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Apple Working on 'Cosmetic Scan' Trade-In Tool for iPhone

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Apple is developing a new trade-in tool that will be used to scan the iPhone for cosmetic damage, likely with the aim of generating a more accurate trade-in estimate.

iPhone-trade-in-16x9.jpg

Code for the feature was discovered in the iOS 15.4 beta by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, and it was also highlighted by 9to5Mac. There's not a lot of detail right now, but in a Diagnostic Services section, there are mentions of a Trade-In Tool and Cosmetic Scan, which will also involve a QR code.


We don't know how it works as of yet, but it may allow an iPhone user to take an image scan of their trade-in device to get a close look at scratches, dings, and other cosmetic damage, with the results sent to Apple.

There are no outward-facing signs of this feature available at the current time, but since it's linked to trade-ins, it might be something that we'll see when the iOS 15.4 update is released to the public.

Article Link: Apple Working on 'Cosmetic Scan' Trade-In Tool for iPhone
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2022/01/27/iphone-trade-in-cosmetic-scan/
goonie4life9 said:
I would not be surprised if this is a response to the well-known issues with their trade-in partners claiming "damage," that isn't visible to anyone but the trade-in partner (e.g., "cracked screens" that magically repair themselves when returned to the customer).
Click to expand...
Looks like Apple is finally fed up with the negative reviews and reactions from how Phobio conducts their business! Apple is finally developing a tool that will get a good price for the trade-in, which Phobio can't refute...I think this is where Apple is going with this...to put Phobio in their place...
 
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They already do this in retail stores. When doing a trade in the employee device takes pictures of the front of the device which has a QR code on the display with an all black screen and an all white screen. It also takes a picture of the side of the device. I assume to check for bending. It also runs a diagnostic I assume to check for hardware failure.
 
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Ugh. Does this scanning mean you'll have to look like those annoying people Apple puts in Photos on demo units at the Apple Store to get a decent trade-in offer?
 
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This won't stop any of the mail-in trade-in issues.

The terms and conditions of the trade-in clearly release Phobio from liability related to the shipment and assessment of the device. The MacBook was scratched during shipping or inspection? Not their fault.
 
anshuvorty said:
Looks like Apple is finally fed up with the negative reviews and reactions from how Phobio conducts their business! Apple is finally developing a tool that will get a good price for the trade-in, which Phobio can't refute...I think this is where Apple is going with this...to put Phobio in their place...
Click to expand...
Definitely good news if this is the intent. I've always hesitated on using mail-in trade ins for Macs because of how many bad reviews I read for Phobio.
 
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Meh. In many markets, Apple contracted out the trade-ins to 3rd parties anyway, that have their own assessment policies.
 
It's over for morons and their "hairline crack" claims. If it's cracked, it's cracked. If you have to do mental gymnastics to explain to people why something is not damaged, it's damaged.
 
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JPack said:
This won't stop any of the mail-in trade-in issues.

The terms and conditions of the trade-in clearly release Phobio from liability related to the shipment and assessment of the device. The MacBook was scratched during shipping or inspection? Not their fault.
Click to expand...

Has anyone ever got the indicated trade-in price from these 3rd party companies? I only traded my phone once this way, in absolute pristine condition, in its original box. I was offered £10 less than expected because of “cosmetic damage”, of which there was none.

I‘m guessing that 99 times out of a hundred, punters can’t be bothered with the hassle and accept a modest price reduction, so there’s a real incentive for companies to lie. If they’re processing a lot of phones, a little lie could easily inflate profits.
 
LV426 said:
Has anyone ever got the indicated trade-in price from these 3rd party companies? I only traded my phone once this way, in absolute pristine condition, in its original box. I was offered £10 less than expected because of “cosmetic damage”, of which there was none.

I‘m guessing that 99 times out of a hundred, punters can’t be bothered with the hassle and accept a modest price reduction, so there’s a real incentive for companies to lie. If they’re processing a lot of phones, a little lie could easily inflate profits.
Click to expand...
I have not had any issues with my phone or MacBook trade-ins (knock, knock, knock, knock on wood!). I still wish they would just let me drop it off at the store and let the Apple Store employees assess in person (and apply the discount immediately) so I would not have to worry about this potential nonsense. They already process abandoned Genius Bar machines and other items through "scrap", so it would not add much... except for having a trustworthy staff and/or inventory controls.
 
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MacRumors said:


Apple is developing a new trade-in tool that will be used to scan the iPhone for cosmetic damage, likely with the aim of generating a more accurate trade-in estimate.

iPhone-trade-in-16x9.jpg

Code for the feature was discovered in the iOS 15.4 beta by MacRumors contributor Steve Moser, and it was also highlighted by 9to5Mac. There's not a lot of detail right now, but in a Diagnostic Services section, there are mentions of a Trade-In Tool and Cosmetic Scan, which will also involve a QR code.


