← Back to Guides All iPhone Models

iPhone Trade-In vs Repair: Which Saves More in 2026?

💡 Quick answer: The rule of thumb: repair your iPhone if the fix costs less than 30% of the phone's good-condition resale value, and trade it in if repair exceeds 60% of that value. In practice, newer phones favor repair — a cracked iPhone 15 or 16 screen ($329 at Apple) is worth fixing since the phone has years of life left — while an older iPhone 13 with multiple problems (screen plus battery is $429 at Apple, but trades for only $80-150) is better traded in. AppleCare+ changes the math entirely with its $29 screen fix, and liquid damage ($549-899 at Apple) almost always means trade in unless you're covered.

Cracked iPhone — should you fix it or trade it in? The answer depends on the phone's age, damage type, and your AppleCare+ status. Here's the math for every iPhone from 13 to 16, with current 2026 trade-in values and repair costs side-by-side.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. This costs you nothing extra and helps keep this site free.

⚡ Tools to Maximize Trade-In Value

These prep your phone properly before trade-in (worth $50–$100 in better quote).

Phone Charging Port Cleaning Kit
Clean ports — buyers inspect ports first
Check Price →
99% Isopropyl Alcohol
Polish away fingerprints and grime
Check Price →
iPhone Cleaning Kit (microfiber + brush)
Clean speakers, ports, and screen
Check Price →
Phone Screen Polish + Microfiber
Removes light scratches that lower trade-in value
Check Price →

Cost Breakdown — All Options

Where Cost Wait Notes
iPhone 13 — Cracked screen, otherwise fineApple repair: $329Trade-in cracked: $150–$220Repair if you have AC+; otherwise trade in
iPhone 14 — Cracked screenApple repair: $329Trade-in cracked: $200–$280Closer call; depends on overall condition
iPhone 15 — Cracked screenApple repair: $329Trade-in cracked: $300–$380Repair (modern phone, more years left)
iPhone 16 — Cracked screenApple repair: $329Trade-in cracked: $400–$500Repair (under 1 yr old)
iPhone 13 — Battery + screenApple repair: $429Trade-in: $80–$150Trade in
iPhone 16 Pro — Cracked screenApple repair: $379Trade-in cracked: $500–$650Repair if AC+; otherwise close
Any iPhone with liquid damageApple: $549–$899Trade-in: $50–$200Trade in unless under AC+

The Rule of Thumb

If repair cost > 60% of the phone's good-condition resale value, trade in. If repair cost < 30% of the phone's resale value, repair. Anything in between depends on:

  • How old is the phone? 1-year-old phone with 3 more years of usefulness = repair. 4-year-old phone = trade in.
  • Is it 'just' the cracked screen, or are there 5 things wrong? Multiple issues = trade in.
  • Do you have AppleCare+? $29 screen fix changes the math entirely.
  • Is the phone you'd upgrade to actually better? If your iPhone 13 still does everything you need, repair.

Where to Trade In (2026 Values)

Different programs offer different prices for cracked phones:

  • Apple Trade-In: Most generous for cracked screens; works fine even if Face ID is broken
  • Best Buy: Slightly less than Apple but accepts more conditions
  • Carrier (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile): Often best deal IF bundled with new line activation
  • Gazelle / Decluttr / Swappa: Best for non-cracked phones; less generous for cracked
  • Amazon Trade-In: Mid-tier; pays in Amazon credit only

Always get 2–3 quotes before committing.

How to Maximize Trade-In Value

  1. Sign out of iCloud (Settings → [Your Name] → scroll to Sign Out). Skipping this kills your trade-in quote — buyers can't activate the device.
  2. Erase All Content and Settings (Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings)
  3. Clean every port and the speakers with the cleaning kit (link above) — buyers inspect these first
  4. Photograph the phone in good lighting — bad photos lower estimates by $30–$80
  5. Mention what works correctly — Face ID, Touch ID, all sensors, all buttons, battery health %
  6. Disable Find My iPhone (Settings → [Your Name] → Find My) — required for trade-in

Mail-In Repair Service

Don't have time to wait for Apple? We offer mail-in repair with overnight return shipping.

Ship It In for Repair →

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Should I repair my cracked iPhone or trade it in?

Repair if the cost is under 30% of the phone's good-condition resale value; trade in if it's over 60%. Also weigh the phone's age (a 1-year-old phone with years left is worth repairing, a 4-year-old one usually isn't), whether multiple things are broken, and whether you have AppleCare+ — its $29 screen fix flips the decision toward repair.

How much is a cracked iPhone worth on trade-in in 2026?

With a cracked screen, an iPhone 13 fetches roughly $150-220, an iPhone 14 $200-280, an iPhone 15 $300-380, an iPhone 16 $400-500, and an iPhone 16 Pro $500-650. Phones with liquid damage drop to about $50-200 regardless of model, and a 13 needing both battery and screen work trades for only $80-150.

Where is the best place to trade in a cracked iPhone?

Apple Trade-In is the most generous for cracked screens and accepts phones even with broken Face ID; Best Buy pays slightly less but accepts more conditions; and carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile) often beat both if you bundle with a new line activation. Gazelle, Decluttr, and Swappa pay best for undamaged phones, and Amazon pays mid-tier but only in Amazon credit — always get 2-3 quotes before committing.

How do I prepare my iPhone for trade-in to get the most money?

Sign out of iCloud and disable Find My iPhone (both required — skipping them kills your quote), then Erase All Content and Settings. Clean the ports and speakers since buyers inspect them first, photograph the phone in good lighting (bad photos cost $30-80 on estimates), and list everything that works: Face ID, sensors, buttons, and battery health percentage.