The best time to sell your old iPhone or iPad is when Apple introduces new models, like it did this month with the iPhone SE and 9.7" iPad Pro. Here's a guide to help you sell your old device for the highest value to Apple, Gazelle, BuyBack World, Next Worth, Amazon, or one of the many other buyback services. [Updated Pricing 4/20/16]
Trade-in values typically drop 20 percent in the 60 days around the introduction of a new model, with much of that dip transpiring from 20 days before the unveiling to 20 days afterwards. Therefore consumers who plan to purchase an 'iPhone SE' or 9.7" iPad Pro should consider locking in a rate for their old iOS device right now, when buyback offers are at their peak. There's no downside to locking in an offer now, given that you are not bound to send your device in if you later choose not to, and can always lock in a higher rate later with the same -- or alternative service -- if a better offer presents itself.
Yes, it's also true that selling your old iPhone on eBay or Craigslist will likely net you a bit more than some of the buyback services, but not everyone has the time to set up and manage eBay listings, nor do they have the desire to set up a chance meeting with the clientele in the market for a used Apple device. So if this does't sound like your idea of a great Saturday afternoon, one of the following offers will likely save your a considerable amount of time and frustration.
Apple
As an existing iPhone and iPad owner, you can trade your device in directly through Apple's "Renew" recycling program, either online or at any Apple Store in the U.S. The online option is powered by Brightstar and requires you to mail in your device in for final inspection. For the in-store option, Apple employees appraise the device in-store. In return for your old device, Apple doles out gift cards that can be used towards future purchases from an Apple Store; Apple does not pay cash for trade-ins. It's gift card payouts are also lower in value in some cases (especially iPads) than competitive cash payouts. Nevertheless, a significant number of customers nonetheless choose the in-store option out of convenience.
Currently, Apple is offering the following flat rate on all capacities, colors and carriers of each product line.
Apple iPhone Trade In Payouts:
iPhone 6 Plus: $300 Apple Gift Card
iPhone 6: $250 Apple Gift Card
iPhone 5s: $150 Apple Gift Card
iPhone 5c: $100 Apple Gift Card
iPhone 5: $100 Apple Gift Card
Apple Trade In Payouts:
iPad Air 2: $200 Apple Gift Card
iPad Air: $140 Apple Gift Card
iPad 4: $120 Apple Gift Card
iPad mini 3: $135 Apple Gift Card
iPad mini 2: $115 Apple Gift Card
In addition, trade-ins can be applied to Apple's Trade Up with Installments plan, which spreads out the cost of a new handset over 24 months.
Common combinations include:
The chart above is based on 16GB models and a 24-month installment period. Other devices are also eligible for trade-in at Apple's retail outlets.
Gazelle
Gazelleis the nation's leading consumer electronics trade-Âin service and arguably the most recognizable brand in the buy-back arena, having serviced more than 1 million trade-ins to date with payouts in excess of $100,000,000. The Boston-based firm pays cash quickly for old electronics (via PayPal, check, or other means) and prides itself on providing the most streamlined and hassle-free experience for consumers looking to sell their electronics with the least possible effort and time commitment.
Unlike some of its competitors, Gazelle handles all trade-in inspections itself, doesn't nitpick over the trade-in value of devices that arrive in good working order, and will even completely wipe your device of data before passing it along to its new owner. When it comes to trade-in services that pay cold hard cash, Gazelle is one of two services that have earned AppleInsider's distinction in recent years for outstanding service and value. It offers a 30-day price lock window from when you lock in an offer till when the device needs to be in the company's hands.
You can read more about how the service works here, or check out complete list of the company's current iPhone trade-in prices in our Trade-In Pay Out Guide. But basically, you visit Gazelle's website, select your model and condition and how you'd like to be paid. A few days after you lock in a cash offer, a pre-paid postage box will show up on your doorstep and you'll have 30 days to place your old iPhone in the box and drop it in the mail to Gazelle. Once they receive it, they issue payment.
