Apple Raises Trade-In Values for iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch — Here's What Changed

Apple has quietly given its US trade-in program a significant refresh, raising the estimated credit customers can earn for most iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch models. The update, which went live on Apple's trade-in page on August 6, 2026, also folds in several Android phones from Samsung, Google, and OnePlus for the first time, expanding the program well beyond Apple's own ecosystem.

The timing isn't accidental. With the iPhone 18 lineup expected to launch within weeks, sweetening trade-in offers is a well-worn Apple tactic to soften the blow of a new purchase and pull hesitant upgraders off the fence.

iPhone Trade-In Values Climb Across the Board

The flagship iPhone 16 Pro Max now tops the iPhone trade-in chart at up to $720, up from its previous estimate of $695. The regular iPhone 16 Pro saw an even bigger jump, rising to $630 from $560 — one of the largest percentage increases in the entire lineup.

Older models weren't left out either. The iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14 Pro Max, and iPhone 13 Pro all received meaningful bumps, and even the seven-year-old iPhone 8 inched up by $5, to $40. Not every model moved, though: the budget iPhone 16e, iPhone SE (2nd generation), and iPhone X are among the handful of devices Apple left unchanged in this round.

Mac Trade-In Values See the Biggest Percentage Gains

Mac owners have the most to gain from this update. The Mac mini's trade-in value surged roughly 28%, from $375 to $480, while the MacBook Pro jumped from $690 to $855. The standout, however, is the Mac Studio, which climbed from $1,045 to $1,305 — a $260 increase that's the largest dollar gain of any device in the program. The Mac Pro, Apple's priciest desktop, now tops out at $2,195, up from $2,045.

iPad and Apple Watch Also Get a Boost

Every current iPad model saw its trade-in estimate rise. The iPad Pro leads the pack at up to $720, followed by the iPad Air at $490, the iPad mini at $300, and the entry-level iPad at $260 — each of them higher than before.

Apple Watch increases were more modest but still widespread. The Watch Series 10 rose to $165, the Series 9 to $135, and the Series 8 to $95. The Watch Ultra 2 and Watch Ultra, however, held steady at $305 and $205 respectively, alongside a few older SE and Series models that saw no change.

Android Phones Join the Program — With Mixed Results

Perhaps the most notable shift is that Apple's US trade-in program now formally lists several Android devices, including the Samsung Galaxy S21 and S22 series, Google's Pixel 7, 8, and 9 families, and the OnePlus 12 and 13 series. The Google Pixel 9 Pro XL leads Android values at up to $315.

Not every Android estimate went up, though. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra actually dropped $5 to $125, a reminder that Apple's trade-in schedule is repriced regularly and can move in either direction depending on demand and market conditions for used devices.

The Fine Print: These Are Estimates, Not Guarantees

Apple is careful to frame these numbers as "up to" values rather than fixed payouts. The actual credit a customer receives depends on the condition, model year, and configuration of the device being traded in, and not every device qualifies for credit at all. It's also worth remembering that Apple's trade-in credit is typically applied toward a new purchase rather than paid out as cash, and third-party buyback services sometimes offer better cash payouts for older devices — so it can pay to compare before trading in.

Why This Matters Right Now

For anyone sitting on an aging iPhone, iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch, this update makes upgrading meaningfully cheaper — right as Apple gears up for its next iPhone launch. Combined with Apple's recently launched device-leasing Upgrade program, it's clear the company is leaning harder into trade-ins as a way to keep customers inside its ecosystem rather than losing them to resale marketplaces or competitors.

If you've been holding off on upgrading, now is a good time to check your device's updated value on Apple's trade-in page before deciding whether to trade in, sell privately, or wait for the next round of price revisions.

Source: Apple Trade In | Reporting via GSMArena and 9to5Mac