Short answer: Apple Trade In gives you credit towards a new Apple purchase or an Apple Gift Card. Selling to a buyback service like Sell Techs pays you money you can spend anywhere. The best way to choose is to get both quotes for the same model and condition, then compare.
How Apple Trade In works
You answer a few questions about your device online or in an Apple Store and get an estimate. The value is applied to a new Apple device or added to an Apple Gift Card. If you buy online and pay in full, Apple credits your payment method after it receives and checks your old device, which you need to send within 14 days of getting the new one.
How selling for cash works
With Sell Techs you choose your model, storage and condition and see our price straight away. The price is locked for 14 days. You send your device free, and we pay you the same day we test it, by bank transfer, PayPal or cheque. You don't need to buy anything.
Side by side
| Apple Trade In | Sell Techs | |
|---|---|---|
| What you get | Credit towards an Apple purchase, or an Apple Gift Card | Money by bank transfer, PayPal or cheque |
| Need to buy something? | Credit is tied to an Apple purchase; otherwise a gift card | No |
| Brands accepted | Apple and some other brands | Apple, Samsung, Google and many more |
| Broken devices | May be recycled for free if not eligible for credit | We give a price for poor and broken devices |
| If the condition differs | Revised value you can accept or reject | Revised offer you can accept or decline; if you decline, we send your device back |
Which should I choose?
- Choose Apple Trade In if you are buying your next iPhone from Apple and want the value off straight away.
- Choose cash if you are buying elsewhere, switching brands, buying on a contract, or just want the money.
Get your cash price
See what we pay on our iPhone price list, or read how much your iPhone is worth. Before you send it, follow our iPhone reset guide.
Before you send it
- Turn off Find My and sign out of your Apple Account.
- Back up, then erase all content and settings. See how.
- Remove your SIM or eSIM.
- Pack it well. Packing tips.
iPhone: your questions answered
How much do you pay for iPhone?
It depends on the exact model, storage and condition. Choose your model on our iPhone page to see your offer in about 30 seconds. Your price is then locked for 14 days.
What condition does it need to be in?
Choose the condition that best matches your device when you get your price. Our condition guide explains what each one means. We test every device when it arrives and check it against the condition you chose.
How do I send it to you?
Postage is free. After you complete your sale, we email you a Royal Mail Tracked 48 label or QR code, which includes cover up to £150 under Royal Mail terms. You can also book a doorstep collection. See postage and collection and our packing tips.
How and when do I get paid?
Choose bank transfer, PayPal or cheque. We pay the day we test your device. See payments for details.
What should I do before I send it?
Back up your data, sign out of your accounts and reset the device to factory settings. Follow our step-by-step guide. Remove any SIM or memory card.