Gazelle iPhone Trade In Payouts:
iPhone 6 Plus: up to $275
iPhone 6: up to $240
iPhone 5s: up to $105
iPhone 5c: up to $50
iPhone 5: up to $75
iPad Air 2: up to $225
iPad Air: up to $170
iPad 4: up to $135
iPad mini 3: up to $140
iPad mini 2: up to $125
BuyBack World
BuyBackWorldhas been a fixture in our Trade-In Payout Guide for several years and operates its electronics buyback service in very much the same manner as Gazelle, but often paying slightly higher rates.
To begin, you first lock in your trade-in price by visiting BuyBackWorld's website, where you will be asked to assess the physical and operational condition of your device. A few days after locking in your price quote, a pre-paid shipping box will show up on your doorstep. You'll then have a 30-day grace period from the time you lock in your trade-in offer to the time you need to pack the device securely in the box and drop it in the mail. Alternately, you can use your own shipping box and simply print and affix a pre-paid shipping label from BuyBackWorld's website during the price lock process. Once BuyBackWorld receives your old device, the company will issue a check within 10 business days. You can instead choose to be paid more quickly by selecting PayPal as your payment method.
10% Bonus Cash on all Apple trade-ins
On top of this, BuyBackWorld is now offering AppleInsider readers an additional 10% payout bonus on all Apple product trade-ins valued at $50 or more when you use the links below and apply the promo code APPLEINSIDER10 during the price lock process (where it says "Enter a promotional code"). The same promo code will also work on non-Apple trade-ins as well. A complete, detailed list of BuyBackWorld's current iPad and iPhone trade in cash payouts is also available.
With the 10% cash bonus, BuyBackWorld is currently paying out:
iPhone 6 Plus: up to $371
iPhone 6 Plus: up to $368
iPhone 6: up to $324
iPhone 5s: up to $132
iPhone 5c: up to $77
iPhone 5: up to $93
iPhone 4s: up to $39
iPad Air 2: up to $269
iPad Air: up to $209
iPad 4: up to $203
iPad 3: up to $133
iPad 2: up to $93
iPad mini 4: up to $308
iPad mini 3: up to $176
Next Worth
Extremely similar to Gazelle in almost all respects, and also earning AI's distinction for its simplicity, speed, and financial benefits to the consumer, is NextWorth -- another one of industry's largest buyers of used electronic devices with an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. It's also paying some of the highest rates, particularly for Verizon iPhones .
Consumers can choose payment in the form of PayPal (paid immediately upon inspection of your phone), check (3-10 business days) or in the form of a NextWorth Discover Prepaid Card or Target Gift Card (both arrive in 3-14 days). NextWorth is also the exclusive white-label trade-in partner of Target, where you can also bring your device to receive a trade-in offer and get paid by the company on the spot. Online, it offers a 30-day price lock guarantee.
iPhone 6 Plus: up to $345
iPhone 6: up to $320
iPhone 5s: up to $120
iPhone 5c: up to $65
iPhone 5: up to $80
iPhone 4s: up to $30
iPad Air 2: up to $250
iPad Air: up to $180
iPad 4: up to $150
iPad 3: up to $95
iPad 2: up to $71
iPad mini 4: up to $220
iPad mini 3: up to $130
Amazon
Amazonalso offers some very competitive trade-in rates, though the online retailer doesn't widely advertise its services. Like the Apple Store, Amazon relies on third-parties for its trade-in program and offers payment in Amazon Gift Cards, not cash. Please note that Amazon will pay significantly more than the prices below if your iPhone is pristine and you have all "original packaging and accessories present with no markings." The prices below are for good conditioned iPhones without all the trimmings:
iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi: $229.51
iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi: $278.11
iPad Air 2 128GB Wi-Fi: $284.48
iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $225.42
iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $299.01
iPad Air 2 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular: $314.35
iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi: $172.81
iPad Air 32GB Wi-Fi: $202.49
iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi: $225.43
iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi: $220.00
iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $195.51
iPad Air 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $212.61
iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $225.60
iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $232.37
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (AT&T): $238.05
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (AT&T): $274.15
