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Planning to Trade In iPhone 12 for iPhone 13? – Here’s All You Need to Know!

By Novak Bozovic / September 13, 2021

You’ve probably heard that Apple's 'California Streaming' event is scheduled to take place on September 14, 2021. With that said, if you're looking to upgrade to the latest iPhone, now's your time to think about how to spend your money wisely. More precisely, if you plan to trade in your iPhone 12 for the iPhone 13, we're here to answer all your questions.

Tip

Keep in mind that Apple doesn’t accept trade-ins for the latest iPhone model until after the newest model is announced. So, we’ll focus on third-party offers for now, letting you explore the currently available options. And once the iPhone 13 lineup is unveiled, check Apple’s website for trade-in information. 

When Should I Trade In My iPhone 12? 

If you're looking to trade in your iPhone 12, you should do that as soon as possible. That's because the trade-in value of your iPhone will drop quite soon. 

Getting the highest possible price for your old iPhone (with the purpose of buying the latest one) requires you to act on time. More precisely, you need to sell your old iPhone before the newest one is announced – which is bound to happen on September 14, 2021.

Of course, that means that you'll need to bridge the gap between selling your iPhone and getting the latest model. For that purpose, many have backup phones, which they use for that specific purpose. If you don't have one, think about whether you can borrow a phone from someone.

How Much Can I Get for an iPhone 12? What Is a Used iPhone 12 Worth Right Now?

It's tough to give any estimates, as the value of your phone depends on its specifications, conditions, and its current resale value. 

So, to give you an idea of how much you'll get for your iPhone 12, here are the latest trade-in offers currently available via Gazelle. Keep in mind that the following offers are valid for phones that aren’t visibly damaged (and they need to be unlocked, as well). 

  iPhone 12 Mini iPhone 12 iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max
64 GB $351 $413 - / - - / -
128 GB $364 $412 $419 $435
256 GB $417 $554 $555 $541
512 GB - / -  - / - $606 $774

The prices you see in the table above are the maximum possible values for various iPhone 12 models. They apply to unlocked phones that can power on without any issues. Your device must be fully functional, and all parts of the screen should light up correctly. And finally, the front and back must be free of cracks. 

Of course, if you have a damaged iPhone, you can still sell it. However, the worse its condition is, the less value you'll get out of your device. Of course, if you have a non-functional iPhone 12, your only option is to use a trade-in service that accepts such devices.

Tip

If you rely on Apple for trading-in your devices, make sure to visit Apple’s 'Trade In' store page on September 15. That’s when the latest offer will be published, which should include all of the iPhone 12 models as well. 

How Much Will the iPhone 12 Cost After the iPhone 13 Comes Out?

The current price of the brand-new base iPhone 12 model is $799.00 via Apple’s website. That price should drop to $649.00 as soon as the iPhone 13 comes out. 

Of course, we're talking about trading in your iPhone 12 for the iPhone 13 here. With that said, there's no way you can reach the price of $649 for your used phone. That's why websites such as Gazelle offer around $400 right now, which is an excellent price. Once again, keep in mind that we're talking about the base iPhone 12 model, which comes with 64 GB of storage.

How Can I Trade My iPhone 12 for an iPhone 13? 

In general, you’ll get the biggest cash value if you sell your iPhone directly, in person (so to say). For that purpose, you can use eBay or Craigslist. There are options such as Swappa, giving you some control over choosing your buyer. 

You have additional options, of course. After all, many of you might not have the time, patience, and effort to invest in finding your own buyer. In that case, you can rely on trade-in sites such as Decluttr or Gazelle. You won’t get the best possible price that way – but you’ll have a much easier time getting cash for your used phone. 

Is the iPhone 13 Worth the Upgrade (If I Have the iPhone 12)? 

This year's iPhone generation will focus on incremental updates. That means that if you expect any significant changes, you’ll most likely be disappointed. 

When it comes to the latest available reports, we expect to see a smaller notch, upgraded camera sensors, larger battery capacities, an introduction of a 1TB storage option, as well as updates to the iPhone’s screen.

With that said, the upcoming iPhone 13 won’t be a radical departure from the previous generation. Still, if you’re looking for the latest and the greatest, we’re sure you’ll still want to upgrade your tech, nonetheless. 

That would be all there's to know on trading in your iPhone 12 for the iPhone 13. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. And lastly, thanks for reading!



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