Instead of taking a page from Google's playbook to try to boost the sales numbers of its latest high-end smartphones with increased trade-in estimates for older in-house (or competition-made) devices, Apple has inexplicably adopted the opposite "strategy" ahead of the always important holiday season. Show
While the Cupertino-based tech giant undoubtedly wants the iPhone 14 series to headline as many Christmas shopping lists as possible, its efforts to take the likes of the iPhone 13, iPhone 12, iPhone 11 Pro, XS Max, and even 8 Plus off your hands in the process can only be described as... minimal. 'Tis the season... to be thriftyAs noticed by an eagle-eyed Twitter user and first reported by 9To5Mac, the official US Apple Store trade-in values for exactly a dozen different iPhone models have been revised down just when many of you probably intended to start your traditional pre-Black Friday bargain hunting.
$480 for a 12 Pro Max (pictured here) is... not a great deal. For what it's worth, there are a few notable exceptions of devices with seemingly unchanged trade-in values and even two examples of handsets Apple is considering (slightly) more valuable than before. But on the whole, these changes really don't look good at all, particularly so close to the season of giving:
Terms, conditions, and alternatives to considerFor folks unfamiliar with the general rules of Apple's official trade-in program, the numbers above represent how much you can get as credit toward a new purchase (any purchase) or in the form of a gift card to be used anytime in the future if you're looking to rid yourself of one of the devices listed above in "good" condition. Those already unimpressive figures will obviously take a big hit if the phone you want to trade in is not in good condition, meaning that it refuses to turn on (in which case you get nothing), its body is in "bad" shape (in which case you also get nothing), or the touchscreen and cameras are "not in good shape" (in which case you will get a little money to reduce the price of an iPhone 14 or something else).
It almost seems like Apple doesn't want you to switch from a Galaxy S22 Ultra to an iPhone 14 Pro Max. What's interesting (read frustrating) is that the above "maximum" trade-in values seem a little misleading themselves when you actually start the trade-in process. For instance, an iPhone 13 Pro Max in "good condition" appears to only qualify for a $610 gift card at the time of this writing, although for what it's worth, the same ultra-high-end handset can in fact help you slash the full $650 off the list price of an iPhone 14-series device if you go straight to the latter's product webpage. Similar differences can be noticed for all of the other previous-generation iPhones Apple is willing to accept as trade-ins right now, while the values of select Android smartphones made by Samsung and Google remain... downright laughable. "Up to" $320 for a Galaxy S22 Ultra and "up to" $95 for a Pixel 6 Pro all but guarantees not a single soul will jump ship, at least using this method. Speaking of different methods to buy the iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro, 14 Pro Max, or iPhone SE 3, we would definitely recommend looking at what other retailers and carriers have to offer in terms of trade-in discounts before pulling the trigger. Maybe also wait two or three more weeks for a final buying decision. With the announcement of the brand new iPhone 14 – coming on September 16, with the Plus version arriving in October – consumers considering upgrading might want to opt for a trade in. Apple stores around the country offer trade ins for iPhone users hoping to get a little value for their old device. The new iPhones, announced at an Apple event on September 7, will include four different devices: the iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max. If you're in the market for a new smartphone and are hoping to get your hands on one of the new devices, this is what you need to know about trading in an old phone – from wiping its data, to what condition it needs to be in. Should you upgrade your iPhone now?:What to know after Apple's debut of the iPhone 14. Apple Event 2022:iPhone 14, Apple Watch Ultra, new AirPods Pro unveiled How do I prepare my phone for trade in?Before trading in your phone you should wipe or clear all personal information from the device. For an iPhone follow these steps:
Of note: if these steps appear too complex or you run into trouble, Apple stores are often happy to help you through the process. Apple's response to inflation:To much surprise, Apple did not raise the prices of its newest iPhones What condition does your phone have to be in to trade in?It depends if you are trading in your device at an Apple store or at a local branch of your service carrier e.g. T-Mobile, AT&T, or Verizon Wireless. Phones can also be traded in to places like Best Buy and Amazon. Each of these options might give you a different quote depending on the type of phone you have and the condition it is in. Generally, a device should be in working condition and relatively undamaged in order to be worth something. CNET, a website publishing tech reviews defines "good" condition as an uncracked screen, no large dents or scratches, no water damage, and the ability to turn on, and effectively hold charge. Apple accepts all devices, no matter the condition. Undamaged, you should be able to get some money back, however the company still urges consumers to bring in damaged devices so they can be recycled effectively. iOS 16 release details:These are the six most important updates coming to iPhones this fall What is the Apple trade in value for my phone?Currently, Apple's trade in values are:
First look at the iPhone 14:Details to know about 'Dynamic Island,' always-on displays and more Should I remove the SIM card before trading in my phone?If you are getting a new phone, the SIM card will be transferred to your new device, as it is what gives your phone it's number and provides service. You can remove it yourself, or Apple Store employees can help you remove it and transfer to a new device. Can I trade in an Android device?Non-Apple devices can be turned in at a local branch of your provider and their trade in value will vary depending on the age of the phone and its condition. The Apple Store does accept Android trade ins, but before you bring the device, Apple instructs:
What's everyone talking about?:Sign up for our trending newsletter to get the latest news of the day What is the tradeTurn the device you have into the one you want.. How much is a used iPhone Pro Max Worth?The average resale price for a used iPhone 14 Pro Max is currently at $804.00. It was announced on September 7, 2022, with a starting price of $1,099. The iPhone 14 Pro Max comes with storage sizes at 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB.
Is Apple discontinuing the 12 Pro Max?So all of the above iPhones are officially discontinued. It might seem odd that Apple would discontinue two of its highest-end phones that are just a year old. However, the move mirrors exactly the same cuts Apple made last year with the discontinuation of the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max.
How Much Is iPhone 12 worth right now?iPhone 12 prices start at $329 and cost $489 on average as of November 2022.
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