How To Trade In Your Old iPhone And Buy A New One At A Discounted Price

How to trade in your iPhone to Apple

How to trade in your iPhone to Apple.

Apple just announced the 2020 iPhone SE and markets it as the most affordable iPhone available for sale. That’s true, the entry-level Apple smartphone retails from $399, but can be purchased for an even lower price tag if you choose to trade in an older iPhone model. In this article we will take a look at how the Apple Trade In system works and whether it’s worth it or not to opt for a trade in, or better attempt to sell your old device as second-hand and use the money to self-discount the price of a new iPhone.

Apple’s Trade In option is available for all purchases of iPhones sold by the Cupertino-based tech giant. It’s not exclusive to the iPhone SE. You can still upgrade to the iPhone 11 lineup or wait a couple of more months until the iPhone 12 flagships are out. However, before selling or handing over your old iPhone you have to back it up and factory reset it to save and protect your data. Read on and learn what you have to do!

How To Backup iPhone
When you opt to trade in your iPhone you have to make sure that you have all the data backed up, just to be sure! Yes, you will be able to perform a quick and easy direct data transfer between the two devices, when the new iPhone arrives, but you should have a plan B.
Backing up your iPhone can be done automatically to your iCloud account (if you have enough iCloud storage space).
However, I also recommend you to perform a manual backup via iTunes and have it on your computer. You can find more info here, about how to perform a full iPhone backup using iTunes!

How To Factory Reset iPhone
After you saved your data, it’s time to erase it from the device that you’re about to trade in, sell or giveaway. Here is what you have to do:
1. Open Settings.
2. Tap on General -> Reset.
3. Select the Erase All Content and Settings option.
4. Confirm your option by providing the device’s Passcode and Apple ID password if requested. More details can be found here.

How To Trade In Old iPhone
1. Know how much you will get for it!
First you have to check if your old Apple smartphone qualifies for a trade-in. Next, you will find out how much Apple will offer for it. Here are the maximum amounts that you can get at the moment for an used iOS device:
iPhone 6s ($80), iPhone 6s Plus ($100) iPhone 7 ($120), iPhone 7 Plus ($150), iPhone 8 ($170), iPhone 8 Plus ($250). The list goes on with the iPhone X ($320), iPhone XR ($300), iPhone XS ($420) and iPhone XS Max ($500) but I doubt that you want to trade in any of those edge-to-edge display iPhones for a new one with a Home Button!
Fact: The maximum trade in quotes are obtained for device that are functional, normal wear signs and of course, a screen that’s not cracked. You can go through Apple’s questionnaire and see how much your old iPhone is worth, by tapping here.
2. Prepare For Trade In
If you select the trade in option when buying a new iPhone, Apple will ship you a trade-in kit along the new device. You’ll also receive an email with instructions and get all the required info.
3. Ship Old iPhone Within 2 Weeks
You have two weeks to ship the trade in iPhone after receiving the kit. Apple staff will inspect your device to match your description. If everything is OK your trade-in is complete!
Important: If you opt for monthly payments for your new iPhone the trade in value is applied instantly and will lower your monthly payments. If you opt to pay in full for the new iPHone, you will pay the entire amount and you’ll get the trade in credit back after you send your old device!

Trade-In Or Sell Your Old iPhone?
From our experience, if your device is in a good condition you will get better quotes on third-party buy and sell websites like eBay, OLX and similar. However, if you want to keep things simple and quick you can opt for Apple’s trade in program.

What’s your take? How do you dispose your old iPhone? Do you trade it in with Apple, sell it or offer it as a giveaway? Let us know in the comment section available below.

Related: Did you know that starting with iOS 12.4 owners are able to wirelessly migrate data from an old iPhone to a new one!