How much is my iPhone worth? Trade-in and resale values (2026)

Whether you are upgrading to an iPhone 18 or just clearing out a drawer, an old iPhone is worth real money. Values change every few months, and the same phone can fetch very different prices depending on where you sell it. Below are Apple’s current trade-in maximums, how to check your exact value in a few minutes, and what you can do to get the most for it.

Apple trade-in values (September 2026)

• iPhone 17 Pro Max: up to $885
• iPhone 17 Pro: up to $785
• iPhone 17 and iPhone Air: up to $585
• iPhone 16 Pro Max: up to $610
• iPhone 16 Pro: up to $510
• iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Plus: up to $430
• iPhone 15 Pro: up to $370
• iPhone 15: up to $305
• iPhone 14: up to $195
• iPhone 13: up to $175

These are Apple’s maximum estimates as reported by MacRumors on September 15, 2026, for phones in good working condition with no cracks. The final offer is set after inspection. Apple lowered values for older models right after the iPhone 18 launch, and they tend to fall further over the coming year, so if you plan to sell, sooner is usually better. We update this list when Apple changes its values.

How to find out what your iPhone is worth

What lowers the value

• Cracks and damage: the biggest factor. A cracked screen or back can cut the offer dramatically.
• Storage: more storage fetches more, but the gap is smaller than what you paid for it.
• Carrier lock: locked phones sell for less privately. Check with our guide to whether your phone is unlocked.
• Battery health: private buyers check it. A new battery can lift the price of an older phone.
• Activation Lock: a phone still linked to your Apple Account is worth nothing to a buyer until you remove it.
• Missing box or accessories: makes a small difference privately, none for trade-ins.

Trade-in, carrier deal or sell it yourself?

• Apple Trade In: fast and safe. You get instant credit toward a new device at the Apple Store, or a gift card by mail. Lower value than private sales.
• Carrier trade-in: can be the most generous during launch promotions, sometimes crediting close to the price of a new iPhone. The catch: credits are spread over 24 to 36 months, and you lose the rest if you leave or pay off early. Read the terms.
• Swappa, eBay and Facebook Marketplace: usually the highest price. Swappa checks listings for Activation Lock and blacklisted IMEIs, which protects both sides. eBay and Swappa charge fees; local sales are free but need more care.
• Buyback sites such as Back Market, Decluttr and Gazelle: quick fixed offers by mail. Compare them with Apple’s price.

Older or damaged iPhones

iPhone 12 and older models get small offers, and a phone that does not turn on may only qualify for free recycling. That can still be worth doing: Apple recycles any iPhone for free, and some carriers give a little credit even for broken phones during promotions. Privately, damaged iPhones sell for parts on eBay, often for more than a trade-in offers. Always erase and remove it from your Apple Account first, even if it is broken; see our guide to turning off Find My without a working phone.

Apple Store or mail-in trade-in?

In an Apple Store, a specialist checks the phone in front of you and applies the credit to your new iPhone straight away, so there are no surprises. Online, you get an estimate, receive a trade-in kit, and mail the phone; if the inspection finds damage you did not mention, the offer drops, and you can accept the lower price or ask for the phone back. If your phone has any marks, the in-store route is less stressful.

Selling on Swappa: step by step

How to get more for your iPhone

• Sell before new models arrive. Values usually drop after Apple’s September event, then keep sliding month by month as the phone ages.
• Clean it carefully and take clear photos in daylight, including the Battery Health screen.
• Unlock it from your carrier if it is paid off; unlocked phones sell for more.
• Replace a worn battery if the phone is otherwise in great condition; the price increase can cover the cost.
• Include the box and cable if you still have them; buyers see it as a sign the phone was looked after.
• Be honest about scratches. Accurate listings sell faster and avoid returns.

How carrier trade-in credits work

When a carrier advertises a trade-in worth hundreds more than Apple’s offer, the credit is usually not paid at once. Instead, it appears as a monthly discount on your bill over the length of an installment plan, often 24 or 36 months, and usually needs an eligible unlimited plan. If you switch carriers, cancel the line or pay the new phone off early, the remaining credits stop. For people who plan to stay with the same carrier for years, these deals can be the best value. For everyone else, a smaller cash offer may be worth more.

Or keep it as a spare?

An old iPhone can be useful: as a backup if your main phone breaks, as a child’s first device on Wi-Fi only, a dedicated music player, or a home camera. If its trade-in value is under about $100, keeping it may be worth more to you than the credit. If you do keep it, erase it and set it up fresh, and keep its software updated.

Before you hand it over