Apple Accepts 2017 iPhone 8 for $35 Trade-In Credit

Q: Why does Apple still pay for a nearly decade-old iPhone 8, and what is the hidden catch for consumers?

Apple still pays for an iPhone 8 because even a nearly decade-old phone has residual value to Apple’s upgrade machine. The company can refurbish some units, harvest usable parts and materials from others, and, most importantly, use the trade-in as a sales incentive that nudges customers to buy a new Apple device. A $35 to $40 credit is small for Apple, but it lowers friction for an upgrade and keeps users inside its ecosystem. The hidden catch is that the headline value is only an estimate and often an “up to” number. The final credit depends on inspection, condition, storage, configuration, and whether your description matches the device Apple receives. An iPhone 8 with more wear, damage, or account-lock issues may be worth less or nothing, and phones older than the iPhone 8 generally get recycled without payment. There is also a pricing catch: Apple’s trade-in program prioritizes convenience over maximum payout. Consumers usually get credit, gift-card value, or financing relief rather than cash, and third-party resale sites, direct sales, or some carrier promotions can pay more, especially for newer devices. In some cases, Apple offers higher trade-in values only when tied to a new iPhone purchase, while the standalone trade-in value is lower. The practical takeaway is that Apple is buying simplicity as much as the phone itself. Consumers get an easy, trusted process, but they often give up the highest possible resale value in return.

3 articles · Updated · Engadget · Aug 22

$35 is the maximum Apple currently offers for a good-condition iPhone 8, making the 2017 model the oldest iPhone still eligible for trade-in credit.
2017 models vary slightly higher: a good-condition iPhone 8 Plus gets $40 and an iPhone X gets $60, while damaged older phones can drop to $10 or to no value at all.
$720 is the top iPhone trade-in estimate for an iPhone 16 Pro Max, and Apple also offers up to $690 for iPads, $2,045 for Macs and $305 for Apple Watches.
Apple’s list extends back to the iPhone 5, but devices too old or too damaged receive recycling only, and third-party buyers can sometimes beat Apple’s credit on newer phones.