Apple just reshuffled its trade-in values, and most iPhone owners didn’t come out ahead. Trade-in estimates for older iPhones dropped this week, even as values for iPads and Macs increased.
The update comes days after Apple announced the iPhone 18 Pro series but before the expected launch of new Macs and iPads later this year.
Apple trade-in values drop for older iPhones, but there’s some good news
The Apple Trade In program offers a simple way to offset the cost of a new device by handing in an eligible iPhone, iPad, Mac or Apple Watch. Trading in an older device can make upgrading considerably cheaper. However, how much each device is actually worth frequently changes … for good or ill.
First, the good news. The iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, which Apple just added to its trade-in list, actually come in higher than last year’s models. The iPhone 17 Pro Max leads the chart at $885, with the iPhone 17 Pro close behind at $785. That’s much higher than the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max’s trade-in prices from this time last year (up to $700 and $580).
The iPhone Air didn’t fare as well. Its Apple Trade In value sits at $585 — exactly the same figure as the standard iPhone 17 — despite launching at $200 higher.
And, perhaps unsurprisingly, every other iPhone in Apple’s lineup lost in this most recent update.
The iPhone 16 Pro Max lost the most. It dropped from $720 to land at just $610, just weeks after Apple raised its trade-in value. The iPhone 16 Pro‘s trade-in value fell from $630 to $510
Nearly all iPhones going back to the iPhone 8 Plus saw a similar trim, with most trade-in values declining between $10 and $50.
Mac and iPad trade-in values climb
While iPhone trade-in values dropped, the Mac and iPad lineups moved the other way. Every model in both categories gained value.
Macs saw some huge gains. The MacBook Pro is now valued at up to $1,315, which is way up from the previous $855.
The Mac mini is also up by 65% in that same stretch. The Mac Studio, iMac and iMac Pro all got a hike as well. The Mac Pro was the only Mac left untouched, holding steady at $2,195.
The iPad Pro saw the biggest jump among tablets, with the 13-inch version now topping out at $905. The iPad Air, iPad mini and standard iPad rose by smaller amounts.
Apple Watch trade-ins barely move
The Apple Watch followed the iPhone’s pattern more than the Mac’s, with most models losing some value.
The Apple Watch Ultra 3 joined the list at $430 — the highest of any watch that Apple accepts. The Series 11 sits at $200, while the third-generation SE comes in at $115. Some older SE models held steady.
Apple notes that every listed figure is only an estimate, with final offers depending on the device’s condition, configuration and eligibility. The company recently upgraded its trade-in program to account for various degrees of damage and wear.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
