The Pros and Cons of the Apple Trade In Program

Are you looking for a new iPhone or a new iPad, and you’re wondering what to do with your old Apple device? Look further no more, because we have the perfect solution for you: the Apple Trade-in Program! With this service, you can easily exchange your old device for a new one, and here’s how it works.

How does the Apple Trade In program work?

With this program, you can bring your Apple device to an Apple Store and from there, depending on its condition and the model, you will get a price quote for your device. That being said, this is not real cash money that you can spend anywhere, but instead, Apple Store Credits that you can spend in any Apple Store in your country. Now, here’s a list of the different devices you can bring to the store if you want to use the Apple Trade In Program:

• iPhone
• iMac
• iPad
• MacBook
• iWatch

Moreover, if you don’t want store credits but would like to lower your monthly fees with your phone carrier, know that this is absolutely possible. However, your carrier needs to be partnered with Apple in your country in order to use that Apple Trade In feature.

Is it possible to get real money with the Apple Trade-in Program?

No, you can’t get real cash if you bring your old Apple device in any Apple Store. However, you can get store credits that you can use in any store located in your country, or, you can use these store credits online as well. That’s right, just go on the official online Apple Store and you will be able to use your Apple Store Credits over there without any problem.

Do Apple Store Credits go to your Apple ID balance?

Yes, you can either choose to have a boost of Apple Store Credits on your Apple Balance ID or you can get a gift card that you can use at a later date. Although you can get a gift card for trading in your old Apple device, you can’t use your Apple ID Balance online for sending a virtual Apple Gift Card of any sort.

Moreover, if you happen to have a Family Sharing account, other members of your family can’t use the ID Balance of your Family Apple Account.

What can I buy with the store credits on my Apple ID Balance?

Let’s say you go to an Apple Store near your home to trade in an old iPhone of yours, and you decide to get the store credits on your Apple ID Balance. Now, you are wondering what you can buy with the store credits that are on your ID balance, so here’s a rundown of what you can purchase:

• App Store
• Apple Music
• Apple TV
• Apple Books
• Subscriptions
• iCloud Storage
• Apple Online Store

How much can I get for my iPhone in the Trade In Program?

The price will greatly depend on the condition of your screen, and of the buttons, and also from the edges. Additionally, Apple don’t give any store credits for an iPhone 5 and under, so you should keep that in mind before you go to a store in the hope of getting a good deal. Nevertheless, here are the official prices of the Apple Trade In Program in 2021:

• iPhone SE (1st generation): Up to $30
• iPhone SE (2nd generation): Up to $210
• iPhone 6: Up to $30
• iPhone 6 Plus: Up to $50
• iPhone 6s: Up to $60
• iPhone 6s Plus: Up to $80
• iPhone 7: Up to $100
• iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $140
• iPhone 8: Up to $140
• iPhone 8 Plus: Up to $210
• iPhone X: Up to $250
• iPhone XR: Up to $250
• iPhone XS: Up to $300
• iPhone XS Max: Up to $370
• iPhone 11: Up to $350
• iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $450
• iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $500
• iPhone 12 Pro Max Up to $700
• iPhone 12 Pro Up to $600
• iPhone 1Up to $450
• iPhone 12 mini Up to $350

And what about an iMac, an iPad, or an Apple Watch? Can you trade in those as well with the Apple Trade In Program, you may wonder? Yes you can, and here are the official prices for those:

• iPad mini: Up to $175
• iPad Air: Up to $210
• iPad: Up to $200
• iPad Pro: Up to $500

• Mac mini: Up to $980
• Mac Pro: Up to $1,490
• iMac: Up to $1,390
• iMac Pro: Up to $3,580

• MacBook: Up to $450
• MacBook Air: Up to $670
• MacBook Pro: Up to $1,760

• Apple Watch Series 1: Up to $30
• Apple Watch Series 2: Up to $60
• Apple Watch Series 3: Up to $85
• Apple Watch Series 4: Up to $145
• Apple Watch Series 5: Up to $190

Can I trade in an android device with the Apple Store?

Most Android phones or tablets are not accepted for store credit in the Apple Store Trade In Program, but, there are actually a few models that are eligible for store credits, and here is the complete list for those:

• Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G Up to $435
• Samsung Galaxy S21 5G Up to $325
• Samsung Galaxy S20+ Up to $275
• Samsung Galaxy S20 Up to $205
• Samsung Galaxy S10+ Up to $185
• Samsung Galaxy S10 Up to $160
• Samsung Galaxy S10e Up to $130
• Samsung Galaxy S9+ Up to $95
• Samsung Galaxy S9 Up to $75
• Samsung Galaxy S8+ Up to $60
• Samsung Galaxy S8 Up to $50
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Up to $545
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Up to $385
• Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Up to $235
• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Up to $130
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8 Up to $65

• Google Pixel 5 Up to $315
• Google Pixel 4 XL Up to $180
• Google Pixel 4 Up to $150
• Google Pixel 4a Up to $160
• Google Pixel 3 XL Up to $70
• Google Pixel 3 Up to $55
• Google Pixel 3a XL Up to $55
• Google Pixel 3a Up to $50

In Conclusion

Of course, all of these prices are pretty much at max value, so if your device is even just slightly damaged, don’t expect to get the exact same value. Also, if your Apple or Android device is not eligible for the Trade In Program, you can still bring it in and Apple will recycle the parts, which is better than throwing your old device in the garbage.