As we’re getting closer to the time of year when Tim Cook takes to the stage to announce the latest lineup of iPhones, here at Compare and Recycle we’re seeing iPhone trade-in prices going up, while Apple has quietly devalued previous iPhone generations.
Apple Trade-In programme allows you to cash in on your older iPhone and get a credit towards your new purchase. However, Apple has made cuts to the trade-in value of their iPhones for a second time this year with more recent models experiencing harsher drops in the maximum value upgraders could get for their older iPhone in good working condition.
| iPhone Model | Apple Trade-In Value in January | Current Apple Trade-In Value | Value Change | Current Compare and Recycle Trade-In Value | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone XS Max | up to £470 | up to £350 | -£120 | up to £488 | +£138 |
| iPhone XS | up to £390 | up to £320 | -£70 | up to £455 | +£135 |
| iPhone XR | up to £290 | up to £280 | -£10 | up to £391 | +£111 |
| iPhone X | up to £310 | up to £245 | -£65 | up to £365 | +£120 |
| iPhone 8 Plus | up to £250 | up to £185 | -£65 | up to £290 | +£105 |
| iPhone 8 | up to £180 | up to £165 | -£15 | up to £235 | +£70 |
| iPhone 7 Plus | up to £180 | up to £135 | -£45 | up to £214 | +£79 |
| iPhone 7 | up to £100 | up to £105 | +£5 | up to £149 | +£44 |
| iPhone 6s Plus | up to £90 | up to £85 | -£15 | up to £118 | +£33 |
| iPhone 6s | up to £60 | up to £55 | -£5 | up to £78 | +£23 |
| iPhone 6 Plus | N/A | up to £60 | N/A | up to £75 | +£15 |
| iPhone 6 | N/A | up to £50 | N/A | up to £52 | +£2 |
| iPhone SE (2016) | N/A | up to £50 | N/A | up to £45 | -£5 |
Note: Prices correct on 11/08/2020
Apple has significantly devalued the iPhone XS Max by £120 since January and currently Apple is offering up to £135 less than the top deal found on Compare and Recycle. The iPhone XS, X and 8 Plus have experienced a similar drop between £65 - £70 since January from Apple and by trading in the aforementioned models through Compare and Recycle you can secure over £100 more.
The iPhone XR is the only model among the recent iPhones that Apple didn’t cut the price for dramatically. It is currently only £10 down compared to £290 back in January. Merchants on Compare and Recycle are outpricing Apple’s offering by up to £111 at the moment.
For a four year old model, the iPhone 7 is doing incredibly well in terms of value and Apple has upped the trade-in price for it by £5 compared to January. The iPhone 7 remains the most traded-in device on Compare and Recycle and you can cash it in for up to £149 which is £44 more than through the Apple Trade-In programme. The iPhone 7 Plus isn’t that lucky as its value dropped by almost £50 in six months. On Compare and Recycle however, a fully working iPhone 7 Plus that has been well cared for can bag you just over £200 now.
Looking at older iPhone models before 2016, Apple’s offering is in line with what merchants on Compare and Recycle are happy to pay you for your iPhone 6/6Plus or SE. The iPhone 6s and 6s Plus models will earn you up to £30 more if traded in to one of our merchants.
Cover image: Apple
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