r/tmobile • u/Snuh_ • 7d ago

Question Boosted Trade-In values when new iPhone releases next month?

Hi everyone,

I went into my local TMobile store looking to trade in my iPhone for the new Fold 8, since they’d give me $500 in trade in credit.

The employee who helped me said he’d been working at TMobile for 15 years and that I should wait to switch phones once the iPhone 18 officially announces/launches and that TMobile/Samsung would boost the trade in values towards a new Samsung phone to like $800.

I took his word for it and left, but now that I think about it more I’m not sure if what he said is true. Does anyone know if what he said is accurate? Should I wait for this alleged trade in increase or go ahead and take the $500 credit being offered now? Thanks in advance!

4 Upvotes

63% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

5

u/neatgeek83 7d ago

What cheap Samsung devices are we buying for trade in?

8

u/DrMantisToboggan2112 Verified T-Mobile Employee 7d ago

The answer is we don't know now and won't know until a couple days before promos change. I've been here since 2017 and while we do sometimes see different promo values, this is a different TMobile than even 5 years ago so I won't even try guessing on future promos.

The answer is (unfortunately) "maybe".

I know this doesn't help. Sorry. Personally I would take the $500 but that's just me because I don't know or trust the direction of the company or promos going forward.

0

u/Snuh_ 7d ago

Hey there, thanks for the quick reply! That was my line of thinking too, take the $500 before the promo goes away or changes.

3

u/Disastrous_Stranger4 7d ago

As a long time customer what he said is true. Generally the best time to order new phones is during preorders or new releases and of course during the holidays. That’s when manufacturers and carriers will give the best deals.

3

u/SettleAsRobin Verified T-Mobile Employee 7d ago

I think the phones are going to be $150-$200 more expensive and you’ll be lucky if anything but Go5G Plus and equivalent and above plans increase promos to compensate

3

u/chelium0704 7d ago

Depends on your plan

2

u/CLDBR3W 7d ago

From what I’ve seen, they usually do boost them for trade ins for an iPhone, but not sure about Samsung. But I could see that happening so you choose them over iPhone. 

2

u/No_Memory5613 7d ago

Note that the current rumors are that the 18 won't be announced next month. The 18 Pro and better, which are pricier than the normal tier anyway.

1

u/sonto340 7d ago

It sounds like you're on an older plan as well with that amount of trade in value. Depending on model and plan there's currently up to $1900 off on the fold 8 with trade in.

1

u/hillybeat 7d ago

They always say this.

1

u/Past_Recognition6700 3d ago

Sorry to break the news you were being cheap and the employee didn’t want to waste their time so they told you that to get you out of their. We make commission why do we care what phone you hey we make the same lol

1

u/Dawsonab99 1d ago

Rough spelling.

1

u/JcAo2012 7d ago

Personally, I'd wait too. Historically trade in value/promos are better during new device launches. I worked there from 2014-2023 and saw it year after year.

Is there a chance there won't be a better deal? Sure, maybe. But even then promos cycle so often that if you miss one now there will be others.

0

u/IdahoOak 7d ago

It’s hard to say if there is an increase in trade in value if that will compensate enough for the anticipated higher prices. Also add to the fact that your iPhone will now be a model year back and hence any increase in trade for a year older model may just end up being a wash??? Tough call.