You have an old iPhone, MacBook, or iPad sitting around and you want to upgrade without paying full retail. Two paths stand out: trade it in through Apple's official program, or skip the new purchase entirely and buy refurbished. Both save money, but they work in very different ways.
Short answer: buying refurbished saves more in almost every case. After Apple's August 2026 increase, Apple Trade In pays up to $480 for an iPhone 16 and up to $855 for a MacBook Pro, but that credit only reduces the price of a new Apple product. A refurbished iPhone 15 starts at $319 on RefurbMe today, against $799 for a new iPhone 17.
According to RefurbMe's own tracking, a new iPhone model reaches the refurbished market a median of 82 days after Apple's release (Time-to-Refurb, as of August 2026, source: /stats/iphone). That number is the real price of the refurbished route: under three months of patience, in exchange for a discount trade-in credit rarely matches.
This guide breaks down how Apple Trade In works, what the current values look like in August 2026, how refurbished pricing compares, and which option fits what you already own.
Table of contents
- What is the Apple Trade In program?
- How does the Apple Trade In program work?
- Current Apple Trade In values (August 2026)
- The alternative: buying refurbished devices
- Side-by-side comparison: Trade In vs refurbished
- Real-world savings examples
- Which option is right for you?
- Where to compare and buy refurbished Apple devices
- FAQ
What is the Apple Trade In program?
Apple Trade In is Apple's official device exchange program. You hand over an eligible old device and receive credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card you can use any time. If your device has no trade-in value, Apple recycles it for free.
The program has two constraints worth knowing upfront. First, the credit is only usable on Apple products, which locks you into buying new from Apple. Second, trade-in estimates are exactly that: estimates. The final offer can change after Apple inspects the device.
For anyone already planning to buy a new iPhone or Mac who has a relatively recent device to trade, the program is fast, friction-free, and officially backed by Apple.
How does the Apple Trade In program work?
The process is straightforward whether you go online or visit a store.
Online trade-in steps
- Visit the Apple Trade In site.
- Select the new device you want to buy.
- Choose your old device and configuration.
- Answer the condition questions honestly. Apple asks about cracked screens, battery health, and whether the device powers on.
- Review the estimate and proceed to checkout. The credit applies immediately at purchase.
- Once your new device arrives, you have 14 days to send back the old one using Apple's prepaid shipping kit.
- Apple inspects the device. If the condition matches, the trade-in is complete. If not, Apple sends a revised offer and you can accept it or have your old device returned.
In-store trade-in steps
Bring your device to any Apple Store. A specialist evaluates it on the spot. In-store valuations can differ from online estimates because a technician physically inspects the device rather than relying on your self-reported condition. You leave the same day with credit applied to your purchase or loaded onto an Apple Gift Card.
Data and privacy
Before trading in, back up your data and sign out of iCloud. Apple erases all devices it receives. For online trades, Apple provides temporary iCloud storage to make the transfer to your new device easier before you send back the old one.
Current Apple Trade In values (August 2026)
Apple last raised its U.S. trade-in estimates on 6 August 2026, lifting most iPhone, iPad, Mac and Apple Watch models. Some jumped close to 30 percent: the Mac mini went from $375 to $480 and the MacBook Pro from $690 to $855.
Here are the maximum estimates for top-of-line configurations in good condition; see the full current Apple Trade In values by model for every device Apple covers, not just the flagship configurations below.
iPhone trade-in values
| Model | Max trade-in value |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | $720 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | $630 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | $485 |
| iPhone 16 | $480 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | $530 |
| iPhone 15 | $335 |
| iPhone 14 | $235 |
| iPhone 13 | $205 |
Older models receive progressively lower estimates. An iPhone 14 in good condition now tops out at $235 with the iPhone 17 line current.
Mac trade-in values
| Model | Max trade-in value |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro (top config) | $855 |
| MacBook Air (top config) | $580 |
| Mac Studio | $1,305 |
| Mac mini | $480 |
| iMac | $380 |
iPad and Apple Watch trade-in values
| Device | Max trade-in value |
|---|---|
| iPad Pro | $720 |
| iPad Air | $490 |
| iPad mini | $300 |
| iPad | $260 |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | $305 |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | $165 |
| Apple Watch Series 9 | $135 |
These are maximum estimates for devices in good condition with all original accessories. Real-world offers are often lower, especially for devices with battery degradation, screen marks, or missing chargers.
The alternative: buying refurbished devices
Buying refurbished means purchasing a pre-owned Apple device that has been inspected, tested, repaired to a functional standard, and sold with a warranty. It is a separate strategy from trade-in: instead of credit toward a new product, you spend less upfront on a device that may be one or two generations old but performs reliably.
Why refurbished makes sense for most buyers
New Apple products carry premium pricing. A new iPhone 17 starts at $799. A 13-inch MacBook Air with the M5 chip starts at $1,299, up from $1,099 before Apple's June 2026 price increase. Refurbished alternatives land 25 to 50 percent below those figures depending on the model, seller, and condition grade.
Refurbishers use standardized cosmetic condition grades so you know what to expect. Grade A devices typically show minimal signs of use. Grade B devices may have light scratches but function perfectly. Every reputable refurbisher backs their devices with at least a 12-month warranty.
The best-known tier is Apple Certified Refurbished. Every unit is thoroughly cleaned and inspected, rebuilt with genuine Apple replacement parts as needed, packed in a brand new white box, shipped with free returns, and covered by the same one-year limited warranty a new device carries.
The new battery and outer shell are the part buyers most often get wrong. Apple's terms state: "Refurbished iOS devices will come with new battery and outer shell." That promise covers iPhone and iPad. A refurbished Mac, iMac or set of AirPods gets the genuine replacement parts, cleaning, inspection and full functional testing, but Apple does not guarantee a new battery or a new casing on those.
