Right before the iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C were announced, Apple launched an iPhone trade-in program in its stores in the United States. Unfortunately, if you were outside the U.S., the program was not available to you. Now, after several weeks of iPhone 5S and iPhone 5C availability, the trade-in program has hit the United Kingdom.
Apple's UK website now has its own Reuse and Recycling section that lets customers price their model of iPad, iPhone, or MacBook for the trade-in program. A sample we used with a 16 GB black iPhone 3GS in perfect condition (but network locked) yielded an estimated value of £8.75. A 128 GB iPad 4 (WiFi + 4G) in black and in perfect condition fetched an estimate of £350. Not bad for folks looking to upgrade to the newest iPad 5, which is rumored to be launched later this month. Similarly, a last generation iPhone 5 (32 GB, black, and unlocked) with no damage cost £230. The same phone locked to a specific network yielded an estimate of only £115.
Apple's trade-in program is also live in stores, so you can go in and drop off your old device and receive a credit for a newer model. Here's hoping you didn't rush out and pay full price for the iPhone 5S the day after it came out.
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