Apple 'will let you trade-in your damaged or broken iPhone'
Tech giant said to be changing policy so smashed, cracked or shattered handsets can be used towards new purchases
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.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
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.
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Magazine solutions - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
Magazine printables - May 10, 2024
Puzzles and Quizzes Issue - May 10, 2024
By The Week US Published
-
'Box Trump in for real if he pulls another stunt. Put him behind bars.'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Harold Maass, The Week US Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Apple kills its secret electric car project
Speed Read Many of the people from Project Titan are being reassigned to work on generative AI
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The pros and cons of virtual reality
Pros and cons The digital world is expanding, for better and for worse
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
The Apple Vision Pro's dystopian debut
Why everyone's talking about Is "spatial computing" the next big thing?
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Why Apple's carbon-neutral claims may be misleading
Speed Read The company isn't disclosing all the information, a new report alleges
By Devika Rao Published
-
The advent of the AI iPhone: does new tech show promise or peril?
Talking Point Apple design guru Jony Ive and OpenAI founder Sam Altman believed to be in talks to create new device
By The Week Staff Published
-
China steals the spotlight at Apple's iPhone 15 launch
How will a directive from the Chinese government affect the tech giant?
By The Week Staff Published
-
Why is a tiny change to the iPhone's charger such a big deal?
Today's Big Question A change to comply with EU regulations could have global ramifications
By Justin Klawans Published