Apple Trade-In Values 2026: What Your Old iPhone, Mac & iPad Are Worth

Q: Is Apple trade-in worth it?

It is the most convenient option but rarely the most money. Apple typically pays around 70 percent of market value versus about 92 percent selling privately, so you often leave $90 to $300 on the table. It is worth it if you value speed over squeezing out every dollar.

Q: Do I need the original box for Apple trade-in?

No. Apple does not require the box or accessories for full trade-in value, though keeping the box helps you get a higher price when selling privately.

Q: Does Apple accept Android phones for trade-in?

Some. For example a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra up to about $200 or a Pixel 8 Pro up to about $165 as of May 2026, capped around $360. Many older Android phones get zero and are recycle-only. Sign out of your Google or Samsung account first.

Trading in your old device is the easiest way to knock money off a new Apple purchase — but Apple's trade-in is also one of the lowest offers you'll get. As of mid-2026, Apple Trade In pays up to about $695 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, around $310 for an iPhone 15, roughly $195–$225 for an iPhone 13 or 14, and $100 or less for an iPhone 11 and older. Those are best-case maximums for a flawless phone, they're paid as credit rather than cash, and selling privately usually nets more. Here's what your device is actually worth, how the program works, and how to get the most for it.

Apple trade-in values 2026 (what your device is worth)

These are Apple's official "up to" maximum estimates for the U.S., from Apple's Trade In updates dated March 2 and May 27, 2026. Real offers after inspection are usually lower, and Apple revises these numbers every month or two — so always check the live page for your exact model.

iPhone

Model	Apple trade-in (up to)
iPhone 16 Pro Max	$695
iPhone 16 Pro	$560
iPhone 16 / 16 Plus	$460 / $465
iPhone 16e	$310
iPhone 15 Pro Max / Pro	$465 / $375
iPhone 15	$310
iPhone 14 Pro Max / Pro	$350 / $295
iPhone 14	$225
iPhone 13 Pro / 13	$240 / $195
iPhone 12 / 12 Pro	$125 / $180
iPhone 11	$100
iPhone SE (3rd gen)	$75

iPad, Mac & Apple Watch

Device	Apple trade-in (up to)
iPad Pro	$690
iPad Air	$460
iPad mini / iPad	$265 / $235
MacBook Pro	$690 (top Mac Pro up to $2,045)
Mac Studio	$1,045
MacBook Air	$520
Apple Watch Ultra 2	$305
Apple Watch Series 10	$150

Apple raised its top iPhone estimate to $695 and iPad Pro to $690 in the May 27, 2026 update (MacRumors). One thing to note: Apple's published trade-in table doesn't yet list the iPhone 17 line — higher figures you may see quoted for the 17 come from carriers and resellers, not Apple's own estimate.

How Apple Trade In works

The process is genuinely simple, which is its main appeal:

Get an instant online estimate at apple.com/shop/trade-in (or in an Apple Store) by answering questions about your device's condition.
Choose to apply the credit toward a new purchase or take it as an Apple Gift Card — Apple never pays cash.
Ship it free with a prepaid kit, or hand it in at a store.
Apple inspects it. If the condition matches what you described, you get the quoted value; if not, you get a revised (usually lower) offer you can accept or reject.
Your old device must arrive within 14 days of receiving the new one. Devices that don't qualify are recycled for free — for $0 credit.

Before you send anything, turn off Find My (Settings → your name → Find My), sign out of iCloud, and erase the device — an active activation lock makes it ineligible. You don't need the original box or accessories to get full trade-in value.

Trade in or sell? The gap is bigger than you think

Apple's convenience comes at a real cost. Independent tests put Apple's payout at roughly 70% of a device's market value, versus about 92% selling on eBay — a difference of $90 or more on a mid-range iPhone (BankMyCell). In one comparison an iPhone 14 Pro drew offers from $320 (a carrier trade-in) to $640 (a peer-to-peer sale) — a $320 spread on the identical phone. Buyback services like Gazelle, Decluttr and Back Market usually land 15–30% below Apple but at least pay actual cash to your bank.

Carrier trade-in deals advertise the biggest numbers — "up to $1,100 off" a new iPhone at T-Mobile, AT&T or Verizon — but the fine print matters: those are bill credits spread over 24–36 months that require you to keep a qualifying unlimited plan for the entire term (Tom's Guide). Leave early and the remaining credits vanish.

How to get the most for your old device

Sell before a new launch. Trade-in values drop sharply around each September iPhone release, so cashing out in summer beats waiting.
Fix the easy stuff. A clean device with healthy battery (above ~85%) and no cracks holds its quote; damage triggers a lower revised offer at inspection.
Compare three quotes — Apple, your carrier, and a reseller like Gazelle or Swappa — before committing.
Remove the locks. Turn off Find My and sign out of iCloud (or your Google account on Android) or the device may be rejected.

The smarter upgrade: keep your value, pay with crypto

Here's the pivot most people miss. Apple's trade-in gives you store credit worth about 70% of your device's value, and carrier deals chain you to a multi-year plan. If you'd rather not hand over that value, sell or keep your old device on your own terms and buy your next Apple product outright with crypto. At AppleBitcoin you can pay for a genuine, sealed iPhone 17 Pro Max, Mac, iPad or Watch in Bitcoin, Ethereum or stablecoins at a price locked at checkout, with free insured worldwide shipping — no card, no plan lock-in, and no lowball trade-in. New to crypto checkout? The how-to-buy guide walks you through it, and if you're weighing where to buy, see our cheapest country to buy the iPhone 17 guide.

Frequently asked questions

How much will Apple give me for my old iPhone?

As a maximum, about $695 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, $310 for an iPhone 15, $195–$225 for an iPhone 13 or 14, and $100 or less for an iPhone 11 or older. These are "up to" figures and most people get less after inspection.

Is Apple trade-in worth it?

It's the most convenient option but rarely the most money. Apple typically pays around 70% of market value versus about 92% selling privately, so you often leave $90–$300 on the table. It's worth it if you value speed and simplicity over squeezing out every dollar.

Does Apple pay cash for trade-ins?

No. Apple gives credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card — never cash or a bank transfer. Buyback sites and private sales are what pay actual cash.

Can I trade in a cracked or broken iPhone?

Sometimes. A cracked phone may still qualify for a reduced offer, but cracks, chips or a non-working screen drop the value significantly, and severely damaged devices are often recycle-only for $0 credit.

How does Apple trade-in work?

Get an online estimate, choose credit or a gift card, ship it free or go in-store, and Apple inspects it. Find My must be off and the device must arrive within 14 days of receiving your new one.

Is it better to sell or trade in my iPhone?

Selling on eBay, Swappa or Facebook Marketplace almost always nets more — often $80–$320 more on the same phone — but takes effort. Trade-in or a buyback site is faster and safer but pays less.

Do I need the original box?

No. Apple doesn't require the box or accessories for full trade-in value, though keeping the box helps you get a higher price when selling privately.

Does Apple accept Android phones for trade-in?

Some — for example a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra up to about $200 or a Pixel 8 Pro up to about $165 (May 2026), capped around $360. Many older Android phones get $0 and are recycle-only. Sign out of your Google or Samsung account first.