Apple has quietly lowered the maximum cash you can get for an old iPhone after its month-long “extra credit” trade-in offer expired on 18 June. The reductions, which range from $5 to $30 per device, hit Apple’s online and in-store trade-in programme in the United States and “select other countries” on Thursday morning.
The cuts reverse a temporary boost Apple introduced on 23 May, when it bumped payouts by exactly the same amounts to tempt upgraders ahead of the back-to-school buying season. That bump, Apple’s first iPhone trade-in sweetener since early 2024, was scheduled to run for four weeks and ended without extension.
| iPhone model | New cap | Old cap |
|---|---|---|
| 15 Pro Max | up to $630 | $650 |
| 15 Pro | up to $500 | $520 |
| 14 Pro Max | up to $455 | $460 |
| 13 Pro Max | up to $370 | $380 |
| 12 Pro Max | up to $280 | $300 |
| SE (3rd gen) | up to $100 | $120 |
Most recent models lost just $10–$20 of value, but older handsets such as the iPhone SE (3rd generation) and iPhone 12 series saw the steepest 15–20 percent drops.
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Apple’s trade-in prices rarely move outside of new-product launches, so the June discount window was a rare chance to squeeze a little extra from ageing hardware. Anyone who started. but did not complete, a trade-in during the promotional window keeps the higher quote once Apple’s partner inspects the device, but new quotes reflect the lower rates.
How To Still Maximize Value
There’s still a chance for you to maximize value on your old iPhone.
- Act fast: Apple updates quotes regularly; historically, values slip again when new iPhones arrive each September.
- Compare channels: Private resales on marketplaces often beat Apple’s convenience-oriented pricing, especially for higher-capacity Pro models.
- Condition counts: Factory-reset devices in good cosmetic shape fetch the advertised “up to” price; screen cracks or battery issues reduce credit.
Customers can start a trade-in online or in an Apple Store and must ship or hand in the old phone within 14 days of receiving the new one.
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