Apple Lowers Value of Android Smartphones for iPhone Trade-In

Apple today reduced the estimated maximum dollar amounts that customers can receive when trading in several different Android smartphones for an iPhone. Apple also adjusted trade-in values for certain iPad and Mac models.

iPhone trade in
On its website, Apple displays the highest possible amount a customer can get when trading in a specific device for an Apple product, such as an iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch. The listed prices only represent the highest possible value, with the final trade-in value dependent on factors such as the condition of the device.

Today's price reductions for Android smartphones are notable, with some more significant than others (price reflects maximum value and prices in brackets are previous prices).

  • Samsung Galaxy S21 5G - $260 ($325)
  • Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G - $325 ($435)
  • Samsung Galaxy S20+ - $205 ($275)
  • Samsung Galaxy S20 - $150 ($205)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10+ - $170 ($185)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10 - $150 ($160)
  • Samsung Galaxy S10e - $120 ($130)
  • Samsung Galaxy S9+ - $80 ($95)
  • Samsung Galaxy S9 - $65 ($75)
  • Samsung Galaxy S8+ - $60 (no change)
  • Samsung Galaxy S8 - $50 (no change)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra - $405 ($545)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 20 - $285 ($385)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 10 - $175 ($235)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 9 - $120 ($130)
  • Samsung Galaxy Note 8 - $45 ($65)
  • Google Pixel 5 - $235 ($315)
  • Google Pixel 4 XL - $135 ($180)
  • Google Pixel 4 - $110 ($150)
  • Google Pixel 4a - $120 ($160)
  • Google Pixel 3 XL - $50 ($70)
  • Google Pixel 3 - $45 ($55)
  • Google Pixel 3a XL - $50 ($55)
  • Google Pixel 3a - $50 (no change)

The changes to Mac and iPad prices are listed below.

  • Baseline iPad - $200 ($205)
  • iPad Air - $335 ($345)
  • MacBook Pro - $1415 ($1630)
  • MacBook Air - $530 ($550)
  • MacBook (discontuined) - $325 ($340)
  • iMac - $1260 ($1320)
  • Mac mini - $740 ($800)

More information on Apple's trade-in program can be found on its website.

Top Rated Comments

44267547 Avatar
29 months ago

You can get a lot more by selling your used phone yourself!
No thanks. I’m not interested in dealing with scammers on eBay or Swappa. Even locally, I wouldn’t recommend it for other reasons. Some of us like the peace of mind of trading in our devices, we’re not worried about making ‘top dollar’. It’s hassle free trading in, and if that means I take a cut in profit, I’m totally fine with that.
Score: 9 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ian87w Avatar
29 months ago
Not too surprising.
These trade-ins usually goes to the secondary market, and demand for older Android phones are not that great. Plus, particularly with Samsung, the S22 is coming soon, so obviously S21 phones will drop in value.

Even Samsung don't value their own handsets that much. They only give you good deals during promos and/or pre-orders. Outside that, not so much. In my country, independent e-commerce will give better value on Samsung phones than Samsung themselves.

As usual, depending on the user comfort level, one might be able to get better value selling the phone independently.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Danfango Avatar
29 months ago
I don't get why people bother trading in the phones. The offered prices are nearly always lower than they say they will offer and it's a lot of hassle I have found.

I recently got my father's 7th gen iPad traded in for a 9th gen and they said it was bent and they said the home button didn't work and offered me £72 for it, which I declined. Got it back from them and it wasn't bent and the home button works fine! Sold it on ebay for £245!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Shanghaichica Avatar
29 months ago
Apple never used to offer you anything for android phones though. In recent years they have stated to. Back in the day they would tell you they would recycle it for you for free :D
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
TechRunner Avatar
29 months ago
No real news here. A three-year-old iPhone, for example, still has a decent trade-in value, while most three-year-old Android phones don't. As a current Android user, it's a good thing I don't purchase my phones with an eye towards trade-in value!
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Smeaton1724 Avatar
29 months ago

Who uses this trade-in possibility?
You can get a lot more by selling your used phone yourself!

I don't get it that people complain about the high prices Apple charge and then let Apple rip them off by trading in their old devices.
It's not usually the same people who complain about high Apple prices who use that service.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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