Apple Confirms iPhone Trade-In Program Launching Today at U.S. Retail Stores [Updated]

Apple has officially confirmed that it is launching its iPhone trade-in program today at its U.S. retail stores, according to a Tweet from CNBC's Jon Fortt. While a number of details on the program have leaked over the past few months, today's statement is the first public confirmation by Apple that the program exists.

iphone5.jpg
Under the program, users can receive a gift card in exchange for their older devices, although the gift card must immediately be used toward the purchase of a new iPhone. Trade-in values are based on a number of criteria, including model and capacity and physical condition.

The trade-in program launches less than two weeks before Apple is expected to introduce its next-generation iPhones at a media event on September 10. Rumors and speculation indicate that the new iPhones could be available in the U.S. and other first-wave markets beginning on Friday, September 20.

Update: More details are coming out about the trade-in program. Apple is calling it a "reuse and recycling" program and trade-ins for working iPhone 4 and 4S devices ranging from $120 to $250, according to TechCrunch. Customers must use the money to purchase a new on-contract phone.

Apple provided this statement to TechCrunch regarding the new program:

iPhones hold great value. So, Apple Retail Stores are launching a new program to assist customers who wish to bring in their previous-generation iPhone for reuse or recycling. In addition to helping support the environment, customers will be able to receive a credit for their returned phone that they can use toward the purchase of a new iPhone.

Related Forum: iPhone

Popular Stories

AirPods Pro 3 Mock Feature

AirPods Pro 3 Just Months Away – Here's What We Know

Friday April 18, 2025 5:16 am PDT by
Despite being more than two years old, Apple's AirPods Pro 2 still dominate the premium wireless‑earbud space, thanks to a potent mix of top‑tier audio, class‑leading noise cancellation, and Apple's habit of delivering major new features through software updates. With AirPods Pro 3 widely expected to arrive in 2025, prospective buyers now face a familiar dilemma: snap up the proven...
CarPlay Hero

Apple Releases Wireless CarPlay Fix

Wednesday April 16, 2025 11:28 am PDT by
If you have been experiencing issues with wireless CarPlay in your vehicle lately, it was likely due to a software bug that has now been fixed. Apple released iOS 18.4.1 today, and the update's release notes say it "addresses a rare issue that prevents wireless CarPlay connection in certain vehicles." If wireless CarPlay was acting up for you, updating your iPhone to iOS 18.4.1 should...
iphone 16 pro models 1

17 Reasons to Wait for the iPhone 17

Thursday April 17, 2025 4:12 am PDT by
Apple's iPhone development roadmap runs several years into the future and the company is continually working with suppliers on several successive iPhone models simultaneously, which is why we often get rumored features months ahead of launch. The iPhone 17 series is no different, and we already have a good idea of what to expect from Apple's 2025 smartphone lineup. If you skipped the iPhone...
Beyond iPhone 13 Better Triad

Apple's 20th Anniversary iPhone May Finally Go All Screen

Tuesday April 15, 2025 6:31 am PDT by
Apple is preparing a "bold" new iPhone Pro model for the iPhone's 20th anniversary in 2027, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman. As part of what's being described as a "major shake-up," Apple is said to be developing a design that makes more extensive use of glass – and this could point directly to the display itself. Here's the case for Apple releasing a truly all-screen iPhone with no...
maxresdefault

iPhone 17 Pro Launching Later This Year With These 12 New Features

Sunday April 13, 2025 7:52 am PDT by
While the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are not expected to launch until September, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices. Subscribe to the MacRumors YouTube channel for more videos. Below, we recap key changes rumored for the iPhone 17 Pro models as of April 2025: Aluminum frame: iPhone 17 Pro models are rumored to have an aluminum frame, whereas the iPhone 15 Pro and ...
iOS 19 Roundup Feature

iOS 19 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone

Tuesday April 15, 2025 7:37 am PDT by
The first iOS 19 beta is less than two months away, and there are already a handful of new features that are expected with the update. Apple should release the first iOS 19 beta to developers immediately following the WWDC 2025 keynote, which is scheduled for Monday, June 9. Following beta testing, the update should be released to the general public in September. Below, we recap the key...
top stories 2025 04 19

