How much is an iPhone SE worth?
Apple has a firm – and continuous – trend of loading its products with quality. From top tier design to ongoing support for and access to software updates regardless of which iPhone you have, they’ve got enough to keep millions of consumers coming back for years.
Another thing giving Apple a leg up on the competition is iPhone’s consistently high resale values. While you won’t get back the full value on what you paid at your local Verizon outlet for an iPhone model, you can certainly plan on making a bigger dent towards an upgrade than any Android user out there
Like purchasing a car and driving it off the lot, taking a new smartphone out of the box causes its trade-in value to plummet. iPhones are no exception to this. They typically lose roughly 43% of their value in the initial half-year. Android phones, however, don’t come anywhere close to that, with brands like LG and Huawei depreciating a much more drastic 56% and 74% on average annually, respectively. So, for folks looking to maximize their trade-in value when upgrading, there’s no better smartphone option than iPhone.
Since you’ve found your way here, we can only guess that you’re either in the market for buyback quotes or thinking about trading in your old iPhone SE now that the new iPhone is announced. Fortunately, the 1st- and 2nd-generation iPhone SE are no exception to Apple’s high-resale-value rule.
So, just how much can you expect to get for your used iPhone SE this fall? Read on to find out.
How Much Is an iPhone SE Worth?
iPhone SE Resale Value Comparison Chart
The Only Constant: Changing iPhone Resale Values
Initially launched in 2016 and making its return in 2020, the iPhone SE has everything Apple fans have come to know and love, tucked into a smaller frame and a much friendlier price point than its iPhone counterparts. Newer models started out at just $399 apiece, making the iPhone SE the perfect choice for anyone looking for Apple’s renowned quality for a much more affordable price.
Now that there are newer models on the market, however, you might be curious about how much your used iPhone SE could be worth. Aside from which version you have, your 1st- or 2nd-generation iPhone SE’s resale value depends on a number of things, including:
| • | Condition – Cosmetic issues such as cracks will cost you (scratches could lower your trade-in by an average of 23%), as will any sort of functional damage. |
| • | Carrier – If your iPhone SE is locked to a specific network (Verizon being the exception, since all Verizon phones are unlocked automatically 60 days after purchase), your resale value might drop anywhere between 24-51%, based on which carrier you have. |
| • | Payment – Choosing store credit over cash will earn you more money, though you’re limited on how to spend it. |
| • | Storage size – More GBs equals a bigger payout. |
All things considered, a used 2nd-generation (2020) iPhone SE with 256GB in good condition on the Verizon network is worth between $85 and $215. Meanwhile, the resale value for a 1st-generation (2016) iPhone SE with the 128GB falls between $16 and $43 – not too shabby for a four-year-old phone that started out at only $399. This, of course, depends on where you choose to trade in your device.
Remember that your offer can vary considerably depending on the condition of your phone. For example, an iPhone SE that won’t turn on likely won’t be worth anything, while a never-been-activated, 2nd-generation iPhone SE will get you a full $265 at GadgetGone.
As you probably noticed from the price ranges above, where you wind up trading in your used 1st or 2nd-generation iPhone SE can make a huge difference in your buyback payout. While getting $85 in cash straight away from an ecoATM might sound great at first, you might realize that, had you waited a few days, you could get almost twice that amount in cash with GadgetGone. Similarly, while $185 in account credit from your wireless carrier might sound like a sweet deal, what if you need cash instead?
So, whether you need to make some extra cash or want to trade in, the best thing you can do is investigate iPhone resale values across a range of retailers. Keep your options open – this could include buyback sites, big-box retailers, your carrier, Apple Trade In, and maybe even a wildcard like GameStop, Amazon, or ecoATM. Be on the lookout for any special promotions to help maximize your trade-in. Some buyback companies (like GadgetGone) will even allow you to price match if you find a better deal with a competitor.
By putting in a little extra work up front, you can make sure you’re getting the most money possible for your used iPhone.
To give you a jump on the process, we looked up the current resale values at some popular buyback options. Keep in mind that the offers below are for a 1st-generation iPhone SE with 128GB in good condition, or a 2nd-generation iPhone SE with 256GB in good condition on the Verizon network. Your offer will depend on your iPhone’s storage size, condition, and carrier.
| iPhone SE (2nd Gen.) | iPhone SE (1st Gen.) | |
| GadgetGone (cash) | $215 | $43 |
| Amazon Trade-In (store credit) | $101 | $12 |
| Best Buy Trade-In (store credit) | $140 | — |
| ecoATM (cash) | $85 | $16 |
| GameStop Trade-In (store credit) | $148 | — |
| Apple Trade In (store credit) | $160 | — |
| AT&T Trade-In Program (store credit) | $90 | — |
| T-Mobile Trade-In Program (store credit) | $130 | $9 |
| Verizon Device Trade-In Program (store credit) | $130 | $10 |
(As you can see, some programs don’t even accept the original iPhone SE anymore.)
Feeling inspired? Why not check out our reviews of Amazon Trade-In, Best Buy Trade-In, ecoATM, GameStop Trade-In, Apple Trade In, AT&T Trade-In, T-Mobile Trade-In, and Verizon Device Trade-In before selecting a trade-in option?
Think the values above look good to you? You may want to jump quick, as values on older models like the iPhone SE won’t last long. In fact, when a new iPhone launches, you can plan on those numbers dropping around 30% in the 24 hours following the announcement. (Not that there’s a new announcement happening right away, but you never know.) Bottom line? You’ll want to act fast.
Thankfully, most buyback companies and trade-in programs lock in your offer, giving you time to weigh your options (here at GadgetGone, we provide a price-lock period for 14 days). Be sure to take advantage while iPhone SE 2nd Generation resale values are still high.
Speaking of fluctuating trade-in values, it’s important to mention that all the quotes above are subject to change once your device is received and evaluated. You might think that your iPhone is in pretty good condition, but evaluators may have a different idea. So, don’t be shocked if that $140 you were planning on becomes $100 due to wear and tear.
We admit, the process can be annoying. Unfortunately, what looks gently used to you may actually be the worse for wear in the eyes of an expert. Luckily, most trade-in options will give your old iPhone back – for free, no questions asked – if you don’t like your updated offer. Most, but not all (we’re looking at you, Verizon).
Plus, it’s worth noting that some companies, such as Amazon, outsource their phone inspection to third-parties. We here at GadgetGone handle everything in-house, and with efficiency. Not to mention we provide more options when it comes to how you want your money back, be it cash, a check or an Amazon gift card. Plus we offer the most when it comes to the original iPhone SE, compared to what others have on hand – if they provide anything at all.
Do your research, and if you find a good offer, don’t miss out on it!
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