If you’re already an iPhone owner and looking to upgrade to either an iPhone 5c or 5s, you’re probably wondering how you can get a hold of the device as cheaply as possible, right?  But unfortunately, Apple doesn’t seem to be too keen on giving away any discounts just yet, which means that the best bet is to trade-in your old iPhone for a new one.  By trading your old device, this would mean you won’t have to lay out all of the asking price, as the trade-in price could possibly cover the 2-year contract plan of some carriers.  So where’s the best trade-in place to take your old iPhone?

Where to go for trade-ins

The Apple Store

Some Apple retail stores already have trade-in programs in play, though the company is keeping it hush-hush for now.  No news yet as to how much Apple will give you for your working, in good condition, 16GB iPhone 5, but there were reports that the highest price Apple can payout is $280.  Of course, no one has actually confirmed, and so the only way to find out for sure is to go ahead and trade your device in.  Any money that is recieved goes directly to into a gift card, which can only be used to purchase a new iPhone.  So if you walk into an Apple Store, you either come out still holding your old iPhone, or you’ll be the proud owner of Apple’s shiniest new model.

Gazelle

The price of a 16GB iPhone 5, whether it’s black or white, depends on the condition of your device as well as your network carrier.  If you’re phone is working and is in good condition, you can get an average of $310 if you’re on AT&T, $200 on Sprint, $310 on Verizon, and $315 on T-Mobile.  The price goes a bit higher, $10-$20 more, if it’s in pristine condition and lower if the iPhone 5 is in very bad condition – $100 if it’s not working or has a cracked screen, missing buttons, charging port is damaged and so forth.

Walmart

Same as Gazelle, the price of the 16GB iPhone 5 depends on the carrier and the condition of your device.  If you’re on AT&T you can get up to $315, $250 on Sprint, $300 on Verizon, and $315 on T-Mobile.  If it’s not working, you get $80 on AT&T, $70 on Sprint, $75 on Verizon, and $80 for T-Mobile.

Best Buy

If you’re with AT&T, your 16GB iPhone 5 is valued at $330 if it’s in good condition, $300 if you’re on Sprint, Verizon and T-Mobile.  If it’s in perfect condition, the value goes up by $15-$16, if it’s in poor condition the price is halved, and if the device is broken, it’s not even worth a dime.

Target

If your 16GB iPhone 5 powers on, is fully functional and doesn’t have a cracked screen, it is worth $315 if you’re on AT&T, $235 if you’re with Sprint, $320 if on Verizon, and $325 if you’re on T-Mobile.  If it powers on, is fully functional but the screen’s cracked, expect the value to go down by almost half.  If it’s not working but the screen is not cracked, Target values your devices at $150 a pop, but if it’s totally broken, as in not turning on and screen is cracked, you’d still get about $66-$90 depending on your carrier.

Summary

Though Apple may seem the logical choice when you want to trade-in your old device, reports suggest that the company actually offers the worst possible deal.  Your best bet is to try one of the other stores that operate trade-in programs.

If you’re on AT&T, the smartest choice is to go to Best Buy as it offers $330 for a 16GB iPhone 5 in good condition.  Same goes if you’re on Sprint.  However, Target is the best bet if you’re using Verizon or T-Mobile.  Meanwhile, for those whose device is busted, the best bet is to trade it in at Gazelle, Walmart, or Target, since Best Buy refuses to accept totally broken devices.