Apple Launches iPhone Trade-In Program in China

Apple’s reuse and recycle program isn’t exactly renowned for the awesome prices the company pays for older generation iPhones. Now that Apple launched the program in China as well, disillusioned Chinese customers have joined the global line of customers turning to the secondary market over Apple when monetizing their used iPhone.

According to a Sina news report (via ZDNet), a woman in Shanghai was “stunned” to learn that her old iPhone 4 was worth only $40 according to Apple’s trade-in program. That’s a bit short of the iPhone 6’s price of $853 (5288 yuan), iPhone 6 Plus’ $973 (6088 yuan) or the iPhone 5s at $725 (4,488 yuan).

Fans seem to be disappointed by the somewhat measly prices Apple offers: $240 for an iPhone 5s (which retails for $725 — see above) and $80 for an iPhone 4S.

As ZDNet points out, Apple adopted a unified trade-in price for same generation iPhones, regardless of their memory sizes and condition.

Apple recently expanded its trade-in program to include Android and BlackBerry devices. However, the majority of switchers or new iPhone buyers turn to eBay, Taobao to sell their used devices.