell at auction for $450 and the other at $500

Rating: 4 Votes

SHirsch999

28 months ago

What about Apple in-Store trade-in prices?
I always trade in my old iPhone for new and don't bother selling off on ebay. Yes, I lose 30-50 pounds maybe but much less hustle.

I wish I could lose 30-50 pounds with much less hassle.

Rating: 4 Votes

phillytim

28 months ago

It's borderline criminal that trade-in values are still so low, now that we're in the post-subsidized era.

Rating: 3 Votes

Weaselboy

28 months ago

I suspect many people who use these services are like me and just don't want to fuss around with eBay or similar.

Comparing the Gazelle price, for example, for my iPhone 7 it looks like after fees and all, I could clear about an extra $100 by selling on eBay. For me that is just not worth the risk or hassle of using eBay.

I get why people want to sell themselves and squeeze out everything they can from the sale, but I just don't want to mess around with it.

Rating: 3 Votes

justiny

28 months ago

If you don't need it day one, then hold out until at least Jan 1 to see what promos come down. I think Target had a good deal too.

Solid advice.

My wife and I upgraded both of our 5s to 6s at Target in March of 2016. We got a great deal of $150 Target gift cards for each of us ($300 total). Of course, gift cards are not the same as cash but my wife loves shopping at Target anyways so the deal suited us well, and it was six months after the product launch.

Honestly, the older I get, the less I need to have the latest and greatest the soonest. Good things come to those who can wait. YMMV.

Rating: 3 Votes

brownpaw

28 months ago

Hoping for a repeat of last year's Verizon deal for ~$600 worth of credit for the two-year-old model.

Rating: 3 Votes