Apple’s trade-in surprise: Your slightly damaged iPhone is worth $0

So, you’ve finally set your sights on the iPhone 16. Maybe you’re thinking of trading in your trusty iPhone 15 Pro Max, perhaps even expecting to get close to Apple’s shiny $650 trade-in offer. But hold up — if that back glass or screen has a crack or one button isn’t working, your iPhone might be valued at…wait for it…$0.

Yes, zero. Zilch. Nada.

That’s exactly what happened to Michael Simon from Macworld. When he tried to trade in his iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB), he assumed Apple would deduct the small cost of fixing the cracked glass, especially since he had AppleCare+ to cover repairs for a mere $29. But instead of an easy swap, he was offered…a recycling option. Free of charge, of course.

Here’s an image showing the crack on the back of Michael’s iPhone 15 Pro Max that Apple is willing to pay $0 in exchange for the Camera Control-rocking iPhone 16.

When answering Apple’s seemingly simple questions during the trade-in process, Michael found out that one wrong answer could mean the difference between cash in hand and a hard pass. Just a crack in the back glass? Apple says “nope,” and your phone’s value plummets to zero. If your buttons don’t work, or if the body isn’t in top shape, Apple doesn’t want your iPhone for trade-in either. So, before you hit that trade-in button, check your device thoroughly.

Now, Apple will gladly offer up to $650 for a perfect-condition iPhone 15 Pro Max, but even a tiny crack could leave you holding a $0 receipt. So, what’s a user to do? Well, here’s where a little pre-trade-in prep can save you some cash.

First things first: if you’re like Michael and rocking a cracked iPhone, don’t despair just yet. If you’ve got AppleCare+, fixing the front or back glass is only $29, which is a small price to pay to turn your phone’s value from zilch to a cool $650. Without AppleCare+, it’ll run you $199 for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, but that’s still a better deal than handing your phone over to Apple for free, right?

If Apple’s stringent trade-in process makes you cringe, the good news is there are other options. Best Buy, for instance, has its own trade-in program, and while they also factor in condition, the terms might not be as punishing. And so do carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile. But here’s where things get interesting—online buy-and-sell marketplaces like Flipsy and SellCell offer some serious trade-in comparisons.

Flipsy, for example, allows you to compare US trade-in values across various buy-back programs and stores, offering transparency on payment methods, price-lock duration, and condition-based pricing. This is especially helpful if you’ve got minor defects like Michael’s cracked back glass — some programs are a bit more lenient.

SellCell is another great option for anyone looking to score top dollar for their old iPhone. It works similarly to Flipsy, helping you compare prices from different buy-back services so you can make the most out of your trade-in. They even have a dedicated section for those selling broken phones.

If you’re feeling entrepreneurial, you can always skip the trade-in route altogether and sell your iPhone directly through platforms like eBay, Facebook Marketplace, or Craigslist. Just remember that Craigslist, while offering the prospect of cold, hard cash, can be a bit risky — think of it as the wild west of phone selling. Your biggest challenge won’t be finding buyers but getting them to actually show up. And when they do, be prepared to meet them in a well-lit, public place — some police departments even offer their parking lots as safe transaction sites.

If you go this route, make sure the buyer knows everything about the phone ahead of time: price, condition, carrier, and whether it’s unlocked. Nobody likes haggling over last-minute surprises, and you’ll want the transaction to go as smoothly as possible.

So, before you go eagerly trading in your iPhone 15 Pro Max for that shiny new iPhone 16, do a quick condition check. If there’s even a tiny crack, consider getting it fixed first — especially if you have AppleCare+. And if Apple’s not playing ball with your trade-in, there are plenty of other places to get cash for your old device. Whether it’s through a trade-in program or selling it yourself, a little research can save you from the gut punch of a $0 trade-in offer.