If you’ve been sitting on an older Apple device, now might be a good time to put it toward something new. The iPhone giant has quietly updated its U.S. trade-in estimates, boosting values across most of its current iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch lineup.
Apple boosts trade-in values
Apple varies its trade-in values for devices from time to time. This week, they shift upward pretty much across the board, but with mixed results for Macs and a downward trend for Android devices. First up, let’s look at Apple’s boosted trade-in values for its market-leading iPhones.
Every iPhone 16 model received a bump in estimated trade-in value. The flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max now fetches up to $695, up from $685, while the standard iPhone 16 saw the largest proportional gain, jumping from $435 to $460. The iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 16 Plus also moved up by $10 each, to $560 and $465 respectively.
With iPhone 18 expected later this year, trading in now while values are relatively strong could be a smart move. Trade-in estimates typically soften once new models are announced.
iPad and Apple Watch also benefit
AI image: ChatGPT/Cult of Mac
The good news extends to iPad owners, as well. Apple’s iPad trade-in values have gone up across the board, with the iPad Pro’s top-tier offer increasing from $670 to $690. The iPad Air now earns up to $460 (up from $445), the iPad mini rises to $265 (from $250), and the standard iPad climbs to $235 from $220.
Apple Watch estimates are more of a mixed picture. Ultra 2 rises from $295 to $305. Series 9 improves from $120 to $130. But Apple Watch Ultra — an older model — actually dips from $215 to $205. Series 10 holds steady at $150.
Mac changes are a mixed bag
Photo: D. Griffin Jones/Cult of Mac
Most Mac models see modest gains. The MacBook Air rises from $485 to $520. The Mac mini climbs from $340 to $375. And the Mac Studio sees a notable jump from $975 to $1,045. The iMac is unchanged at $355.
On the higher end, the top-end Mac Pro model has dropped from $2,090 to $2,045.
Android trade-in values trimmed
If you’re looking to switch from Android to Apple, the picture is slightly less rosy than before. Android trade-in offers have largely been cut, with the headline range narrowing from $30–$370 down to $30–$360.
The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra drops from $230 to $200, and the Google Pixel 8 Pro slips from $170 to $165.
How Apple trade-in works
It’s worth keeping in mind that the figures Apple publishes are estimates. All Apple-listed values are estimates, with final offers determined after the device is received and inspected. Customers can apply trade-in credit toward a new purchase or receive the value as an Apple Gift Card. And Apple will recycle ineligible devices for free.
To get a personalized estimate and start the process, head to apple.com/shop/trade-in. Apple regularly adjusts these figures based on market conditions. The values you see today may not be the same ones available next week.
David Snow, an expert on Apple hardware and software, writes on a variety of technological and cultural topics for Cult of Mac. They include Apple news, technology buying guides, and features about computer setups and Apple TV shows and movies.
With 30 years of experience covering technology and other subjects, he has written and edited for numerous print and online publications, including CMP Media, TechTV.com, CNET, Wired News, Red Herring magazine, Law.com, The National Law Journal and Law Technology News magazine. Among other roles, he served as executive editor of the Law.com network of websites and editorial director, technology, for ALM Media.
Snow graduated with a B.A. from Syracuse University with majors in magazine journalism and psychology. While there, he worked as a reporter for The Daily Orange newspaper and associate editor of Equal Time magazine.
Founder of the blog At the Waterline, he can be reached on X (formerly Twitter) via @atthewaterline and on Mastodon via @dsnow.
