What Apple’s New Trade-In Values Mean
Apple’s latest update to its trade-in program is a set of higher maximum payouts for selected iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches, making upgrades cheaper and changing how owners plan device resale and replacement cycles. According to PCMag, Apple has increased trade-in values by between USD 5 (approx. RM25) and USD 35 (approx. RM165) on many newer devices, including the full iPhone 16 lineup and every current iPad. These are maximum estimates; the real offer depends on condition, configuration, and exact model. Newer models still fetch more than older ones, but Apple has quietly shifted the ceiling upward for key products people upgrade most often. At the same time, some older hardware and certain Android phones have seen cuts or removals, signaling where Apple sees strong demand for used stock and where it is less keen to pay.
Key iPhone, iPad, and Watch Trade-In Value Increases
For phones, Apple’s headline changes land on the iPhone 16 family. PCMag reports that the iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16 Pro, and iPhone 16 Plus each gained USD 10 (approx. RM45), with new maximum trade-in values of USD 695 (approx. RM3,210), USD 560 (approx. RM2,585), and USD 465 (approx. RM2,145). The base iPhone 16 climbed by USD 25 (approx. RM115) to a maximum of USD 460 (approx. RM2,120). CNET highlights further gains on slightly older models: the iPhone 15 Pro can now reach USD 410 (approx. RM1,900), up USD 35 (approx. RM165), while the iPhone 15 Pro Max tops out at USD 490 (approx. RM2,260). On tablets, all iPads saw boosts, with the iPad Pro moving from USD 670 (approx. RM3,090) to USD 690 (approx. RM3,185). Wearables climbed too: Watch Ultra 2 rose to USD 305 (approx. RM1,410) and Watch Series 9 to USD 130 (approx. RM600).
MacBook Air, Mac mini, and the Biggest Mac Gains
The largest gains among Macs target the sweet spot for many upgraders: compact desktops and thin-and-light laptops. According to PCMag, the MacBook Air maximum trade-in value climbed from USD 485 (approx. RM2,235) to USD 520 (approx. RM2,395), while the Mac mini jumped from USD 340 (approx. RM1,565) to USD 375 (approx. RM1,725). CNET notes that both represent USD 35 (approx. RM165) increases, with the Mac mini’s bump equal to a 10.3% rise in its previous ceiling. CNET also highlights the Mac Studio’s new upper limit of USD 1,045 (approx. RM4,810), up USD 70 (approx. RM320), giving power users a healthy discount on a replacement. These higher Mac trade-in values make Apple’s own program more competitive with third‑party resale options and can meaningfully shrink the out‑of‑pocket cost when moving to Apple’s latest hardware, especially for students or professionals cycling machines regularly.
Why Apple Is Sweetening Deals—and Tightening on Android
Apple regularly reassesses trade-in estimates, but the timing of these changes stands out. CNET points out that the higher Apple trade-in values arrived ahead of Apple’s annual developer conference, where new hardware often appears alongside software updates. Better payouts can soften the impact of rising device prices driven by higher component costs, especially for memory and storage. At the same time, Apple is less generous elsewhere. PCMag notes that the maximum trade-in for a Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has dropped from USD 230 (approx. RM1,060) to USD 200 (approx. RM925), and CNET reports the newest Samsung S23 and S24 lines have been removed from Apple’s trade-in program altogether. This mix of raises and cuts signals that Apple wants to funnel budget‑conscious buyers toward staying in its ecosystem, while limiting exposure to used Android hardware that is less central to its business.
How to Time Your Upgrade for Maximum Device Savings
For consumers, these updated Apple trade-in values are a cue to rethink upgrade timing. Trade-in ceilings are now higher for many popular devices, especially iPhone 16 models, iPads, MacBook Air, and Mac mini, which means trading in sooner can lock in better value before future cuts. CNET notes that all adjustments sit within 10% of previous maximums, so while the jumps are not huge, they can still offset a tangible slice of a new device’s price. If you own older Intel Macs, CNET’s advice is blunt: trade them in before macOS drops native support, because value will likely fall once software updates taper off. Regardless of device, check Apple’s online estimator to see your current iPhone trade-in price or MacBook Air trade-in offer, compare it to third‑party resale, and factor in taxes and configuration needs to decide whether to upgrade now or wait.