Apple 'will let you trade-in your damaged or broken iPhone'

What's the best way to get rid of an old iPhone? Recycle it? Sell it? Give it away?

If the latest rumours ring true, giving an old, damaged iPhone straight back to Apple could turn out to be a valid choice.

The tech giant is said to be interested in expanding its existing trade-in service, where people who buy the devices direct from the store can trade them back in when a new model comes out, receiving store credit that can go towards getting the latest handset or something completely different altogether. The new system will cover phones with damaged screens, buttons, batteries and cameras.

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The development comes in the hope that more people become aware of Apple's trade-in programme and begin to use it.

"Think about how many shattered iPhone screens you've seen, and yeah, it definitely makes sense", says The Verge.

Currently, reporting any defects on Apple's trade-in site results in the process stopping dead.

As well as this, Apple stores will begin to offer screen protection services in-store. This is only happening now because the company has had cold feet over using third-party products in their shops.

9 to 5 Mac reports that the service is to roll out in Apple stores in the US next week, but Alphr says "given the program runs over here as well, there’s no reason to believe Apple wouldn’t bring it to the UK in time".

Ultimately, the condition of the handset will dictate how much Apple deems your damaged iPhone is worth, but the trade-in values of good condition pieces may not be as good a deal as either selling the phone yourself or using a recycling service.