Third-party refurbishers usually go deeper on price than Apple's own program. Back Market carries the broadest catalogue across both phones and laptops. Gazelle is a strong US option for iPhones specifically: it stocks refurbished iPhones on RefurbMe today but carries no refurbished MacBook listings at all, so it is not the place to shop for a laptop. Our guide to whether Apple refurbished is worth it works through what the higher Apple price actually buys you.
Current refurbished pricing on RefurbMe (August 2026)
Checked against RefurbMe's live US listings on 17 August 2026:
- Refurbished iPhone 15 (unlocked, good condition): from $385 on Back Market, with an outright floor of $319 through eBay Refurbished. 54 units in stock.
- Refurbished iPhone 16: from $420 on Back Market, 47 percent below its $799 launch price. 54 units in stock.
- Refurbished iPhone 17, the current generation: from $690 on Back Market, roughly 14 percent below new. 23 units in stock.
- Refurbished Apple Silicon MacBook Air: from $379 for an M1 and $539 for an M2, out of 132 listings in stock.
You can compare hundreds of listings across sellers, conditions, and configurations on RefurbMe's iPhone page and MacBook page.
Refurbished and the circular economy
Choosing refurbished also has an environmental dimension. Extending the useful life of a device by several years reduces electronic waste and the carbon footprint associated with manufacturing new hardware. If sustainability matters to you, buying refurbished supports the circular economy in a direct and measurable way.
Side-by-side comparison: Trade In vs refurbished
| Factor | Apple Trade In | Buying refurbished |
|---|---|---|
| What you do with old device | Hand it to Apple for credit | Sell privately or keep it |
| Savings on next device | Partial credit (varies by model) | 25-50% off retail |
| Device you end up with | Brand new, latest model | One or two generations older, lower price |
| Warranty | Full Apple warranty on new device | 12+ months from refurbisher |
| New battery guaranteed | Not applicable, the device is new | Yes on Apple refurbished iPhone and iPad, not on Mac |
| Locked into Apple ecosystem | Yes, credit is Apple-only | No, you can choose any seller |
| Process complexity | Low, Apple handles logistics | Low to medium, depends on seller |
| Best for | Buyers committed to the newest model | Buyers focused on maximum savings |
The key insight from this table: trade-in and refurbished are not always competing choices. Many buyers do both. They trade in an old device to recoup some value, then put that credit toward a purchase rather than paying full retail.
Real-world savings examples
Scenario 1: Upgrading from an iPhone 14
- Apple Trade In estimate for an iPhone 14 in good condition: up to $235.
- New iPhone 17: $799.
- Net cost after trade-in: about $564, and the old phone is gone.
- Refurbished iPhone 16 on RefurbMe: from $420, with 54 listings in stock.
Buying the refurbished iPhone 16 costs roughly $144 less than the trade-in route and leaves you still holding the iPhone 14 as a backup. The trade-off is a phone one generation behind, and not factory-sealed.
Scenario 2: Getting a MacBook without a device to trade
You have nothing to trade, so Apple Trade In does not apply at all. A new 13-inch MacBook Air (M5) is $1,299. Apple's own Certified Refurbished store starts its MacBook Air listings at $1,359, marked down from $1,599, a saving of $240 or about 15 percent.
On RefurbMe, an Apple Silicon MacBook Air starts at $379 for an M1 and $539 for an M2. Both run the same Apple Silicon architecture as the current M5, and for browsing, email, documents and video calls they remain fully capable machines.
Scenario 3: Buying on a tight budget
If your goal is the lowest total spend, refurbished wins clearly. A refurbished iPhone 15 at $319 delivers a capable, fully supported device for 40 percent of a new iPhone 17. Apple Trade In only helps if you already own something valuable, and only when the credit goes toward a new purchase.
Which option is right for you?
Use Apple Trade In when:
- You are buying a new Apple device and want instant credit with zero hassle.
- You have a recent, high-value device (iPhone 16 or 17, a recent MacBook Pro) in excellent condition.
- You prefer Apple's end-to-end support for data transfer and device disposal.
Buy refurbished when:
- Maximum savings is the priority and you do not need the very latest model.
- You do not have a device worth trading, or your device is old enough that Apple's offer is very low.
- You want to combine strategies: trade in or sell the old device, then buy refurbished at a steep discount.
- You care about the environmental impact of your purchase.
For most buyers who are not chasing the newest model, refurbished delivers better value, and the two figures below show why. Apple's top estimate for an iPhone 15 is $335, while the cheapest refurbished iPhone 15 on RefurbMe is $319. Handing one to Apple and buying the same model back second hand is close to a wash, which is precisely why trade-in credit only pays off when it goes toward something new.
Where to compare and buy refurbished Apple devices
On RefurbMe, we track refurbished Apple listings across Back Market, Gazelle, Mac of All Trades, Amazon Renewed and eBay Refurbished, alongside Apple's own Certified Refurbished store. eBay Refurbished is eBay's vetted refurbished program with graded conditions and a warranty, not the open peer-to-peer marketplace. Every seller we list offers a warranty.
You can filter by model, condition grade, storage, price, and discount level to find the exact configuration you want.
128GB storage
Purple
1.1Ghz Intel Dual-Core M 5th gen
8GB memory • Space Gray
2015 release
2.2Ghz Intel Quad-Core i7 4th gen
16GB memory • Silver
2015 release
Set a price alert on any listing and we will notify you when the price drops. That is particularly useful for current-generation models like the iPhone 17, where refurbished stock builds up gradually and prices fall as inventory arrives.
FAQ
Last updated: Aug 17, 2026 · First published: Jul 25, 2023