Whether you found an old iPhone in your drawers or are ready to upgrade to a newer model, there’s a chance that your old iPhone may still be worth something. Old iPhones hold their value well because they contain parts that can be used for repair, refurbishment, or resales.
While there are several companies out there that may offer you money for it, you should consider trading in an old iPhone with Apple directly.
Although you are likely to get a lower price from Apple than third-party companies, there are numerous benefits to trading in your iPhone with its original manufacturer. Here are some of them.
1. The iPhone Recycling Process
Compared to other alternatives, your old iPhone will have a higher chance of being recycled properly with Apple. As of writing, even Apple’s external recycling partners still cannot process iPhones to the same level of detail and efficiency.
However, while Apple’s recycling robots are game changers, they also have limited capacity for how many devices they can disassemble. So, it’s important to remember that not all products returned to Apple will be recycled.
But, if the iPhone that you are hoping to trade-in will likely not be repairable, your best bet for it to have an eco-friendly end is still in Apple’s hands.
2. A Safe Refurbishing Process for the Next Owner
Should your iPhone still be repairable, Apple is the only manufacturer that will be able to guarantee that your phone will be repaired to the highest standard.
With its brand on the line, Apple can guarantee that the next owner of your iPhone will have a good experience. Only Apple has the capacity to use completely original parts meant for the device and seal it with a manufacturer’s warranty.
If you care about giving your old iPhone a longer life, then trading it in with Apple might be your best shot.
3. You Get Temporary Cloud Storage
After getting a new phone, an important and often painstaking next step is transferring your existing data to your new device. Thankfully, when you buy a new iPhone or iPad from Apple, you can get temporary iCloud storage. With this, you can transfer data from your current device to your new one free of charge.
Available for iPhones with iOS 15 onwards, Apple’s temporary cloud storage is for Apple users who don’t have enough storage in their iCloud accounts to make transfer the necessary data.
4. Get a Reliable Mail-In Trade Option
For those who don’t want the hassle of going to a store to trade in their device, Apple offers a mail-in trade-in option for your benefit. To mail your iPhone for trade-in, all you have to do is attach the label provided to you by Apple to your packaged iPhone. Then, you can drop it off at your nearest FedEx location, or contact them to pick up your device from you.
5. Get Exclusive Carrier Deals
By trading in your iPhone with Apple, you can save up to $800 on the newest iPhone after trade-in. As of writing, Apple has special deals for customers who want to use their trade-in credit to get new iPhones, with plans from activate with AT&T, T-Mobile/Sprint, or Verizon.
To take advantage of carrier deals, all you have to do is to authorize the activation of your new iPhone with an AT&T Unlimited plan, any T-Mobile/Sprint phone plan, or an eligible Verizon Unlimited plan. After processing the trade-in, this option will appear at check-out.
6. You Can Store Credit for Later
With companies like Apple, people expect new models of their devices to come out regularly. For this reason, you may be caught out between releases and prefer to wait until the next model is released before upgrading.
If you’re ready to say goodbye to an iPhone, but don’t necessarily need a new phone right away, Apple lets you store credit for your device in its stores.
By storing credit from trading in your iPhone, you can opt to use it only when you’re ready to get a new device. In addition, you can also use Apple Store credits to buy other devices as well, such as AirPods, iPads, or even a MacBook.
7. Better Data Privacy and Security
While there are many third-party trade-in companies, not all of them can sufficiently guarantee your data’s safety and security throughout the process. With this, if you did not properly wipe your phone and prepare it for trade-in, you risk falling victim to identity theft, putting your contacts on the radar for phishing scams, and so on.
Because of Apple’s strict handling of matters related to customer privacy, you can rest assured that its trained Apple certified technicians will not access your personal information without your permission.
8. Guaranteed Authenticity
While some stores can give you more money for your iPhone in exchange for other phones, not all of them can guarantee authenticity for your new device.
For example, your replacement phone may look new, but it may have been refurbished by a third-party repair center. This means it may no longer have original parts in it. While this doesn’t sound like a big deal at first, it can put you, your data, and your safety at risk.
In some cases, mobile phones bought from disreputable third-party sellers have been tampered with and contain parts that are unfit for the device. After all, not everyone can tell the difference between original and aftermarket iPhone parts.
9. Personal Store Assistance
No one knows iPhones better than the staff at the Apple Store. If you’re not up to date on the latest iPhone models and their specs, Apple’s staff can help you choose which iPhone is right for you.
With this, you can be sure that after you trade in your old iPhone, you’ll be getting a new one that is just right for your needs.
Trade In Your iPhone With Apple
While it’s best to keep your iPhone with you for as long as possible, an upgrade can sometimes be unavoidable. However, this doesn’t mean that you can’t trade in your device with your values in mind.
Whether it’s with the hope that it will be recycled as well as possible or to make sure that your data remains safe throughout the whole process, there are plenty of advantages to choosing Apple for trade-in.
Additionally, third-party companies may give you more money for your device, but they don’t give you access to exclusive carrier deals, guaranteed authenticity, and more.