Apple has changed trade-in rates for older iPhones, iPads, Macs, and Apple Watches. While this is the first revision in 2026, it is the third since the iPhone 17 broke cover in September 2025. Exchange values for most of the products have taken a hit, especially the newer ones, while older models appear to be aging much better.
In September 2025, the company offered up to $700 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, but the maximum trade-in value dropped to $670 in November. Now, exchanging the handset would get you up to $650 (down 7% in a little over four months), as mentioned in a Macrumors report.
Nadeem Sarwar / Digital Trends
Newer iPhones are losing value faster
Similarly, the baseline iPhone 16’s exchange value has fallen from $450 in September 2025 to $410 in January 2026 (about 9%). While those are the figures for two models in the iPhone 16 series, iPhone 15’s exchange value has plunged even more.
In January 2025, Apple was offering up to $630 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but after multiple reductions over the last year, the phone has lost $180 in resale value, now standing at $450 (over 28% decline in a year). If you own the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you’ll now get up to $350 (down from $450 in January 2026).
The steady drop in Apple’s trade-in values, especially for newer iPhone models, is due to a higher volume of returned devices entering the company’s refurbishment and resale pipeline through its own upgrade programs and carrier trade-ins. You see? Apple doesn’t necessarily have to offer higher exchange prices to attract the early adopters and enthusiasts.
New Trade-In ValueOld Trade-In Value (November 2025)Trade-In Value (September 2025)iPhone 16 Pro MaxUp to $650Up to $670Up to $700iPhone 16 ProUp to $530Up to $550Up to $580iPhone 16 PlusUp to $440Up to $450Up to $470iPhone 16Up to $410Up to $420Up to $450iPhone 15 Pro MaxUp to $450Up to $470Up to $630iPhone 15 Pro Up to $380Up to $400Up to $500iPhone 15 Plus Up to $320Up to $330Up to $440iPhone 15Up to $300Up to $310Up to $400iPhone 14Up to $210Up to $220Up to $290iPhone 13Up to $180Up to $180Up to $250iPhone 12Up to $120Up to $130Up to $170iPhone 11Up to $100Up to $100Up to $130iPhone XSUp to $70Up to $70Up to $90iPhone XUp to $60Up to $60Up to $60iPhone 8Up to $40Up to $40Up to $45
By contrast, older iPhones return in smaller volumes, which is why the exchange rate remains relatively stable. But even so, keeping an eye on these values is important, primarily because they often serve as benchmarks in the resale market; the lower exchange values could ripple across the entire upgrade ecosystem in no time.
Anyway, if you’re thinking about getting a new iPhone or another Apple product while trading in an older one, you’ll have to pay a few more dollars now.
