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iPhone Air Trade In Value Matches Cheaper iPhone 17 in US, Despite Higher Launch Price

iPhone Air Trade-In Value Matches Cheaper iPhone 17 in US, Despite Higher Launch Price

Compared with their launch prices, the current figures represent a drop of around $400 (roughly Rs. 38,400) for the iPhone Air.

Written by Sucharita Ganguly, Edited by Rohan Pal | Updated: 15 September 2026 12:17 IST

iPhone Air Trade-In Value Matches Cheaper iPhone 17 in US, Despite Higher Launch Price

Photo Credit: Apple

Trade-in values can change after Apple checks the device

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Highlights

iPhone 17 starts lower but matches the Air’s trade-in value in the US
iPhone Air gets a higher trade-in value than iPhone 17 in India
At launch, iPhone Air was positioned between standard and Pro models

Apple recently expanded its lineup with the iPhone 18 Pro models and its first foldable iPhone, the iPhone Duo. The company's latest trade-in figures could disappoint iPhone Air owners in the US planning their next upgrade. The iPhone Air currently receives the same maximum trade-in credit as the cheaper iPhone 17, despite launching at a higher price point than the standard iPhone 17. The situation is different in India, where the iPhone Air currently commands a higher maximum trade-in value than the standard iPhone 17.

iPhone Air Gets the Same Trade-In Value as iPhone 17 in the US

Apple's US trade-in page currently puts the maximum value of the iPhone Air at $585 (roughly Rs. 56,000). The iPhone 17 gets the same amount, despite starting at a lower price. The Air debuted at $999 (roughly Rs. 95,800) for the 256GB model, while the same variant of the iPhone 17 started at $799 (roughly Rs. 76,600). That $200 (roughly Rs. 19,200) launch-price difference has therefore disappeared from Apple's current trade-in valuation.

Iphone Air Discussion

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The difference is more noticeable when you bring the Pro models into the comparison. The iPhone 17 Pro, which started at $1,099 (roughly Rs. 1,05,400) in the US, is currently worth up to $785 (roughly Rs. 75,300) under Apple's trade-in programme. The iPhone 17 Pro Max started at $1,199 (roughly Rs. 1,15,000) and gets up to $885 (roughly Rs. 84,900). Against these figures, the iPhone Air's $585 (roughly Rs. 56,000) valuation puts it alongside the much cheaper standard iPhone 17 rather than between the base and Pro models.

iPhone 18 Pro Max Buyers Face Nearly Month-Long Wait for Delivery

Compared with their launch prices, the current figures represent a drop of around $400 (roughly Rs. 38,400) for the iPhone Air and roughly $300 (roughly Rs. 28,800) for the iPhone 17. Readers should also note that the displayed figures are only maximum estimates. The amount ultimately offered can change after the company evaluates the phone and verifies its condition.

Owners who want to avoid Apple's valuation can explore private sales or other trade-in services, though that means taking on some risks and the effort of dealing directly with buyers.

iPhone Air Gets Higher Trade-In Value Than iPhone 17 in India

The iPhone Air fares better against the iPhone 17 in Apple's India trade-in programme. The phone is currently eligible for up to Rs 55,500, compared with Rs 45,000 for the iPhone 17. The iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max are listed at up to Rs 67,000 and Rs 81,500, respectively.

Apple Knows What the iPhone Duo Is Missing, but Fixing It Will Take Years

The difference is worth considering alongside their launch prices. The iPhone Air started at Rs 1,19,900 for the 256GB model in India, while the same variant of the iPhone 17 debuted at Rs 82,900. The Air was therefore Rs 37,000 more expensive at launch, but Apple's current trade-in figures give it a Rs 10,500 advantage over the standard iPhone 17.

iPhone 18 Pro Max US Model Reportedly Misses Apple’s C2 Modem

That is still a better outcome for the Air than in the US, where Apple currently gives both models the same maximum trade-in value. In India, at least, the higher-priced Air retains some of that gap when traded in.

iPhone Air

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Incredibly lightweight and super thin
Stunning display
Solid performance
Good primary and selfie cameras

Bad
A single-camera sensor at the back
Slow charging
Battery life could have been better
Mono speaker leaves much to be desired
Expensive

Read detailed Apple iPhone Air review

Display 6.50-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1260x2736 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
Transformative and brighter ProMotion display
Powerful performance
Meaningful camera upgrades
More value-for-money
Great battery life

Bad
iOS 26 has glitches
Ineffective anti-reflective coating

Read detailed Apple iPhone 17 review

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A19

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 8GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro

KEY SPECS
NEWS

Display 6.30-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1206x2622 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

iPhone 17 Pro Max

REVIEW
KEY SPECS
NEWS

Design
Display
Software
Performance
Battery Life
Camera
Value for Money

Good
The boldest redesign since the iPhone X
Bright and stunning display
A19 Pro under the hood guarantees excellent performance
Massive camera upgrade
Video quality gets a much-needed bump
Centre Stage camera at the front changes selfie game on iPhones forever
Improved charging speed

Bad
Aluminium body picks up scratches
Expensive
Heavier than the 16 Pro Max

Read detailed Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max review

Display 6.90-inch

Processor Apple A19 Pro

Front Camera 18-megapixel

Rear Camera 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel + 48-megapixel

RAM 12GB

Storage 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, 2TB

OS iOS 26

Resolution 1320x2868 pixels

More Apple mobiles Apple mobiles price in India

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Further reading: iPhone Air, iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 18 Pro, Apple, Apple Trade In

Sucharita Ganguly

Email Sucharita Ganguly

Sucharita is a writer with Gadgets 360 and is mostly found playing with her cat in her free time. She has previously worked at breaking news desks across organizations. Powered by coffee, The Beatles, Bowie, and her newfound love for BTS, she aims to work towards contributing to a better media environment for women and queer folk. More