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (AT&T): $324.04
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (Unlocked): $291.20
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (Unlocked): $325.51
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (Unlocked): $397.88
iPhone 6 16GB (AT&T): $238.05
iPhone 6 64GB (AT&T): $255.01
iPhone 6 128GB (AT&T): $265.00
iPhone 6 16GB (Unlocked): $245.46
iPhone 6 64GB (Unlocked): $266.37
iPhone 6 128GB (Unlocked): $278.00
iPhone 5s 16GB (AT&T): $102.05
iPhone 5s 32GB (AT&T): $120.05
iPhone 5s 64GB (AT&T): $125.13
iPhone 5s 16GB (Unlocked): $95.03
iPhone 5s 32GB (Unlocked): $109.72
iPhone 5s 64GB (Unlocked): $141.91
Best Buy
Like Apple, Best Buy offers both on-site and mail-in trade-in programs. You'll receive a Best Buy gift card in exchange for your device, not cash. However, Best Buy's payouts via gift cards have been notably inferior to its competitor's offers:
iPad Air 2 16GB (Wi-Fi): $163.00
iPad Air 2 64GB (Wi-Fi): $200.00
iPad Air 2 128GB (Wi-Fi): $209.00
iPad Air 2 16GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): $168.00
iPad Air 2 64GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): $202.00
iPad Air 2 128GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular): $214.00
iPad Air 16GB (Wi-Fi): $126.00
iPad Air 32GB (Wi-Fi): $130.00
iPad Air 64GB (Wi-Fi): $134.00
iPad Air 128GB (Wi-Fi): $152.00
iPad Air 16GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular, AT&T): $127.00
iPad Air 32GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular, AT&T): $141.00
iPad Air 64GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular, AT&T): $152.00
iPad Air 128GB (Wi-Fi + Cellular, AT&T): $167.00
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (AT&T): $249.00
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (AT&T): $278.00
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (AT&T): $281.00
iPhone 6 16GB (AT&T): $207.00
iPhone 6 64GB (AT&T): $236.00
iPhone 6 128GB (AT&T): $244.00
iPhone 5s 16GB (AT&T): $89.00
iPhone 5s 32GB (AT&T): $102.00
iPhone 5s 64GB (AT&T): $111.00
iPhone 5s 16GB (Unlocked): $78.00
iPhone 5s 32GB (Unlocked): $81.00
iPhone 5s 64GB (Unlocked): $89.00
Walmart
Walmart, too, provides both in-store and mail-in trade-in opportunities. In-store trade-ins will receive a gift card on the spot, while mail-in trades will receive an electronic gift card.
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (AT&T): $184.50
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (AT&T): $210.00
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (AT&T): $235.75
iPhone 6 Plus 16GB (Unlocked): $184.50
iPhone 6 Plus 64GB (Unlocked): $210.00
iPhone 6 Plus 128GB (Unlocked): $238.25
iPhone 6 16GB (AT&T): $171.75
iPhone 6 64GB (AT&T): $184.50
iPhone 6 128GB (AT&T): $210.00
iPhone 6 16GB (Unlocked): $169.00
iPhone 6 64GB (Unlocked): $184.50
iPhone 6 128GB (Unlocked): $215.25
iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi: $132.95
iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi: $147.75
iPad Air 2 128GB Wi-Fi: $162.55
iPad Air 2 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (All models): $142.80
iPad Air 2 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (All models): $157.60
iPad Air 2 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (All models): $197.00
iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi: $120.00
iPad Air 32GB Wi-Fi: $125.00
iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi: $135.00
iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi: $145.00
iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $114.00
iPad Air 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $118.75
iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $132.95
iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (AT&T): $142.80
iPad Air 16GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (Unlocked): $118.20
iPad Air 32GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (Unlocked): $123.15
iPad Air 64GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (Unlocked): $132.95
iPad Air 128GB Wi-Fi + Cellular (Unlocked): $142.80
Target
Target's trade-in program is run through NextWorth, so prices will be comparable to the figures in the NextWorth section above. Instead of cash, however, sellers will receive Target gift card. Further, those not comfortable trading their phone in online through NextWorth, but like that service's prices, may want to take a look at Target's in-store offering.
Wireless Carriers
Finally, we'll note that many U.S. carriers do offer trade-in plans. In these instances however, the carrier resells your phone for you and pockets any profit, and your trade-in goes toward the purchase of a new plan or handset while you see no cash.