AppleInsider Staff
Apple launched its buyback program for old iPhones, iPad and Macs last August through a partnership with PowerON. The third-party company operates Apple's reuse program, which provides customers with an Apple gift card equivalent to the fair market value of a device as determined by PowerON.
An estimated value for an iPhone 4S trade-in can now be found at Apple's Reuse and Recycling website. Customers with a lightly used black iPhone 4S in working condition will receive a $280 gift card for their handset.
The addition of the iPhone 4S to Apple's Reuse and Recycling program comes as the company is expected to be gearing up for the launch of its next handset, the successor to the iPhone 4S. The company is expected to hold a media event on Sept. 12 to unveil the next iPhone, with the device expected to launch the following week on Sept. 21.
Gift cards for Apple trade-ins are eligible for use at any U.S. Apple retail store or at the U.S. Apple online store. If a customer wants to trade in an item with no monetary value, the device will be recycled at no cost to the user.
In addition to Apple products, the company's Reuse and Recycling program also accepts trade-ins of Windows-based laptops and desktops. Older PCs can be recycled at no cost, while some newer computers receive an Apple gift card provided by PowerON.
The gift card amounts quoted online are estimates, and PowerON will determine the actual value after the product has been received and evaluated.
Wesley Hilliard
Malcolm Owen
Amber Neely
Christine McKee
Andrew Orr
27 Comments
And as is always the case, you can get even more money by trying other places or selling it on Craigslist. Apple doesn't differentiate between locked and unlocked devices either and the unlocked ones are always worth a bit more on the open market.
so when do you have to send the phone in? i'm not going to do this until i see the new iphone announcement
so when do you have to send the phone in? i'm not going to do this until i see the new iphone announcement
Then you'll lose a hundred in resell value…
And as is always the case, you can get even more money by trying other places or selling it on Craigslist. Apple doesn't differentiate between locked and unlocked devices either and the unlocked ones are always worth a bit more on the open market.
I think this is a great idea and very convenient for many. Lots of people don't like the hassles of going independent to sell their phone, let alone posting an ad on Craigslist and worry if the person you're meeting to sell your phone is going to rob you.
I sell a few things on Ebay which is usually high-dollar items like old Macbooks when the new models come out. Otherwise, it's not worth my time and effort to sell something like a phone to make the difference between selling it solo, and handing it to Apple for credit. Hell, I make more per hour in my job (software development) than what I'd make selling said phone that to me, it's an easy deal.
Great for Apple doing this. One extra service to make one's life a little easier.
so when do you have to send the phone in? i'm not going to do this until i see the new iphone announcement
Gazelle.com (possibly others) are offering a locked in quote developed now that is good until October 1st: presumably after new iPhones will be delivered from pre-orders at least.
I waited from Saturday until Monday to lock my quote in and the offering dropped $40 (from $390 to $352 for a "flawless" 64GB AT&T 4s) in those two days so the above warning from Tallest Skil is a fair one.