AT&T’s iPhone trade-in promotion is one of the most aggressive in the carrier market right now — but the headline "up to $1,100 off" hides a lot of fine print. Here’s exactly how much your old iPhone is worth, which phones qualify, and the conditions you have to meet to get the maximum value in 2026.
How much is your iPhone trade-in worth at AT&T?
AT&T runs two main trade-in tiers, and which one you land in depends on the phone you buy and the plan you activate:
- Up to $1,100 off (paid as $30.56/mo over 36 months) when you trade in a smartphone valued at $290 or more after condition assessment, and buy an iPhone 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max on an AT&T Extra 2.0, Premium 2.0, or Elite 2.0 plan (or a qualifying legacy unlimited plan).
- Up to $700 off (paid as $19.45/mo over 36 months) when you trade in a smartphone valued at $130 or more and buy an iPhone Air, iPhone 17, 17 Pro, or 17 Pro Max on Extra 2.0, Premium 2.0, or a qualifying legacy unlimited plan.
The single most important thing to understand: the discount is not cash and it’s not instant. AT&T spreads it across 36 months of bill credits. If you cancel the line or pay off the device early, you forfeit the remaining credits.
The catch with "trade-in value"
There are really two numbers in play, and people constantly confuse them:
- Your phone’s appraised trade-in value — what your specific device is actually worth based on model and condition. This is the number that has to clear AT&T’s minimum threshold ($130 or $290).
- The promotional credit — the up-to-$700 or up-to-$1,100 figure, which AT&T applies on top of qualifying, as long as your appraised value meets the minimum.
So a clean iPhone 13 that appraises at $300 can unlock the full promo on a Pro model — even though $300 is nowhere near $1,100. The promo credit makes up the difference. A cracked screen or failed power-on, on the other hand, can drop your appraisal below the threshold and disqualify you entirely.
Trade-in values by iPhone model
Exact appraisals change month to month, but as a rough guide for what older iPhones tend to clear at AT&T in 2026:
- iPhone 13 / 13 Pro — typically appraises well above the $290 Pro-tier threshold in good condition, making it one of the best phones to trade for a 17 Pro.
- iPhone 12 / 12 Pro — usually clears the $130 threshold comfortably, and often the $290 tier in clean condition.
- iPhone 11 — generally clears the $130 minimum but rarely the $290 tier.
Always check your device’s live appraisal in the AT&T trade-in flow before counting on a tier — condition assessment is the deciding factor.
How to trade in your iPhone at AT&T (step by step)
- Back up and erase your old iPhone. Sign out of iCloud (Settings → your name → Sign Out) and Find My, then factory reset. AT&T won’t accept a device that’s still locked to your Apple Account.
- Pick your new iPhone and a qualifying plan. The promo only triggers on Extra 2.0, Premium 2.0, Elite 2.0, or a qualifying legacy unlimited plan.
- Choose trade-in at checkout (online, in the AT&T app, or in store) and enter your old device details for an appraisal.
- Send in or hand over the device. If you ordered online, you’ll get a prepaid kit — ship it within the window AT&T specifies or you risk losing the promo.
- Watch your bill. Credits start within 1–3 billing cycles and continue monthly for 36 months. Keep the line active to keep the credits flowing.
Should you trade in or sell privately?
If your iPhone appraises near AT&T’s minimum, the carrier promo almost always wins — the bill credits far exceed what you’d get on the open market. But if you have a high-value, mint-condition recent iPhone, selling it privately for cash and paying down the new device yourself can sometimes net more, and it doesn’t lock you into 36 months on one carrier. Run both numbers before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
Do I get the $1,100 as a discount up front?
No. It’s applied as monthly bill credits over 36 months. You pay the device off over time and the credits offset it.
What happens if I leave AT&T before 36 months?
You lose any remaining bill credits and become responsible for the rest of the device balance.
Does my iPhone need to be in perfect condition?
It needs to power on, hold a charge, and have no cracks to pass condition assessment and clear the value threshold. Minor wear is usually fine.
Can I trade in a non-iPhone?
Yes — any qualifying smartphone that meets the value threshold can unlock the promo. The eligible new device list is what’s restricted to iPhone 17-series and iPhone Air.
Deciding between an iPhone Air and an iPhone 17 Pro before you trade in? Read our iPhone Air vs iPhone 17 Pro buying guide. Already upgraded? Make sure you’re charging at full speed with our iPhone 17 Pro charging guide.
Promotional values and plan names are accurate as of 2026 and set by AT&T; always confirm current terms on AT&T’s official trade-in page before purchasing.