Top Stories: iPhone 17 Pro Rumors, CarPlay Bug Fix, and More

Saturday April 19, 2025 6:00 am PDT by
This week saw rumor updates on the iPhone 17 Pro and next-generation Vision Pro, while a minor iOS 18.4.1 update delivered not just security fixes but also a fix for some CarPlay issues. We also looked ahead at what else is in Apple's pipeline for the rest of 2025 and even the 20th-anniversary iPhone coming in 2027, so read on below for all the details on these stories and more! iPhone 17 ...
tvOS 18 Thumb 1

Apple Releases tvOS 18.4.1

Wednesday April 16, 2025 10:04 am PDT by
Apple today released tvOS 18.4.1, a minor update to the tvOS 18 operating system that came out last September. tvOS 18.4.1 comes two weeks after Apple released tvOS 18.4, and it is available for the Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD models. tvOS 18.4.1 can be downloaded using the Settings app on the ‌Apple TV‌. Open up Settings and go to System > Software Update to get the new software....
Apple TV Plus Feature 2 Magenta and Blue

Apple TV+ Available at Significantly Lower Price Until Next Week

Friday April 18, 2025 11:42 am PDT by
Apple TV+ is currently available at a much lower price than usual, but time is running out if you want to take advantage of the offer. In the U.S., new and qualified returning customers can subscribe to Apple TV+ for just $2.99 per month, for three months. Afterwards, regular pricing of $9.99 per month applies. The offer is available in the Apple TV app, and at tv.apple.com, through April...

Top Rated Comments

M-O Avatar
152 months ago
i'll give you two iPhone 4's and a 4S for an iPhone 5S. since I like your face, i'll also throw in a free t-shirt and potato peeler. deal?

----------

Best Buy is doing trade-ins and you get 50% off an iPhone 5 purchase.

50% off the subsidized price. So they give you $100 for your $450 iPhone 4.
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Chupa Chupa Avatar
152 months ago
I'll stick to selling on craigslist. Value is higher there. Gazelle would only offer about $330 for my 64 gig unlocked Verizon iPhone 5. I can get around 400 on CL.
Depends on how one values there time though. Gazelle you basically put it in a box and drop off. CL you have to post a message, filter out the fakers, respond to interested parties, wait for or meet buyer, hope the buyer shows up. All that takes more than an hour cumulatively. Unless one works at the mall for $15/hr, $70 for more than a cumulative hours work isn't worth that hassle.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Lancetx Avatar
152 months ago
What I'd like to know is how Apple will implement this via their online store ordering process. For example, will I be able to order a new 5S online on the first day of pre-orders for in-store pickup and also trade in my old iPhone there at the same time or something? Otherwise this has no appeal for me since the Apple retail stores have low stock on new iPhones for several weeks after a new model is released.
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Intarweb Avatar
152 months ago
Trade-in values?
Score: 4 Votes (Like | Disagree)
tonytiger13 Avatar
152 months ago
Presumably this is for the people to which the few hundred pounds difference extra you'd make from selling on eBay is peanuts.

And really lazy poor people.

A few hundred pounds eh? I'm not saying you're wrong, but on average, I've been seeing 16GB 4S's go for $215-$250 on eBay. On Gazelle, it's $175 as a previous poster said. So $40-$75 difference isn't anything to scoff at, but maybe things are different across the pond. A few hundred pounds would be like $300-$400!
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
vdesilva Avatar
152 months ago
i'll give you two iPhone 4's and a 4S for an iPhone 5S. since I like your face, i'll also throw in a free t-shirt and potato peeler. deal?

----------



50% off the subsidized price. So they give you $100 for your $450 iPhone 4.

the Beat Buy deal is UP TO 50% OFF
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)