● Covered by 1 source · 3 reportsLow impact1 negative2 neutral
Apple reportedly expanding trade-in program to accept devices with minor cosmetic defects
Key points
- Apple will accept devices with minor cosmetic defects for full trade-in value.
- The policy applies to devices with small cracks in the display glass.
- The change is expected to apply across Apple's entire product range.
- The updated policy is effective when the Apple Store reopens after an event.
- Apple decreased maximum trade-in payouts for all iPhone models by up to $120.
- Apple increased trade-in values for iPads and most Macs.
- New iPhone and Apple Watch models are now on the trade-in list.
- Apple now accepts iPhone Air and iPhone 17 line for trade-in.
- Trade-in values for Apple Watch and Android devices are mostly lower or unchanged.
- The trade-in values were updated on September 9, 2026.
- Apple offers $585 trade-in credit for iPhone Air and iPhone 17.
- iPhone Air and iPhone 17 trade-in value is for iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo.
- iPhone 17 now starts at $899 after a $100 price increase.
- iPhone Air now starts at $1099 after a $100 price increase.
Trade-in Program Expansion
Apple is reportedly expanding its trade-in program to include devices with minor cosmetic defects. This means that products with small cracks in the display glass will now qualify for the same trade-in values as cosmetically perfect devices.
Motivation for Change
This adjustment to the trade-in policy is understood to be a strategy to maximize upgrade potential for new iPhone models. New iPhone 18 Pro models are anticipated to be more expensive than their predecessors, with price increases potentially around $100.
Scope and Implementation
While primarily aimed at encouraging upgrades to the latest iPhones, the updated policy is expected to apply across Apple's complete product range. The changes are slated to take effect immediately after the Apple Store comes back online following a product event.
Updates
- Apple offers $585 trade-in credit for iPhone Air and iPhone 17.
- iPhone Air and iPhone 17 trade-in value is for iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo.
- iPhone 17 now starts at $899 after a $100 price increase.
- iPhone Air now starts at $1099 after a $100 price increase.
- Apple decreased maximum trade-in payouts for all iPhone models by up to $120.
- Apple increased trade-in values for iPads and most Macs.
- New iPhone and Apple Watch models are now on the trade-in list.
- Apple now accepts iPhone Air and iPhone 17 line for trade-in.
- Trade-in values for Apple Watch and Android devices are mostly lower or unchanged.
- The trade-in values were updated on September 9, 2026.
✨ This summary was generated by AI from the outlets' reporting listed below. It is not independently verified and may contain errors — check the original sources. How BrevFeed works →
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How outlets covered it
Apple is offering the same $585 trade-in credit for both the iPhone Air and iPhone 17 towards new iPhone 18 Pro or iPhone Duo models. This trade-in value is identical despite the iPhone Air having a $200 higher starting price than the iPhone 17, following recent price increases for both models.
Apple updated its trade-in program values, decreasing the maximum payout for all iPhone models by up to $120, while increasing values for iPads and most Macs. This adjustment follows Apple's "Surprise and Shine" event and introduces new iPhone and Apple Watch models to the trade-in list.
Apple is reportedly updating its trade-in program to offer full trade-in values for devices with minor cosmetic damage, such as small screen cracks. This change aims to encourage upgrades, particularly for new iPhone models expected to have increased prices.