Eyeing iPhone 6S or 6S Plus? Here's how to sell your old iPhone

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Apple's new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus phones are on display following Apple's announcement of new products. (Photo: Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency)
89 CONNECT 144 TWEET 5 LINKEDIN 9 COMMENT EMAIL MORE IPhone update time is here again, and if you have a new iPhone 6S or 6S Plus on your wish list there’s a good chance you’re about to have an extra smartphone lying around. Assuming you don’t feel like letting that pricey little gadget sit around collecting dust, here’s how to get the most moola for your outdated handset.
• Gazelle: Gazelle is one of the biggest names in smartphone trade-ins thanks to its rock-solid reputation for a rapid turnaround and sizable payouts. Right now you can score hundreds of dollars for an iPhone 6, assuming it’s in unblemished condition. Here’s how the figures break down, with the ultimate payout amount varying depending on storage amount and carrier.
iPhone 6 Plus: $270 (16GB, Sprint) — $395 (128GB, Unlocked)
iPhone 6: $235 (16GB, Sprint) — $370 (128GB, Unlocked)
iPhone 5S: $115 (16GB, Sprint/T-Mobile) — $185 (128GB, Unlocked)
iPhone 5: $60 (16GB, Sprint/T-Mobile) — $125 (64GB, Unlocked)
Trading your phone in with Gazelle is as simple as heading to the website, selecting your phone and condition, and then waiting for the prepaid box to arrive at your door. Once you send in your old phone, Gazelle emails a confirmation that your device was received and your check is on its way. Your price is locked in for 30 days from the time you request your trade-in, so you can secure the highest value today and send your old phone when the new iPhone launches on Sept. 25.
APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Hands on with Apple's Live Photos | 00:38 Jefferson Graham shows Apple's new Live Photos feature of the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus, which brings animation to still photos.
1 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple TV, iPhone 6s Among New Apple Hardware | 02:05 Apple has unveiled a host of new hardware from new iPhones and iPads and a long-awaited update to Apple TV. (Sept. 9) AP
2 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple event reaction - Graham and della Cava | 02:53 Jefferson Graham and Marco della Cava weigh in on the Apple event and offerings of new iPhones, iPads and a revamped Apple TV. Their take? Tune in. USA TODAY
3 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple unveils iPhone's latest and greatest updates | 02:23 Apple CEO Tim Cook unveiled the latest iPhone Wednesday that aims to keep the sales boom generated by the original iPhone 6 and 6 Plus going. VPC
4 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple introduces 'Smart Keyboard' and 'Pencil' | 02:07 Apple adds some new accessories to their latest iPad, with detachable keyboard and advanced stylus. APPLE
5 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple announces Siri-enabled Apple TV | 01:54 Apple's revamped Apple TV now has a Siri-enabled remote, a faster operating system and apps that allow users to watch on the go. VPC
6 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple iPad Pro: bigger, stronger, faster and smarter | 03:07 Apple's new larger iPad Pro boasts better picture, speed, graphics and sound. VPC
7 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple Watch gets face lift | 03:05 Apple adds new apps, capabilities and wrist band options to its Apple Watch. APPLE
8 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple introduces 'Smart Keyboard' and 'Pencil' | 02:07 Apple adds some new accessories to their latest iPad, with detachable keyboard and advanced stylus. VPC
9 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple tag-teams with Microsoft using 'Apple Pencil' | 01:48 Apple and Microsoft partner up to show the capabilities of the Apple Pencil and Microsoft suites applications. VPC
10 of 11 APPLE UNVEILS IPHONE 6S, IPAD PRO AND MORE Apple iPhone event: What to expect | 04:17 Sept. 9 -- Apple is expected to unveil the latest version of the iPhone at its annual event today in San Francisco. Bloomberg's Nate Lanxon reports on "Countdown." Bloomberg
11 of 11 Last Video Next Video Hands on with Apple's Live Photos Apple TV, iPhone 6s Among New Apple Hardware Apple event reaction - Graham and della Cava Apple unveils iPhone's latest and greatest updates Apple introduces 'Smart Keyboard' and 'Pencil' Apple announces Siri-enabled Apple TV Apple iPad Pro: bigger, stronger, faster and smarter Apple Watch gets face lift Apple introduces 'Smart Keyboard' and 'Pencil' Apple tag-teams with Microsoft using 'Apple Pencil' Apple iPhone event: What to expect • Nextworth: With a current top trade-in value of $395 for the 128GB iPhone 6 Plus, Nextworth meets Gazelle’s payout amount perfectly. Nextworth works with Target retail stores, so you can trade in your phone by mail or at a Target location, and your payout can be made in check, PayPal deposit or Target store credit, depending on your needs.
