Did Apple Lower iPhone Trade-In Values?

What Apple changed on Nov 12

Apple updated its US trade-in list on Thursday, Nov 12, 2026. 9to5Mac counts it as at least the seventh update this year. Apple hasn't said why the numbers moved.

Lower maximums:

• iPhone 17 Pro: $785 → $740
• iPhone 17 Pro Max: $885 → $855
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: $610 → $590
• iPhone 15 Pro Max: $455 → $445
• iPhone 15 Pro: $370 → $365

Higher maximums: 20 models. The biggest gains went to the iPhone 17 and iPhone Air ($585 → $615 each), the iPhone 16 Plus ($430 → $450), and the iPhone 16e and iPhone 12 Pro (up $15 each). Every other increase was $5 or $10. MacRumors points out that many older iPhones are only getting back part of what Apple took off in September.

No change: 10 models, including the iPhone 16 Pro ($510), iPhone 15 ($305), iPhone 14 Pro Max ($360) and iPhone 14 Pro ($285).

New on the list: six Samsung foldables. Galaxy Z Fold7 ($410), Z Fold6 ($335), Z Fold5 ($270), Z Flip7 ($215), Z Flip6 ($185) and Z Flip5 ($125).

These figures are the ones 9to5Mac, MacRumors and How-To Geek published on Nov 12. Apple can change them again at any time, so check its trade-in page before you decide.

Apple's credit next to a cash offer

Apple's number and ours aren't the same kind of money. Apple pays in credit toward a new Apple product or an Apple Gift Card. We pay cash, by Zelle, PayPal, Venmo or Apple Cash. Here are both for the main phones in this update.

How to read it: Apple publishes one maximum per model, the most it gives for the best version of that phone. The closest match on our side is the Top column, which is the most we pay for that model. The Good column is nearer to what a typical 256 GB phone with light wear gets.

Run your own phone through both: get Apple's estimate on its trade-in page, then get ours, which takes about two minutes.

What this likely means for your phone

This part is our read, not something Apple has announced. The iPhone 18 Pro went on sale in September, and the five phones Apple cut are the Pro models that came before it. That's the normal direction for a used phone: it's worth a little less each month a newer one is on shelves. Apple's list has moved at least seven times this year, up and down, so there's no reliable way to time it.

• iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max: Apple's ceiling fell by $45 and $30. For a 256 GB unlocked iPhone 17 Pro, our cash offer runs from $575 in Fair condition to $730 in Flawless. If you already plan to move on from it, sooner usually pays more than later.
• iPhone 16 Pro Max, 15 Pro Max or 15 Pro: cuts of $5 to $20 don't change the math on an upgrade. If you're still deciding, our iPhone 15 Pro vs 18 Pro guide works out the real cost.
• A non-Pro or older iPhone: the bump is $5 to $30. It's not a reason to rush, and not a reason to wait for another one.
• A Galaxy S23, S24 or S25: the copy of Apple's list published by 9to5Mac has the Galaxy S22 and S21 families and the six new foldables, and no newer S-series phone. A 256 GB unlocked Galaxy S24 Ultra in Good condition gets $365 from us. The Galaxy S24 Ultra price guide has every size and grade.

"Up to" matters more than the $45

Apple says the real value depends on the phone's condition, year and configuration. Its trade-in page says that if a phone's condition is different from what you described, Apple sends a revised value. You can accept it or reject it, and if you reject it, the trade-in is cancelled and your phone is sent back. MacRumors also reports that Apple moved to more detailed condition grading in September, so light cosmetic wear costs less than it used to.

We work the same way, and this is exactly what we check. Every phone goes through diagnostic software that tests every function, including the OLED screen for burn-in, speakers, microphones, GPS and cellular signal. We run an IMEI check to confirm it isn't blacklisted and to see its lock status. Battery health has to be 85% or better for Flawless and 80% or better for every other grade. Inspection happens within 24 hours of delivery.

• Your grade matches: you're paid instantly once the phone passes inspection.
• We find something different: you get a revised offer with the full test report, and 3 days to decide. Say no and we ship it back free.

Apple's credit or cash: which to take

• Take Apple's credit if you're buying your next device from Apple anyway, and its estimate for your exact phone beats the cash offers you get.
• Sell for cash if you're buying from a carrier or another store, you're not buying anything right now, Apple doesn't list your phone, or the cash number is simply higher.

Either way, get the cash number first so you know what the credit is worth to you. Our quote is locked for 14 days and the shipping label is free. For every storage size and grade on one model, see the iPhone 16 Pro price guide or the iPhone 15 Pro Max price guide.