Right now iPhone 12 is not eligible for Apple trade-in, but that may change once the new phones are released. You can keep checking here: https://www.apple.com/shop/trade-in.
If you already own the iPhone 12 (or an earlier iPhone, for that matter) outright, not tied to any financing arrangement, you can do what you want: either trade in the iPhone 12 on the new iPhone 13 or sell it independently to someone eise or just keep the thing.... it is your iPhone, your choice.
But you can only trade it in with Apple if it's an eligible device. Right now it's not.
I did not suspect it would be yet since 13 hasn't been released. I keep Apple Care in case something goes wrong. But wasn't sure how the trade-in works so that is the reason for my post.
Once your 12 is eligible for trade in, you can apply that credit to the purchase of a 13 … but only a purchase. You can’t apply credit towards a device on Apple’s “upgrade” program (the installment program that let’s you trade in a prior upgrade device for a new one after 12 payments). Trade-in credit such as what you’re trying to do will only go towards purchases at the Apple Store, I found that out when I paid off my X and traded it in, wanting to get on Apple’s annual upgrade plan, I was able to start a new upgrade plan, but had to use that credit for other stuff at Apple.
If I’m ordering the phone for delivery to my residence and trading in my current phone, can I bring it to my local Apple store to complete the trade-in, instead of sending it in? Is there anything specific I need to do during the order process to indicate an in-store trade-in?
I got my 11 Pro in store about month after release. I was trading in the X and the store told me that Apple will send me a box to mail it in, or that I can bring it to the store within 14 days to complete the trade-in. Although I received the box within a few days, I ended up bringing it in, as it saved me the hassle of having to deal with potential trade-in processing issues (I’ve heard enough horror stories about Phobio). If at all possible, I’d love to do the same this time.
Thanks for the clarification. Do you think if I opt for the store pickup option, instead of having it delivered to my home, I’ll be able to have the trade-in processed at the store?
Or if there's a store near you, stop in to ask if you can do it the way you posted above.
That’s actually a great idea. There’s a store about 15 minutes away from me. I’ll stop in during the week and ask.
