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Tech News
On the Apple @ Work podcast, Assurant's Rebekah Griffiths discussed how higher Apple device prices and longer macOS software support windows are influencing enterprise buyback and trade-in programs. She detailed shifts in how businesses manage device lifecycles as a result of these trends.
A like-new 256GB Galaxy S23 Ultra, which launched at $1,199.99 in 2023, sold for an average $404 on peer-to-peer marketplace Swappa as of October 23, 2026, compared with a top cash buyback offer of $291. Sellers can choose among buyback sites, Samsung trade-in, or direct consumer sales, with direct sales yielding the most cash but requiring more effort from the seller.
Apple's Trade In program lets customers get an estimated value for eligible iPads or recycle ineligible ones for free, with a trade-in kit sent within 14 days of starting the process. After Apple inspects the returned device to confirm its condition, credit is applied either instantly via Apple Card Monthly Installments or as a refund to the original payment method, a process that can take two to three weeks.
Microsoft is sending emails to Xbox Series X/S owners who haven't used their consoles recently, encouraging them to trade them in at Best Buy for as much as $375 in store credit, provided the hardware and accessories are in excellent condition. The push comes months after Microsoft raised Xbox console prices by $100-$150, and follows its earlier announcement of retail partnerships to sell refurbished consoles at lower prices.
Microsoft is promoting a trade-in offer encouraging Xbox Series X owners to exchange their consoles, reportedly in the lead-up to a new device referred to as Project Helix. The push suggests the incentive is tied to generating interest or offsetting costs for the upcoming hardware.
Consumers looking to offload an old PlayStation console have three main options: trading it in at big-box retailers like Best Buy, Amazon or GameStop; selling to buyback services such as Back Market Trade-in; or listing it on marketplaces like Swappa and eBay. Each option trades off convenience against payout, with retailers often paying only in store credit and marketplaces requiring more effort but yielding higher cash returns.
Apple's product page now allows customers to select color, storage, carrier and trade-in options for the $1,999 iPhone Duo foldable before preorders officially open at 8am ET on October 16th. Shoppers who complete these selections will only need to confirm checkout once ordering begins, rather than configuring everything from scratch.
Apple's foldable iPhone Duo, priced at $1,999 outright, can be leased through the new Apple Upgrade program for as low as $9.24 a month on a 12-month term if a buyer trades in a recent device like an iPhone 17 Pro Max. Without a trade-in, a 24-month Apple Upgrade lease runs $57.99 a month, compared with $83 a month under standard 24-month financing.
Maingear has teamed up with Canadian recycling firm SELLIT9 to let customers trade in used electronics—including laptops, phones, tablets, and cameras—for instant gift card credit toward new Maingear desktops or laptops. The program is live now, and a promotional code offers an extra 5% trade-in value through October 14.
A cost comparison examines whether leasing a new iPhone annually or buying and trading it in is cheaper for people who upgrade every year. Using Apple's current trade-in offers as a proxy for next year's values, buying and trading an iPhone 18 Pro would cost about $414 net versus $600 for a 12-month lease, saving roughly $186. The analysis also lists the trade-in value each model would need to hit for buying to beat leasing, based on today's Apple trade-in rates.
Retailers such as Apple, Samsung, Best Buy and GameStop let customers trade in old phones for store credit, discounts, or occasionally cash, offering a fast and hassle-free alternative to selling privately. However, the payout is notably lower than market value—Apple's trade-in program reportedly offers only $585 for a well-maintained iPhone 17 that retails for $899, and most programs pay in credit rather than cash.
Wireless carriers increasingly promote installment financing that spreads a phone's cost over 24 to 36 months, sometimes bundling in taxes and activation fees so nothing is due upfront. However, these deals often come tied to bill credits or trade-in credits that require staying on a specific plan or carrier, and switching providers or plans midway can void remaining credits or trigger full remaining balance payments.