Apple made several significant changes to the iPhone 15 Pro Max that may make big phone haters consider trying one out. (USB-C connection, it’s the lightest phone ever 6.7oz, it’s the only iPhone w/an actual zoom lens, it’s nearly all screen w/a smaller bezel, it’ll last all day – and then some.)
I wouldn’t bother with a trade-in on older phones, as a second phone is worth more as a backup than the meager amount Apple will give you.
Here’s how much Apple is offering this weekend:
(2019’s) iPhone 11, Pro and Max: $200, $250 and $300
(2020’s) iPhone 12, 12 Pro and Max: $300, $360 and $460
(2021’s) iPhone 13, Pro and Max: $420, $530 and $640.
Offers for the 14 aren’t currently listed on the website, but assume they will be in the $700-$800 range. And also notice the Apple fine print: “up to.”
If the phone is in perfect condition, turns on and off, doesn’t have a cracked screen or any blemishes, this is “up to” what you might, possibly expect.
The next iPhone models are expected to cost more, in the $800 to $1,200 range, and analysts say they will have more storage available and that will be costly too. Currently, Apple adds $100 to double the storage, $300 to go from 128 GB to 512 GB and $500 to get to 1 terabyte. Apple is expected to offer a more generous 2 TB setting, which would really help curb on all those Apple “you’re out of room” nag messages. I’d love to have 2TB for my next phone. But does that mean paying $1,000 more for the extra room?
My take: If you have a 2019 phone, skip the trade-in, the 12 offers are meager too. If you can get $640 trade-in value on the top of the line iPhone 13 Pro Max, I’d take it. That goes for the 14 too.
Be a smart consumer – if you meet Apple criteria for top dollar offering – then trade in your existing unit.
However, If it was me, I’d hold onto them as backup devices.