To get the most money for an iPhone, compare a direct sale with several buyback and trade-in offers for your exact model, storage, carrier status, and condition. A marketplace sale can offer more upside, but it takes more work and carries buyer and shipping risks. Trade-ins are simpler, but the payout may be restricted credit, and the final offer can change after inspection. No one route is guaranteed to pay the most.
Prices and eligibility vary by country and change over time. Treat published “up to” figures as estimates—not guaranteed cash—and compare what you will actually keep after fees, shipping, service-plan requirements, and any restrictions on using the payout.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Apple iPhone 14, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | $300.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Apple iPhone 16, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $586.69 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $408.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Apple iPhone 13, 128GB, Midnight - Unlocked (Renewed) | Unlocked | $262.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Apple iPhone 16e, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $380.00 | Buy on Amazon |
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How to compare offers fairly
Get quotes on the same day, using the same details for every provider. A quote for a different storage size, carrier status, or condition is not a useful comparison. Include the time and obligations involved, not just the headline amount.
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1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors- Net usable value: subtract selling fees, shipping you must pay, and any other costs. For store credit, count only the amount you would otherwise spend at that retailer.
- Payout: distinguish unrestricted cash from gift cards, store credit, bill credits, or a discount tied to a new purchase.
- Quote terms: check how long an offer lasts, whether inspection can change it, and what happens if you decline a revised offer.
- Eligibility: confirm the rules for damage, water exposure, financing, and carrier locks.
- Effort and risk: account for listing, buyer messages, packing, shipping, and possible disputes.
- Location: confirm the provider serves your country and that its payment method and terms apply there.
Macworld’s comparison, updated August 20, 2026, gives a useful overview of US and UK routes, but its figures are estimates rather than a controlled comparison of identical phones. Check live terms and quotes before deciding: Macworld’s iPhone selling and trade-in comparison.
#1 Best Overall
- This phone is unlocked and compatible with any carrier of choice on GSM and CDMA networks (e.g. AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, Cricket, Metro, Tracfone, Mint Mobile, etc.).
- Please check with your carrier to verify compatibility.
- The device does not come with headphones or a SIM card. It does include a generic (Mfi certified) charging cable.
- Tested for battery health and guaranteed to have a minimum battery capacity of 80%.
Which route fits your priorities?
| Route | What to expect | Best fit | Check before committing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct marketplace sale, such as Swappa | You create a listing, set a price, handle the sale, and ship the phone. It can offer more upside, but takes more seller effort and involves buyer interaction. | A working phone and an owner willing to manage a listing for a chance at a higher sale price. | Eligibility, fees, shipping responsibility, buyer protections, and whether the phone is fully paid off. |
| Specialist buyback, such as Back Market | You answer questions about the phone, receive an offer from a refurbisher, ship it, and are paid after shipment, according to Back Market’s US page. | Someone who wants a more direct process than a private listing. | Condition rules, quote validity, payout type, inspection changes, and return costs. |
| Swappa Trade-In | Swappa presents offers from trade-in partners; it is separate from selling directly on Swappa. | Someone who wants to compare partner buyback offers, including for a damaged phone. | The specific partner’s eligibility and payout terms; timing varies by partner. |
| Apple Trade In | A trade-in value can be applied toward another Apple product or provided as credit, subject to the terms of the transaction. | Someone who values convenience or will use Apple credit. | Whether credit is useful to you, inspection and quote-revision rules, and the deadline for sending the phone. |
| Retailer or carrier offer | May take the form of store credit, bill credit, or a promotion tied to a purchase or service plan. | Someone already planning to buy from that retailer or carrier and able to use the offer’s full value. | New-line or plan requirements, duration of bill credits, total service cost, and what happens if you leave early. |
Swappa says its team checks listings and provides recently sold price information. Its direct-sale policy allows carrier-locked devices if they are fully paid off, but does not allow broken phones. Its claims about earning the highest price are promotional, not a guarantee. See Swappa’s iPhone selling page.
Back Market’s US buyback page describes an online assessment, free shipping, and payment after shipment. The page also contains a legacy sentence referring to 2024 alongside dynamic current offers, so do not use its displayed maximum as a reliable 2026 benchmark; request a live quote instead: Back Market’s iPhone buyback page.
Rank #2
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000nits (typ), 2000nits (HBM), 2556x1179px at 460ppi, 3561mAh Battery
- 128GB 8GB RAM, Apple A18 (3nm), Hexa-core (2x4.04 GHz + 4x2.20 GHz), Apple GPU 5-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide + 12MP, f/2.2, ultrawide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- 4G LTE: 1/2/3/4/5/7/8/12/13/14/17/18/19/20/25/26/28/29/30/32/34/38/39/40/41/42/48/53/66/71, 5G: n1/2/3/5/7/8/12/14/20/25/26/28/29/30/38/40/41/48/53/66/70/71/75/76/77/78/79 - Dual eSIM
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint., Etc.
