What Apple’s Trade-In Value Bump Means Right Now
Apple’s latest update to its trade-in program is a pricing adjustment where the company raises the maximum payout for many recent iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, making older devices more valuable as credit toward new hardware and slightly lowering values for a few select models based on current demand and resale trends. As of late May, Apple increased US trade-in estimates for all four iPhone 16 models, every current iPad, and select Mac and Apple Watch models. For phones, newer devices like the iPhone 16 line see modest gains, while some older models remain unchanged. On the tablet side, all iPad categories receive higher payouts. Macs and Watches are mixed: several notebooks and desktops now fetch more, while a few products, including some higher-end machines and the original Watch Ultra, lose ground. Overall, the direction favors owners planning an upgrade soon.
iPhone Trade-In Prices: Which Models Benefit Most
For anyone eyeing an iPhone upgrade, Apple trade-in values have inched up across key models. The iPhone 16 lineup gets clear gains: the iPhone 16 Pro Max now tops out at USD 695 (approx. RM3,200), the 16 Pro at USD 560 (approx. RM2,580), and the 16 Plus at USD 465 (approx. RM2,140), each up by USD 10 (approx. RM45). The standard iPhone 16 sees the biggest jump, climbing USD 25 (approx. RM115) to a maximum of USD 460 (approx. RM2,120). According to PCMag, “Apple is raising the trade-in values of some newer iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches by USD 5 to USD 35 (approx. RM25 to RM160).” Older models still qualify: even the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus bring up to USD 35 (approx. RM160) and USD 45 (approx. RM210), respectively, though those values are far lower than recent generations.
iPad and Mac Trade-In Value Increases
On the tablet side, Apple has boosted iPad trade-in worth across the board. The iPad Pro’s maximum rises from USD 670 (approx. RM3,090) to USD 690 (approx. RM3,190), while the iPad Air, iPad, and iPad mini each gain USD 15 (approx. RM70), topping out at USD 460 (approx. RM2,120), USD 235 (approx. RM1,080), and USD 265 (approx. RM1,220), respectively. Macs see some of the most notable jumps. The MacBook Air increases from USD 485 (approx. RM2,240) to USD 520 (approx. RM2,400), and the Mac mini climbs from USD 340 (approx. RM1,570) to USD 375 (approx. RM1,730). CNET notes that “of all the affected products, the Mac Mini received the biggest boost: 10.3%, or an increase from USD 340 to USD 375 (approx. RM1,570 to RM1,730).” Higher Mac trade-in value makes it easier to step up to newer Apple silicon machines.
Apple Watch Changes and Why Some Values Dropped
Apple Watch owners see mixed results in this trade-in refresh. The Apple Watch Ultra 2 now reaches up to USD 305 (approx. RM1,410), up from USD 295 (approx. RM1,360), while the Series 9 moves from USD 120 (approx. RM575) to USD 130 (approx. RM600). PCMag also reports that the original Apple Watch Ultra’s maximum shifts from USD 215 (approx. RM995) to USD 205 (approx. RM950), reflecting softer demand for first-generation hardware. CNET adds that other products, like the second-generation iPhone SE and several Pro iPhones, gained modest amounts, but devices such as the iMac Pro and Mac Pro have seen lower estimates. These downward tweaks show Apple is still sensitive to resale reality: older or more niche devices may not hold value as well, even while newer wearables and mainstream Macs become slightly more rewarding to trade in.
How to Time Your Upgrade and Maximize Trade-In Credit
For consumers, higher Apple trade-in values are an opportunity to lower the effective cost of a new device. The increases landed ahead of Apple’s next major product cycle, meaning anyone holding an iPhone 16, current iPad, MacBook Air, or Mac mini can get more credit today than a few weeks ago. At the same time, some devices, including Mac Pro and the original Watch Ultra, have dropped, underlining that waiting too long can hurt your return. To maximize value, trade in while your device is still recent, in good condition, and before major platform changes make older hardware less attractive. It is also worth noting that Android trade-in offers through Apple have been trimmed, so owners of those phones may find better deals elsewhere. For Apple users, though, the latest shifts tilt the math toward upgrading sooner.