if it has any damage | iFixit image of rear case replacement” />If you’re planning on using Apple trade-in to upgrade to an iPhone 16, it’s crucial that you quickly book it in for repair if your iPhone has any damage. As one of my fellow tech writers found out, when preparing for his upgrade, Apple doesn’t just deduct the necessary repair fee from the value of your device (which could be as low as $29 if you have AppleCare). Instead, the company instead declares your phone to be worthless in its online estimate.
Macworld’s Michael Simon discovered this. He assumed his iPhone 15 Pro Max with 256GB storage would fetch a decent value in the trade-in process. However, when he noticed a cracked back glass on his phone, which he had dropped a while ago without a case but hadn’t fixed due to having AppleCare+, he encountered a problem. When he checked the “No” box under “Is the body of your iPhone in good shape?”, Apple informed him that his trade-in value would be $0. Instead, the company offered to recycle it for him. He managed to book it in for a $29 repair before the opening of pre-orders tomorrow, but there’s not much time left for those who need to do the same.
He was able to have it repaired in time, but there are implications for others. The company offers fixed-price repairs with or without AppleCare, and it’s odd that it can’t simply deduct the repair cost from the trade-in value. It seems to rely on the honesty of the owner when declaring damage, adjusting the provisional trade-in value upon receiving the phone if the description is inaccurate. There’s no risk to the company in this.
Personally, I’m a cautious person and always keep my iPhone in a case. I’ll be selling mine to a friend at the trade-in price as I would have done otherwise. But if you’re planning to trade in a damaged phone, it’s advisable to get it repaired beforehand. Apple tells us that while the online estimate may be zero, they may offer a trade-in value when the device is assessed.
Photo: iFixit.
In conclusion, being aware of these details is important for those considering using Apple trade-in. Whether you choose to repair or not depends on your own circumstances, but it’s good to have this knowledge to make the best decision for your iPhone.
