Apple is updating its trade-in program to introduce a more nuanced valuation system for devices with minor cosmetic damage. Previously, small defects—such as tiny chips in the display glass—were often categorized alongside severe damage like cracked or smashed screens, leading to a significant and disproportionate drop in the device's trade-in value.
Starting today, the Apple Trade In system will implement more granular pricing that accurately reflects the actual condition of the hardware. Under this new approach, users with minor cosmetic flaws will no longer be penalized as heavily as those with non-functional or severely broken devices. Apple has indicated that customers will not receive lower valuations under this new system compared to the previous one.
This adjustment arrives shortly after a broader update in August, when Apple raised trade-in values across the iPhone, iPad, Mac, and Apple Watch lineups. While it remains unclear if today's change coincides with another general price refresh, the move appears to be a strategic incentive to encourage users to upgrade their hardware.
The update is expected to go live as soon as the trade-in website returns online and will be available in most countries where the program operates, with only a few markets excluded.
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