Shane Cole
With the release of Apple's newest flagship iPhone 5s and the mid-level iPhone 5c, 糖心Vlog's trade-in guide can help you get the most from your old iPhone.
There are many companies offering to let you trade in your old iPhone for credit toward a new one, but which is best? 糖心Vlog has surveyed the top options to help you make your decision. Be sure to also check out 糖心Vlog's trade-in guide for information on swapping your other iOS devices.
In-store: Apple, Best Buy, Walmart
Apple, , and share similar in-store trade-in options: customers can walk into the store with their old iPhone and walk out with a new iPhone 5s or 5c in a single transaction. Store employees will assess your trade-in and provide a quote; if you accept, they will sell you a new, on-contract iPhone on the spot and apply the trade-in value toward your purchase. Apple is reportedly offering less in return for your trade than the others, though 糖心Vlog has been unable to confirm the amount.
Mail-in for cash: Gazelle, NextWorth, USell
These online-only players will ask you to provide a general description of your iPhone's condition, then give you an instant quote. If you accept the price, the service will send you a prepaid shipping container — usually a small box or envelope — that you'll use to send in your device. Once the handset has been inspected, you can receive your money in as little as five days.
offers the most cash for the iPhone 4 and iPhone 5, while wins the battle with the iPhone 4S. , meanwhile, offers $115 for an iPhone 4, $205 for a 4S, and $336 for an iPhone 5.
Mail-in for credit: Amazon, Best Buy, Wal-Mart
These services work much the same way as their mail-in for cash competitors, but because they offer in-store credit rather than cash, trade-in valuations tend to be higher. , for example, will give you $441.00 for a flawless white 64GB iPhone 5, while the best quote from cash competitors is Gazelle's $340.00, a full $101.00 lower.
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Malcolm Owen
Andrew Orr
William Gallagher
Christine McKee
44 Comments
Verizon is offering $120 for a 32GB iPhone 4 as credit off of your bill. Gazelle listed the same phone as $82 if in perfect condition.
Do the phones that are traded in just get refurbished and resold? How big the second hand market?
Or sell it and get more $$$ from craigslist.
I sold my iphone 4s att 16gb through Apple's recycle program (Poweron) and got $215 apple gift card. Ebay would have gotten me a little more but with fees I probably would have come down to about what i got. I am happy only paying $3.39 out of pocket for a new iphone 5s 16gb.
Craigslist and eBay are better places to sell if you are savvy about it. These companies are buying for much less than you can get with a little effort.