We don't know how it works as of yet, but it may allow an iPhone user to take an image scan of their trade-in device to get a close look at scratches, dings, and other cosmetic damage, with the results sent to Apple.

There are no outward-facing signs of this feature available at the current time, but since it's linked to trade-ins, it might be something that we'll see when the iOS 15.4 update is released to the public.

Article Link: Apple Working on 'Cosmetic Scan' Trade-In Tool for iPhone
Click to expand...
This has been live in apple stores for some time, maybe 6 months?
 
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This isn’t really new. This is for Apple Retail Stores and the salesperson that inspects a customer’s device. The salesperson uses a tool on their iPhone that connects to the customer’s device through a diagnostics service. The customer’s device will show several screens and prompts, including a QR code the salesperson scans, for evaluating the devices condition. The salesperson also takes photos of the exterior of the customer’s device using the camera on their iPhone tool.

Again, nothing new. If anyone has done a trade-in in person recently at an Apple Store they’ve seen this process.
 
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anshuvorty said:
Looks like Apple is finally fed up with the negative reviews and reactions from how Phobio conducts their business! Apple is finally developing a tool that will get a good price for the trade-in, which Phobio can't refute...I think this is where Apple is going with this...to put Phobio in their place...
Click to expand...
It's been documented that companies like Phobio handle the shipping and inspection of the devices according to Apple's specifications...but if you check it out, Apple's trade-in application never instructs customers to properly inspect their devices the way they are going to be inspected: so you end up with angry customers that blame the trade-in vendors. Additionally, this allowed Apple to deny the existence of the screen delamination issues on their Macs for years. When you're as big as Apple, you can push a ton of BS downhill onto your vendors.
 
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randolorian said:
Better trade in my phone before this goes live.
Click to expand...
No doubt! Apple wants to squeeze every darn penny out of its customers that it can. They are acting like car dealerships: customers get screwed over on the price of the new vehicle and get a very low trade-in amount on their old one.
 
charleyfarley9 said:
It's been documented that companies like Phobio handle the shipping and inspection of the devices according to Apple's specifications...but if you check it out, Apple's trade-in application never instructs customers to properly inspect their devices the way they are going to be inspected: so you end up with angry customers that blame the trade-in vendors. Additionally, this allowed Apple to deny the existence of the screen delamination issues on their Macs for years. When you're as big as Apple, you can push a ton of BS downhill onto your vendors.
Click to expand...
It's also been documented that the third-party companies make phantom claims, including non-existent "damage," and attributing damage to the wrong device. See here for a well documented description of the most specious claims: https://www.theverge.com/22368541/apple-trade-in-phobio-macbook-white-spots
 
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LV426 said:
Has anyone ever got the indicated trade-in price from these 3rd party companies? I only traded my phone once this way, in absolute pristine condition, in its original box. I was offered £10 less than expected because of “cosmetic damage”, of which there was none.

I‘m guessing that 99 times out of a hundred, punters can’t be bothered with the hassle and accept a modest price reduction, so there’s a real incentive for companies to lie. If they’re processing a lot of phones, a little lie could easily inflate profits.
Click to expand...
I worked in mobile retail so I know what they expect and always have gotten my quoted price at all times.

Don’t let the word “trade-in” fool you, they basically want an “almost” brand new phone for trade in, doesn’t matter how much you baby it, they will actually take it apart and look for flaws from drops and possible spills Because they actually recycle the devices for parts.

What I do is use Applecare + to start an accidental damage claim on an item i want to trade, get the refurbished device and send for trade in. I always get the desired quote amount. Funny thing is though if you don’t have access to apple care you can use electronic insurance agencies to send you a replacement Or fix it close to new such as Asurion Homeplus +.

yeah your spending more money for a trade in but I will tell you that any visible scratches, dents, dings, paint scrape will drop your quote value in half or get you next to nothing and that’s what happens.

My understanding from this is that Apple reps just run hardware tests on your trade in for bootleg parts but now will be able to scan your device’s exterior searching for scratches you might not see under the naked eye.

Always read the fine print if you trade in with your phone carrier you will get phone carrier credit or bill comp, if you use apple you get a gift card.
 
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bookofxero said:
I have not had any issues with my phone or MacBook trade-ins (knock, knock, knock, knock on wood!). I still wish they would just let me drop it off at the store and let the Apple Store employees assess in person (and apply the discount immediately) so I would not have to worry about this potential nonsense. They already process abandoned Genius Bar machines and other items through "scrap", so it would not add much... except for having a trustworthy staff and/or inventory controls.
Click to expand...
Which country are you in?
You can trade-in any Mac, phone - not just iPhones -, iPad, Apple Watches at any Apple Store in the US. Mac have been added for in-store trader-in since least year.
 
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