With new iPhones released each year, it's not surprising that many people are tempted to upgrade models, even when their current devices can still be used.

While it's not the most environmentally friendly option, many iPhone users justify early upgrades by trading in their older iPhones. Due to the high demand for iPhones, both Apple and third-party companies are willing to pay a pretty penny for a used iPhone, even for old models. But you won't always get the same price.

If you're planning to trade in your old iPhone soon, here are some factors that can affect its price.

1. Demand for Older iPhone Models

As with many things, the price of an iPhone's trade-in value has a lot to do with the number of people looking to get a hold of an older iPhone model. Because of this, its price may fluctuate as newer models are announced.

woman using iPhone while seated at table

In recent times, Apple has introduced the iPhone SE, which fills much of the demand for people who want an iPhone at a lower price point. However, there are other reasons why users might want older, possibly used iPhones, aside from price.

Occasionally, critical changes in the latest iPhone models lead to unhappy customers. For example, not everyone was happy when iPhones moved from Touch ID to Face ID, especially when it didn't work properly with face masks.

For this reason, the demand for second-hand or refurbished iPhone 8 models went up. These kinds of fluctuations in price happen all the time depending on current events.

2. Your iPhone Age and Model

For many companies that accept iPhones for trade-in, the primary contributor to value is your device's age and model. As new iPhones are released every year, older iPhone models become less valuable.

In many ways, this is tied to a device's longevity after purchase. Due to Apple's practice of making older devices obsolete, an older iPhones may be unable to use the latest version of iOS (even if the hardware is still working otherwise).

iPhone 12, 12 max and 12 mini in a line, all showing the home screens

In fact, in Apple's environmental reports, it makes the assumption that an iPhone will only be used for four years.

While it is still possible to use iPhones running older versions of iOS, many apps will cease to work after some time. Therefore, your device is unlikely to go for very much when traded in if you can't run the latest software anymore.

3. The Authenticity of Your iPhone Parts

When an iPhone is out of warranty, many iPhone users know that getting your iPhone repaired at Apple is significantly more expensive than third-party repair centers.

Inside an iPhone

However, there are many reasons why you should opt for official Apple repair centers to avoid non-genuine parts being used instead. This is also a good way to retain your iPhone's trade-in value.

If Apple learns that a non-genuine part has been used in your iPhone, it won't accept that device for trade-in. And other retailers may reduce the price they'll take it for.

By only using official Apple repair centers, you can be assured that technicians will not use fake parts. In addition, you are guaranteed a warranty for the repair, in case it is not repaired up to standard.

4. Your iPhone's Cosmetic Condition

There are many reasons why people choose iPhones, but how it looks is a big part of it. For this reason, the general appearance or the cosmetic condition of an iPhone can affect its over-all trade-in value.

As iPhones are used every day, normal wear and tear is expected. For example, if you don't use a case with your iPhone, it's likely to pick up scratches and dents.

While these issues will reduce your device's trade-in value, their effect is minimal in comparison to the hefty damage we'll get onto in the next point.

5. Usability Issues From Serious Damage

Unless your device has been tampered with by third-party repair centers, Apple still accepts broken or damaged iPhones for trade-in. Presumably, this is because Apple can still repair it.

However, it's no surprise that certain types of damage may influence an iPhone's trade-in price more than others.

Broken iPhone Screen

Damage that is critical to an iPhone's use, like a broken screen or poor battery health, may significantly impact how much you can get in return for it.

In addition, if the damage is too extreme, it's likely that an iPhone can no longer be repaired. In this scenario, you are likely to get very little in return, as its only use will be in using its parts for another device or to be recycled.

6. Internal Storage Size

Although the Apple website often shows the estimated trade-in price of a particular iPhone model regardless of its storage size, there are some accounts of storage size impacting the final trade-in price.

According to Buyback Boss, storage can influence your trade-in price, to the point where higher storage models might be worth up to 10% more.

Related: Built-in iPhone Storage vs. iCloud Storage: What Is More Environmentally Friendly?

However, while this may be true for third-party trade-in centers, this is not guaranteed when it comes to trading in your iPhone with Apple directly.

An iPhone's storage capacity may affect how much your iPhone is worth for trade-in depending on what country you are in, whether you trade it in online or in-store, and who is doing the device evaluation.

How to Retain Your iPhone's Trade-In Value

Person holding up an iPhone

If you're planning to trade in your iPhone sometime in the future, there are a few steps that you should definitely take to make sure you get as much as you can for it.

First, make sure that you prevent any cosmetic damages by investing a proper iPhone case and a screen protector. While it can be tempting to simply use a stylish case, it is best to get a functional one, which can protect your phone from drops that might damage the screen and dent the metal.

Related: Hard vs. Soft Phone Cases: Which Protects Your Phone Better?

Second, if you are using an iPhone model with buttons, consider making use of AssistiveTouch to avoid damaging the Touch ID from overuse. For iPhone models which use Touch ID, it is one of the most common parts of an iPhone to break due to normal wear and tear.

Third, maintain a healthy battery by not overcharging or overusing your device. Like all batteries, iPhone batteries degrade naturally with time, but you can help reduce aging by taking advantage of the optimized charging feature that stops charging your device at 80% until you're ready to use.

Alternatives to Trading In Your iPhone

At the end of the day, the company doing the evaluation of your iPhone determines what they're willing to pay for it.

While many people will jump to Apple for their trade-in needs, there is some benefit to trading your device with third-party providers instead. Many users report getting better rates.

Alternatively, you may want to consider selling your old iPhone. If your iPhone is still working and in good condition, you are likely to get more money from selling it second-hand instead.