Apple slashes trade-in prices on a bunch of Android phones

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Apple cuts Android trade-in prices
Some Mac and iPad models have also seen reductions.
Photo: Onur Binay/Unsplash

We have disappointing news for anyone currently thinking about swapping their Android smartphone for an iPhone. Apple just cut its trade-in prices for a bunch of popular handsets from Google and Samsung.

The reductions are pretty significant in most cases. A Galaxy S21+ 5G, previously worth up to $435 according to Apple, now fetches $325 max. The Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, previously valued at up to $545, will now get you only $405 at most.

Apple cut the trade-in values of some Mac and iPad models, too. Luckily, you have other options for recovering more cash from your old gear.

Apple won’t pay as much for Android phones

Cupertino buys up third-party devices in an effort to encourage Android users to switch to iPhone. Although you can always make more by selling your old gadgets elsewhere, Apple’s trade-in prices were pretty decent.

But they just took a pretty major hit. Many of the most popular Android phones are now worth significantly less than they were — in Apple’s eyes, at least. Here are the maximum payouts you can now expect for those that have changed:

Google

  • Pixel 5 — $235 (down from $315)
  • Pixel 4 XL — $135 (down from $180)
  • Pixel 4a — $120 (down from $160)
  • Pixel 4 — $110 (down from $150)
  • Pixel 3 XL — $50 (down from $70)
  • Pixel 3a XL — $50 (down from $55)
  • Pixel 3 — $45 (down from $55)

Samsung

  • Galaxy Note 20 Ultra — $405 (down from $545)
  • Galaxy S21+ 5G — $325 (down from $435)
  • Galaxy Note 20 — $285 (down from $385)
  • Galaxy S21 5G — $260 (down from $325)
  • Galaxy S20+ — $205 (down from $275)
  • Galaxy Note 10 — $175 (down from $235)
  • Galaxy S10+ — $170 (down from $185)
  • Galaxy S20 — $150 (down from $205)
  • Galaxy S10 — $150 (down from $160)
  • Galaxy S10e — $120 (down from $130)
  • Galaxy Note 9 — $120 (down from $130)
  • Galaxy S9+ — $80 (down from $95)
  • Galaxy S9 — $65 (down from $75)
  • Galaxy Note 8 — $45 (down from $65)

Mac and iPad prices down, too

Apple has also reduced its trade-in valuations for a number of Mac and iPad models. Here are the maximums you can expect from those that have changed:

  • iPad Air — $335 (down from $345)
  • iPad — $200 (down from $205)
  • MacBook — $325 (down from $340)
  • MacBook Air — $530 (down from $550)
  • MacBook Pro — $1,415 (down from $1,630)
  • Mac mini — $740 (down from $800)
  • iMac — $1,260 (down from $1,320)

To get an updated valuation for your old device, visit the trade-in page of Apple’s website and enter its details. Before you proceed, however, you might want to shop around for the best price. Some services will offer more.

Get more when you trade in your old devices

Cult of Mac operates its own buyback program, and we typically pay more than Apple — and other services — for most devices, including iPhone. We also cough up real cash you can spend anywhere, rather than store credit.

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