• uSell: Want the absolute top dollar for your device? USell often has the highest prices around, thanks to its network of certified buyers. However, the fact that many different professional buyers are seeking out used iPhones also means the price can change by the day, so you might have to check back frequently to get the biggest payout. At present, an iPhone 6 Plus will score you as much as $423.
USA TODAY
How Apple's new iPhone installment plan works
These are just a few of the services I’ve tried firsthand. Others, such as iCracked , ecoATM and Glyde , are worth a quick peek, too, if you have time to shop around.
Of the big guys, Amazon, eBay and Craigslist are still solid alternatives as well, though each comes with its own set of warnings.
• Amazon: This one is a no-brainer if you’re looking for the ultimate in credibility and high trade-in amounts. Amazon’s trade-in program pays big and allows you to lock in your price for as long as 45 days before having to actually part with your old phone, so you can score the huge payouts now — like $550 for an unlocked 125GB Gold iPhone 6 Plus — and worry about actually sending it in long after you’ve picked up your new 6S or 6S Plus. The downside is that Amazon takes an 8% commission on the sale and its Amazon Seller Central is a bit cumbersome to navigate compared with the other sites above.
New models of the iPhone 6S are seen displayed during an Apple media event. Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook stands on stage during a Special Event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen The new Apple iPad Pro is seen in three different finishes during a product display following an Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen New models of the iPhone 6S are seen displayed during an Apple media event. Josh Edelson, AFP/Getty Images Fullscreen People look over the new Apple iPhone 6S models during a product display following an Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen The new iPad Pro is seen with a Smart Keyboard during a product display following an Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen A man uses the new Apple Pencil on an iPad Pro after an Apple special event. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen The new Apple TV box is shown during a product display following the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook, right, looks at the new iPhone 6S with One Republic lead singer Ryan Tedder, in the demo room after the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen People try out Apple's new Apple Watch bands following Apple's announcement of new products. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Journalists photograph Apple's new 6S and 6S Plus iPhones following Apple's announcement of new products. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Apple's new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus phones are on display following Apple's announcement of new products. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Apple's new Apple TV box and remote are on display following Apple's announcement of new products. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Two Apple Watches with the new Hermes leather bands are displayed in the demo area after an Apple special event. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus on display during Apple's event. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen The iPhone 6S on display during Apple's event. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook wraps up the latest Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook waves to the audience as One Republic wraps up there performance at the end of the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen The band One Republic perform at the end of the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Ryan Tedder of the group One Republic performs during the Apple launch event. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook speaks at the end of an Apple launch event. Monica Davey, European PressPhoto Agency Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Software Engineering Craig Federighi speaks about 3D Touch during the Apple event. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features and color finishes of the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features of the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Rose Gold is a new finish color option available for the iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, talks about the features of the new iPhone 6S and iPhone 6S Plus. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPhone 6S and 6S Plus during a Special Event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium September 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen The new Apple iPhone 6S is seen on stage during the Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California on September 9, 2015. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook discusses the Apple TV product at the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the New Apple TV. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook talks about the addition of Apple apps to the new Apple TV. MONICA DAVEY, EPA Fullscreen Chad Evans with MLB.com, discusses how apps like his will be made available on the Apple TV. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Michelle Peluso with Gilt, discusses how apps like hers will be made available on the Apple TV. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Jon Carter with Harmonix discusses how apps like his will be made available on the Apple TV. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue talks about the new Apple TV remote. Monica Davey, EPA Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Internet Software and Services Eddy Cue speaks about the new Apple TV. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Eddy Cue, senior vice president of Internet Software, discusses the Apple TV product during the Apple event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen The new remote for the announced latest version of the AppleTV is seen on stage during the Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California on September 9, 2015. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad Pro during an Apple launch event. Monica Davey, EPA Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about the prices for iPads. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about the prices for iPad Pro on stage during a Special Event at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium September 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, discusses the features of the new iPad Pro. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of Worldwide Marketing Phil Schiller speaks about the Apple Pencil and the Smart Keyboard prices for iPad Pro. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen An Apple Pencil is displayed on the screen during the Apple announcement. The accessory provides a new input device for the newly announced iPad Pro. