Apple Slashes Estimated Trade-In Values of iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch Models Overnight

Overnight, Apple has quietly slashed almost all of its maximum estimated trade-in values of second-hand iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watch models.

apple trade in program
For example, yesterday on Apple's device trade-in program web page, the iPhone XS Max had an estimated trade-in value of up to $600, but today Apple is only offering up to $500 –– a full $100 less than it did 24 hours ago. The only devices that have been spared reductions are the MacBook Pro, Mac Pro, Mac mini, and Apple Watch Series 1, 2, and 3.

The new trade-in ‌iPhone‌ values on the trade-in program page match the values offered on Apple's online store when purchasing new devices. There are no special trade-in prices for Macs, iPads, and Apple Watch models when ordering a new device, so this only applies to iPhones.

We've compiled a list of all device trade-in reductions below for convenience. The new maximum estimated trade-in values are shown in bold alongside yesterday's values in brackets.

Apple's New Estimated iPhone Trade-in Values

  • ‌iPhone‌ XS Max –– up to $500 ($600)
  • ‌iPhone‌ XS –– up to $420 ($500)
  • ‌iPhone‌ XR –– up to $300 ($370)
  • ‌iPhone‌ X –– up to $320 ($400)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 Plus –– up to $250 ($300)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 8 –– up to $170 ($220)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 7 Plus –– up to $150 ($200)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 7 –– up to $120 ($150)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 6s Plus –– up to $100 ($120)
  • ‌iPhone‌ 6s –– up to $80 ($100)

Apple's New Estimated iPad Trade-in Values

Apple's New Estimated Mac Trade-in Values

  • MacBook Pro –– up to $2530 ($2530)
  • MacBook Air –– up to $660 ($670)
  • MacBook –– up to $610 ($630)
  • iMac Pro –– up to $4150 ($4240)
  • ‌iMac‌ –– up to $1500 ($1560)
  • ‌Mac Pro‌ –– up to $1700 ($1700)
  • ‌Mac mini‌ –– up to $230 ($230)

Apple's New Estimated Apple Watch Trade-in Values

  • Apple Watch Series 4 –– up to $100 ($110)
  • Apple Watch Series 3 –– up to $70 ($70)
  • Apple Watch Series 2 –– up to $60 ($60)
  • Apple Watch Series 1 –– up to $30 ($30)

The reductions appear to have occurred not just on Apple's U.S. online store, but in other countries and regions as well, including the United Kingdom. Tech blog iFun.de was first to spot the reductions in Apple's Germany online store.

Apple has heavily promoted its ‌iPhone‌ trade-in program at its retail stores and on its website for over a year now, and CEO Tim Cook recently claimed the increased emphasis has been effective, noting that a third or more of customers that visit its retail stores end up trading in an older device for a newer one.

Using Apple's trade-in service is always going to be more simple than selling to a person, but the convenience of doing so will cost you. 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. Check out our full trade-in guide for more advice.

Top Rated Comments

Royksöpp Avatar
44 months ago

At a glance, these still look very generous trade-in values.
Are you okay? Serious question.

iPhone XS Max
Launch Price - $1099 + Tax
Trade In - $500
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
az431 Avatar
44 months ago
So you’re saying the fair market value of a used phone goes down over time?

I haven’t been this shocked since I learned glass breaks when dropped.


Are you okay? Serious question.

iPhone XS Max
Launch Price - $1099 + Tax
Trade In - $500
Are YOU ok?

A used XS Max on eBay is going for around $550, with many selling in the low $400 range.

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F283737777422
Score: 35 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Kobayagi Avatar
44 months ago
They have become so stingy it's crazy. They have either increased prices, removed supplied accessoires and/or decreased trade-in values for every existing product.

Examples:

- MacBooks not coming with a extension cable anymore. (now you need to buy it if you need it)
- Headphone jack - lightning adapter not included anymore. (now you need to buy it if you need)
- Apple Pencil 2 doesn't come with a extra tip. (now you need to buy it if you need it)
- Increased cpu and ram upgrade costs. (At least here in Europe)
- This article.

I'm sure there is a lot more, but these are a few example that just popped into my head.
Score: 28 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tridley68 Avatar
44 months ago
$290.00 for an I pad pro when I paid over a $1000.00 I think not for that little bit I will pass it down to one of my kids to play with.
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dumastudetto Avatar
44 months ago
At a glance, these still look very generous trade-in values.
Score: 14 Votes (Like | Disagree)
mikejd1 Avatar
44 months ago
Nothing to see here folks, it’s called depreciation
Score: 11 Votes (Like | Disagree)

Popular Stories

Google Assistant

Google I/O 2016: Assistant, Home, Allo, Duo, Android N, and More

Wednesday May 18, 2016 11:51 am PDT by
Google hosted its annual I/O developers keynote at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California today, announcing multiple new products and services related to Android, search, messaging, home automation, and more. Google Assistant Google Assistant is described as a "conversational assistant" that builds upon Google Now based on two-way dialog. The tool can be used, for example,...