What Apple’s Latest Trade-In Value Increase Means
Apple’s latest update to its trade-in program is a round of higher maximum payouts for select iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, which means many owners can lower the effective cost of their next upgrade by handing in older devices at improved prices. The changes, rolled out quietly in late May, raise Apple trade-in values by about USD 5 (approx. RM25) to USD 35 (approx. RM160) on newer products, depending on model and condition. For the iPhone 16 lineup, the base iPhone 16 now tops out at USD 460 (approx. RM2,120), an increase of USD 25 (approx. RM115), while the Pro, Pro Max, and Plus versions each gain USD 10 (approx. RM45). Apple applies similar bumps across all current iPad models and several Mac and Apple Watch configurations, giving upgrade-minded users a stronger financial incentive than in recent months.
Big Winners: MacBook Air and Mac mini Trade-In Values
Among Macs, the standout gains are the MacBook Air trade-in and Mac mini trade-in. PCMag reports that the maximum MacBook Air trade-in value climbs from USD 485 (approx. RM2,240) to USD 520 (approx. RM2,400), while the Mac mini jumps from USD 340 (approx. RM1,570) to USD 375 (approx. RM1,730). CNET notes that both products gained USD 35 (approx. RM160), with the Mac mini recording the largest percentage boost of all affected devices. One quotable takeaway from CNET is that “the Mac Mini received the biggest boost: 10.3%, or an increase from USD 340 to USD 375 (approx. RM1,730).” For students, PCMag points out that a top-value MacBook Air trade-in plus an education discount could cover a new MacBook Neo, making these device trade-in deals particularly appealing if you own a recent Apple laptop or compact desktop.
iPhone and iPad Trade-Ins: Small Bumps, Real Savings
On the mobile side, iPhone trade-in value increases are modest in dollars but meaningful when you factor them into upgrade timing. For the iPhone 16 series, the Pro Max now tops out at USD 695 (approx. RM3,210), the Pro at USD 560 (approx. RM2,590), the Plus at USD 465 (approx. RM2,150), and the base iPhone 16 at USD 460 (approx. RM2,120), with the latter enjoying a USD 25 (approx. RM115) increase. Smartprix highlights that the standard iPhone 16 gets “the healthiest trade-in value bump at USD 25 (approx. RM115).” iPad trade-ins move in step: the iPad Pro rises from USD 670 (approx. RM3,090) to USD 690 (approx. RM3,180), while iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini each gain USD 15 (approx. RM70), reaching USD 460 (approx. RM2,120), USD 235 (approx. RM1,080), and USD 265 (approx. RM1,220) respectively.
Apple Watch and Mac Trade-Ins: Mixed Signals, Clear Strategy
Apple’s trade-in tweaks are not uniformly positive, but the pattern is clear: Apple is sweetening deals on its own ecosystem while cooling on Android phones. For Apple Watch, PCMag notes USD 10 (approx. RM45) bumps for the Ultra 2 and Series 9, taking them to USD 305 (approx. RM1,410) and USD 130 (approx. RM600), and CNET adds a smaller rise for Watch SE 2. Smartprix observes that the original Watch Ultra’s value falls by USD 10 (approx. RM45), showing not every model benefits. On Macs, the Mac Studio leaps by USD 70 (approx. RM325) to USD 1,045 (approx. RM4,820), while the Mac Pro drops by USD 45 (approx. RM210). At the same time, PCMag reports cuts for Android flagships such as the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra and Google Pixel 8 Pro, signalling that Apple’s best device trade-in deals now clearly favor its own hardware.
Should You Trade In Now or Wait for the Next Upgrade Cycle?
With higher Apple trade-in values landing only months before Apple’s next big product cycle, timing matters. If you own a MacBook Air or Mac mini, the current MacBook Air trade-in and Mac mini trade-in bumps make a strong case for upgrading sooner rather than later, especially if your device is still in good condition and can command near-maximum value. For iPhone and iPad owners, the increases are smaller but still reduce the effective price of a new device by tens of dollars. Since trade-in estimates can change again around future launches, locking in a higher iPhone trade-in value now protects you from possible cuts. The bottom line: if you were already considering a refresh in the next few months, these upgraded payouts tilt the math toward trading in your device rather than waiting another year.