The trade-in values for Apple devices in the US have been altered across the board with the most significant changes coming to iPhones in the form of value reductions, some as high as $80.
While several Mac and Apple Watch models are now seeing higher trade-in values, iPhone models from iPhone 7 Plus to iPhone 13 Pro Max are seeing cuts.
Apple allows customers to return used devices to licensed retailers for cash or the option to turn that cash back into a payment to buy another product.
The changes were first spotted by MacRumors and are as follows:
- “iPhone 13 Pro Max: Up to $570 (previously at $650)
- iPhone 13 Pro: Up to $470 (previously at $550)
- iPhone 13: Up to $400 (previously at $450)
- iPhone 13 mini: Up to $350 (previously at $380)
- iPhone 12 Pro Max: Up to $400 (previously at $480)
- iPhone 12 Pro: Up to $330 (previously at $400)
- iPhone 11 Pro Max: Up to $280 (previously at $330)
- iPhone 11 Pro: Up to $230 (previously at $250)
- iPhone 7 Plus: Up to $50 (previously at $60).”
Models such as the iPhone 7 or iPhone 12 were not included in this list since they did not experience any trade-in value changes. The most significant decreases came to iPhone 13 and iPhone 12 models, especially the Pro Max versions with an $80 reduction each.
While the local iStore website doesn’t have a comprehensive list of trade-in values for devices like its US counterpart, it does have a page where trade-in prices can be estimated according to a series of variables.
When estimating trade-in values, the iStore asks questions like:
- “Does the device power on and stay on without a charger?
- Does the device connect to a cellular network and make calls?
- Is the battery health greater than 80%?
- Is a working power cable connected?
- Is the LCD working normally and free from cracks, dead pixels and discolouration?”
Each variable, ticked or unticked, has a chance to increase or decrease the price of a trade-in. Another variable that changes the estimated trade-in price is the storage configuration. iPhones at 1TB of storage will have much higher trade-in value than those at only 256GB.
We used the value calculator to compare SA trade-in prices with US prices of the latest iPhone models, indicating that the only thing wrong with the devices was screen damage. This is the most common issue facing used iPhones at least in some capacity, according to websites like QuickMobileRepair and others.
From our estimates, a crack in the screen can bring down an iPhone’s trade-in value by almost 100 percent, but it is important to note the following may be different once you actually take your device to your nearest iStore.
Here’s what we found regarding local iPhone trade-in prices of notable models:
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB – R12 318,
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 512GB – R9 318,
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 256GB – R8 318,
- iPhone 13 Pro Max 128GB – R6 318.
- iPhone 13 Pro 1TB – R11 652,
- iPhone 13 Pro 512GB – R9 652,
- iPhone 13 Pro 256GB – R7 152,
- iPhone 13 Pro 128GB – R5 152.
- iPhone 13 512GB – R8 129,
- iPhone 13 256GB – R5 129,
- iPhone 13 128GB – R3 629.
- iPhone 13 mini 512GB – R5 629,
- iPhone 13 mini 256GB – R3 629,
- iPhone 13 mini 128GB – R2 629.
- iPhone 12 Pro Max 512GB – R12 075,
- iPhone 12 Pro Max 256GB – R9 575,
- iPhone 12 Pro Max 128GB – R8 575.
- iPhone 12 Pro 512GB – R10 024,
- iPhone 12 Pro 256GB – R8 524,
- iPhone 12 Pro 128GB – R7 524.
- iPhone 11 Pro Max 512GB – R6 575,
- iPhone 11 Pro Max 256GB – R5 575,
- iPhone 11 Pro Max 64GB – R3 575.
- iPhone 11 Pro 512GB – R6 024,
- iPhone 11 Pro 256GB – R4 524,
- iPhone 11 Pro 64GB – R3 024.
- iPhone 7 Plus 256GB – R139,
- iPhone 7 Plus 128GB – R125,
- iPhone 7 Plus 32GB – R110.
How do the values compare?
Overall it seems that South Africa’s trade in values are higher than those found in the US, expecially for the higher-end iPhones with more storage space, using the current exchange rate. However, the difference becomes less notable when you go down to lower storage devices.
For example, even with screen damage, a 1TB iPhone 13 Pro Max could fetch you a return of R12 318 ($721.06), which is significantly more than the $570 you would get for similar in the US. However, once you go down from 1TB models you start seeing similar prices, as with the 512GB version of the 13 Pro Max.
This device will fetch you a trade-in value of R9 318 ($545.55) locally which is less than the $570 that can be made in the US. They may boil down to US values being averaged across storage configurations and wear and tear variables like screen condition.
What is notable is that iPhone 7 Plus devices are worth much more in the US than in South Africa. In the US an iPhone 7 Plus can see you pocketing $50, while locally you will only get R139 ($8.14) at maximum with screen wear and tear.
However, if you bring in an iPhone 7 Plus with high storage without any wear and tear you can start seeing significantly more money at around R2 800 (R163.9).
What this tells us is that US trade-in values as stated by Apple are averaged extensively and may not be indicative of what you may get for trading in your device in that country. Local prices, on the other hand, are calculated in regard of a series of variables and can be seen as more accurate for what you may get in store at South Africa’s only premium reseller for Apple products.
Our verdict? If you want to trade in your old iPhone make sure its screen isn’t cracked and it’s in mint or near-mint condition. Otherwise, you’re going to get your hopes dashed.
[Image – Bagus Hernawan on Unsplash]
