Trade In vs. Recycle
Trade in when your device still has resale value — you get credit or a gift card. Recycle when it's at end-of-life (broken, very old, no value) — that's free at Apple, Best Buy and carrier stores, or a local recycler. Never put electronics in the trash: they contain hazardous materials and are banned from regular garbage in many states. Trade-in dollar values change daily, so always check each program's live estimator for a current quote rather than trusting an old number.
Apple & Amazon (Gift Card or Credit)
Apple Trade In gives an estimate online or in-store and pays as credit toward a new purchase or an Apple Gift Card; it accepts eligible non-Apple phones too, and if your device has no value Apple recycles it — and any Apple device, any model or condition — for free. Amazon Trade-In gives an instant quote, a free prepaid shipping label, and pays an Amazon.com Gift Card for the appraised value once received, sometimes with a discount toward a new Amazon device.
Samsung, Google & Best Buy
Samsung and Google (Pixel) trade-ins work as an instant discount applied at checkout when you buy a new device — you then ship the old one within a set window or get charged the credit. Best Buy Trade-In is different: get an online or in-store estimate and receive a Best Buy Gift Card, often the same day in store. That's separate from Best Buy's free recycling, which is for end-of-life electronics with no resale value (most items free; TVs and monitors carry a per-item fee).
Carrier Trade-Ins
Phone carriers like Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile run trade-in programs that usually pay as monthly bill credits spread over a 2-3 year commitment, a one-time bill credit, or a gift card — often tied to a qualifying plan or new-phone purchase. Read the terms: the headline value typically requires staying on the plan for the full credit period. Carrier stores will also recycle an old phone for free even if it has no trade value.
Wipe Your Device Before You Send It
Whichever route you choose, prep the device first: back up your data; sign out of your accounts and turn off activation lock (on iPhone, sign out of your Apple Account / Find My; on Android, remove your Google account); factory reset and erase all content; and remove the SIM and any SD card. A device still linked to your Apple ID or Google account stays activation-locked, which sharply reduces its value or gets the trade-in rejected.
If It Has No Value
Don't trash it. Apple recycles any Apple device free, Best Buy takes most household electronics free for residents, and carrier stores accept old phones for recycling. To find a drop-off for any brand, use the Earth911 locator by ZIP, or see our directory of electronics recyclers.