When Apple launched its online store in India last year, it drove iPhone fans into a frenzy. It was simply because, along with the online store, Apple offered several ways to buy the iPhone. One of those ways is Apple Trade In, which is Apple’s program where you can trade in an old phone for discounts on a new iPhone. Apple Trade In is extremely useful and when you use it fully you can buy the latest iPhone 12 with discounts of over Rs 50,000 from Apple’s website.
No kidding. Apple gives incredible trade-in values on older iPhones. When you open the iPhone 12 page on Apple’s website, it shows that you can buy it for Rs 69,900 which is its original price. But, next to that, it also shows that you can use Apple Trade In to get 20,000 rupees on the exchange of old and used phone. This means that the final price you will have to pay for the iPhone 12 is Rs 49,900, according to the website. Now that’s actually wrong because the discount reaches Rs 52,195 under Apple Trade In. So why didn’t Apple mention it? Let me explain.
The maximum discount on any iPhone is technically Rs 52,195 which you get when you trade in an iPhone 11 Pro Max. Yes, it’s the top-end iPhone model of 2019 valued at just over Rs 52,000. But Apple doesn’t show that maximum discount on every phone. Take the iPhone 12, for example. Despite offering Rs 52,195 as maximum discount on an iPhone, it is only Rs 20,000 you see. Indeed, swapping out an iPhone 11 Pro Max for an iPhone 12 is a terrible idea. Not only is the iPhone 11 Pro Max a lot more expensive, it’s also a lot better than the iPhone 12 despite being years older.
At the same time, if you trade an iPhone 11 Pro Max for an iPhone 12 Pro Max, it’s a good deal. Even the iPhone 12 Pro for that matter. The iPhone 12 Pro costs Rs 1,19,900 while the iPhone 12 Pro Max is priced at Rs 1,29,900 on the Apple website. Now swapping out an iPhone 11 Pro Max for one or the other will lower the price by Rs 52,195. After applying this reduction, the iPhone 12 Pro will cost Rs 67,705 and the iPhone 12 Pro Max will be available for Rs 77,705. The deal which, although lucrative, was totally unworkable for the iPhone 12 is perfect for the ‘iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max.
How Apple Trade In Works
On Apple’s website, click Yes under “Do you have a smartphone to trade in?” question. Now Apple asks you to enter the PIN to see if your location is eligible for the trade-in program. After that, the website asks if you have an iPhone or Android phone to trade in. Keep in mind that trading an Android phone will earn you much less value and there are only a limited number of eligible phones. Now you need to enter the serial number. After that, Apple will ask you certain questions about the iPhone you are swapping in like if its screen is working and there is a crack on it. Remember that the information you provide here is verified when the delivery of the new iPhone arrives. The carrier will inspect your device and perform a quick diagnostic test while you wait. Here are some of what they check:
- Physical condition of the touchscreen, case or back glass, and camera lenses
- Front and rear camera functionality
- Battery wear
- Storage capacity
- Performance speed
- Wi-Fi and mobile functionality
- When prompted by the messaging service, you turn off Find My iPhone and initiate a factory reset.
After these details are verified, the courier will deliver the new iPhone to you after making sure the remaining amount is paid. If you used online payment you won’t pay anything extra, but if it was cash on delivery you will need to give the carrier cash. If verification fails, the exchange offer will not be applicable to your purchase. In such a scenario, you have two options, either pay the full amount for the new iPhone you ordered or return it.