Swappa says many Trade-In partners accept broken or water-damaged phones and that quotes commonly lock for 14 days. These are general statements about partner offers, not a promise that a particular partner will accept a particular device. Confirm the terms on the offer you choose: Swappa Trade-In.
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Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallMacworld also lists Amazon and big-box store-credit routes in the US, and services and retailers including Music Magpie, CeX, Envirofone, We Buy Any Phone, Argos, Currys, and John Lewis in the UK. Availability and acceptance rules may vary; treat these as options to verify in your location, not universal offers. For a carrier promotion, compare the total cost of any required service with the device credit.
Rank #3
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
What the August 2026 price examples do—and do not—show
Macworld’s comparison, updated August 20, 2026, reported the following maximum Apple trade-in estimates. These are “up to” estimates, not guaranteed cash offers; the actual amount depends on the device and the live terms.
| iPhone model | Apple trade-in estimate reported by Macworld, August 2026 |
|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max | Up to $720 |
| iPhone 16 Pro | Up to $630 |
| iPhone 16 Plus | Up to $485 |
| iPhone 16 | Up to $480 |
| iPhone 16e | Up to $310 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | Up to $530 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | Up to $420 |
| iPhone 15 Plus | Up to $340 |
| iPhone 15 | Up to $335 |
The same Macworld article cited around $605 for iPhone 15 Pro Max models sold on Swappa. That is an example sale figure, not a guaranteed price or net amount; it does not establish the phone’s condition, storage, fees, or final proceeds. Use both sets of figures as dated context, then compare live offers for your phone: Macworld’s August 2026 comparison.
Rank #4
- This pre-owned product is not Apple certified, but has been professionally inspected, tested and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers.
- There will be no visible cosmetic imperfections when held at an arm’s length.
- This product is eligible for a replacement or refund within 90 days of receipt if you are not satisfied.
- Product may come in generic Box.
How to get a reliable offer and complete the handoff
- Identify the phone precisely. Record the model and storage, check carrier-lock and financing status, and inspect the screen, body, cameras, buttons, and charging. Use the same honest condition description for each quote.
- Collect comparable offers. Check a direct marketplace listing or sold-price information, at least one specialist buyback, Apple Trade In if relevant, and any retailer or carrier offer you can actually use. Confirm whether an amount is cash, credit, or conditional on a purchase or plan.
- Read the repricing and return terms. Find the offer’s expiry, inspection criteria, and the process and cost for declining a revised amount. Keep a copy of the quote and condition details.
- Back up and prepare the device. Back up data you want to keep. Sign out of iCloud, disable Find My, remove a physical SIM, and erase the phone before transferring it. Apple says the seller is responsible for backing up or deleting data; Swappa Trade-In also instructs sellers to sign out, disable Find My, remove SIM cards, and factory reset.
- Ship or hand it over with a record. Follow the provider’s packaging instructions and retain proof of shipment or handoff. For Apple Trade In, meet the applicable shipping deadline: Apple’s terms say the vendor may revise the original quote if inspection differs from the description, Find My iPhone is not removed, or the device is not received within 14 days of trade-in-box delivery.
- Decide whether to accept a revised offer. Apple says the trade-in transaction is final unless a revised quote is declined. Review the provider’s own return process before sending the phone, because terms differ.
Apple’s official terms explain the inspection and quote conditions: Apple Trade In legal terms. Apple describes the program as provided by a third-party vendor. The relevant rule states: “There may be instances when Vendor will revise the original quote for the trade-in device if inspection results differ from what was described, if Find My iPhone is not removed, or if the trade is not received within 14 days of trade in box delivery.”
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When a carrier promotion is not actually the best deal
A large advertised credit can depend on opening a new line, buying a particular phone, or keeping a service plan for a set period. Compare the total service cost you would incur because of the promotion with the device credit. If you would not otherwise choose that plan or retailer, its full face value is not the same as cash in your pocket.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 6.1" Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 800 nits (HBM), 1200 nits (peak), 2532x1170px at 460ppi, 4005mAh Battery
- 8GB RAM, Apple A18 6-core CPU (2 performance + 4 efficiency cores), Apple GPU 4-core, 16‑core Neural Engine
- Rear camera: 48MP, f/1.6, wide, Front Camera: 12MP, f/1.9, wide, iOS 18.3.1, upgradable to iOS 18.5
- Connectivity: Global 4G LTE, Sub-6 GHz 5G, LTE, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC, USB-C, Wireless Charging (7.5W). (does not have mmWave 5G or MagSafe or physical SIM card) - Dual eSIM Only
- Unlocked for freedom to choose your carrier. Compatible with both GSM & CDMA networks. The phone is unlocked to work with all GSM Carriers & CDMA Carriers Including AT&T, T-Mobile, Verizon, Straight Talk., Etc.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