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing, introduces a keyboard case for the new iPad Pro. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing reviews the screen resolution of the new iPad Pro. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple Senior Vice President of worldwide marketing Phil Schiller reviews the technical features of the iPad Pro. MONICA DAVEY, EPA Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing reviews the CPU performance of the new iPad Pro. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Microsoft's Kirk Koenigsbauer discusses the Microsoft Office app during the Apple event. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Phil Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of worldwide marketing reviews the technical specifications of the new iPad Pro including the 12.9" screen size - the largest in the iPad product line. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen The new iPad Pro's screen is the biggest of the iPad lineup at 12.9" MONICA DAVEY, EPA Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook introduces the new iPad Pro. Monica Davey, EPA Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook opens the Apple event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2015 with an announcement of Apple Watch software updates and several new watch styles including special editions from Hermes. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple Senior VP of Operations Jeff Williams announces a news series of Apple Watch styles from Hermes at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, on September 9, 2015. MONICA DAVEY, EPA Fullscreen Jeff Williams, Apple SVP of operations introduces several new Apple Watches including the Apple Watch RED edition. Apple Fullscreen The audience at the Apple event. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen The audience at the Apple event. Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook waves as he takes the stage at the start of an Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Apple CEO Tim Cook takes the stage at the start of an Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY Fullscreen Journalists wait in line to attend an Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California, on September 9, 2015. Monica Davey, EPA Fullscreen Event staff look at a computer in front of an Apple logo outside Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on September 9, 2015 in San Francisco, California. Stephen Lam, Getty Images Fullscreen A man takes a photo as journalists wait in line to attend an Apple launch event at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco, California on September 9, 2015. MONICA DAVEY, EPA Fullscreen A crew works outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium as preparations continue for the Apple new product announcements in San Francisco. Along with new iPhones, the iconic tech company is expected to show off a new Apple TV system and a bigger role in the home for Siri, its voice-activated digital assistant. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Apple's invite to the September 9 event. Apple Fullscreen The exterior of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium as preparations continue inside for the Apple product announcement in San Francisco. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen An officer stands watch outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium as preparations continue for the Apple new product announcements in San Francisco. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen A crew works outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium. Eric Risberg, AP Fullscreen Like this topic? You may also like these photo galleries: Replay Autoplay Show Thumbnails Show Captions Last Slide Next Slide • eBay: Similar to Amazon, this is another giant player in the online buy-and-sell arena, but there are some risks here that you don’t get with a few of the other sites. Beware of scammers pretending to offer up big deals, then “pay” by sending a phishing PayPal email. This is usually followed up with a request that the phone be shipped to Nigeria or some other really far-off place. While eBay says fraud is at an all-time low, this has happened to me twice recently. Also note, eBay takes 10% of the sale. Still, if you’re an eBay alum, this can be as simple and pain-free as it gets. With these sites, time is of the essence, because once the new phones hit the street, the prices go down a bit.
• Craigslist: There are people who swear by good, old-fashioned Craigslist. I’m not one of them ... for the simple reason that it takes too much of my time and energy for the few extra dollars you can score. If you do go this route, be sure to allow initial responses only via email. Fraudsters tend to avoid the email online paper trail here. As soon as someone makes an offer, ask them for a link to a Facebook or LinkedIn profile as a backup to show that you’re dealing with someone who’s legit. And we say it every year, but meet them in a public place, such as outside an Apple store, where staff can authenticate the device and help with any transfer questions.
USA TODAY
New iPhones: Is Apple playing catch-up on innovation?
• Best Buy: Best Buy and several other big-box stores have trade-in programs, but they pay you only in electronic gift cards to use in-store. Still, it’s a decent option if you’re loyal to one particular store. Right now, the 5S will fetch you $201, while the 6 will get you up to $420. The 6 Plus goes for as much as $465.
• Your Wireless Carrier: As an absolute last resort, you can oftentimes get some quick cash from your carrier itself. The rates of these trade-in programs vary greatly, and depending on the company, they can change rapidly. It’s particularly rare for a carrier to beat one of the other popular trade-in companies in terms of overall payout, so you shouldn’t bet on it. Put simply, your carrier should be your absolute last-ditch option when it comes to getting cash for your old smartphone .
Last, but not least, don’t forget to wipe your phone clean of all of your personal information, photos, contacts and other important cyber-life before you send it off to its next owner. This will help prevent any nasty identify theft or scam scenarios from biting you down the road, so don’t skip it! Thankfully, Apple makes this pretty easy to do:
Head to the Settings menu Tap “General” and then tap “Reset” Select “Erase all content and settings” Your iPhone will now erase itself and prepare for a new owner, so give it one last kiss goodbye, buy it a Starbucks coffee for the trip, and send it off into the sunset. Don’t worry, your shiny new iPhone 6S is waiting, and boy is she a beauty!
Jennifer Jolly is a consumer tech columnist. You can follow her at @jenniferjolly.
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