Apple slashes trade-in prices, leaving customers disappointed

On September 9, 2025, Apple unveiled its new iPhone 17 at a presentation held at its Cupertino headquarters in the United States. The event attracted attention not only for the new device but also for significant changes to the company's trade-in program. Apple has markedly reduced its trade-in values across all previous iPhone models, now only offering trade-ins for devices as recent as the iPhone 8. This alteration has left many prospective customers frustrated, particularly those who were considering upgrading to the latest model using trade-in deals. Rather than benefiting from high trade-in rates for their older devices, many users find that they will receive lesser value for their previous iPhones compared to previous years. Reports indicate that as a result of these new trade-in policies, consumers may want to look for better offers from competitors like Samsung and Google, which currently provide more favorable trade-in prices for most recent iPhone models. While the base model of the iPhone 17 can be purchased for a reduced amount with a trade-in, consumers are now increasingly wary of the value they are getting from Apple. The shift in trade-in pricing reflects a broader trend in the market, highlighting Apple's shift towards more static trade-in values and a potential pivot in consumer preference towards rival brands offering better returns for old devices.