Apple has changed trade-in fees for older iPhones, iPads, Macs and Apple Watches. While this is the first revision in 2026, it is the third since the iPhone 17 case broke in September 2025. The exchange values of most products have taken a hit, especially the newer ones, while older models appear to be aging much better.
In September 2025, the company offered up to $700 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the maximum trade-in value dropped to $670 in November. As mentioned in a Macrumors report, replacing the handset would now set you back up to $650 (down 7% in just over four months).
Newer iPhones lose value more quickly
Likewise, the exchange rate of the base iPhone 16 has fallen from $450 in September 2025 to $410 in January 2026 (approximately 9%). While these are the numbers for two models in the iPhone 16 series, the trade-in value of the iPhone 15 has dropped even more.
In January 2025, Apple offered up to $630 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but after several price drops over the last year, the phone has lost $180 in resale value and is now at $450 (over 28% drop in a year). If you own the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you can now get up to $350 (up from $450 in January 2026).
Apple’s steady decline in trade-in values, particularly for newer iPhone models, is due to a higher volume of returned devices entering the company’s refurbishment and resale pipeline through its own upgrade programs and carrier trade-ins. Do you see? Apple doesn’t necessarily have to offer higher exchange prices to attract early adopters and enthusiasts.
| New trade-in value | Old trade-in value (November 2025) | Trade-in value (September 2025) | |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Up to $650 | Up to $670 | Up to $700 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | Up to $530 | Up to $550 | Up to $580 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | Up to $440 | Up to $450 | Up to $470 |
| iPhone 16 | Up to $410 | Up to $420 | Up to $450 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | Up to $450 | Up to $470 | Up to $630 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | Up to $380 | Up to $400 | Up to $500 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | Up to $320 | Up to $330 | Up to $440 |
| iPhone 15 | Up to $300 | Up to $310 | Up to $400 |
| iPhone 14 | Up to $210 | Up to $220 | Up to $290 |
| iPhone 13 | Up to $180 | Up to $180 | Up to $250 |
| iPhone 12 | Up to $120 | Up to $130 | Up to $170 |
| iPhone 11 | Up to $100 | Up to $100 | Up to $130 |
| iPhone XS | Up to $70 | Up to $70 | Up to $90 |
| iPhone X | Up to $60 | Up to $60 | Up to $60 |
| iPhone 8 | Up to $40 | Up to $40 | Up to $45 |
Older iPhones, on the other hand, are returning in smaller numbers, which is why the exchange rate remains relatively stable. Still, it’s important to keep these values in mind, especially because they often serve as a benchmark in the resale market; The lower exchange values could impact the entire upgrade ecosystem in a very short time.
Anyway, if you’re thinking about buying a new iPhone or other Apple product while trading in an older one, you’ll now have to pay a few dollars more.
