Trade-in ads promise big numbers for your old iPhone. Sometimes they are a good deal. Often the fine print changes the math. Here is how to compare honestly.
Carrier trade-in
What you get: bill credits, spread across 24 or 36 months, usually only if you buy a new phone on a plan and stay on it. Leave early and the remaining credits disappear. Best for: people who are upgrading anyway, on a promo that matches their exact phone, and plan to stay with the carrier for the full term.
Apple trade-in
What you get: credit toward a new Apple purchase, or an Apple gift card. Straightforward and reliable, but the values are conservative and drop fast with any damage. Best for: clean phones when you are buying from Apple that day.
Mail-in buyback
What you get: an online quote, then whatever the inspector decides after your phone arrives. Payment by check or PayPal one to two weeks later. Best for: people outside a metro area with no local buyers.
Local cash buyer
What you get: a cash offer before you meet, cash in hand at a public meetup the same day, and no re-inspection surprises if the phone is as described. Best for: anyone in DFW who wants the money now, is not upgrading, has a phone with some damage, or has several devices to sell.
The simple test
Ask each option: how much, when and in what form? "Up to $800 in bill credits over 36 months with a qualifying plan" and "$X cash today" are not the same offer even when the first number is bigger. Compare the cash-equivalent and the timing, and factor in the chance of a re-quote.
Want a cash number to compare against? Send us your device details. There is no obligation.
Selling in Dallas–Fort Worth? Cash N Phones buys iPhones, iPads, MacBooks, Apple Watches, Samsung Galaxy and Google Pixel phones, one or in bulk, and pays cash at a public meetup. Call or text (214) 308-1272.