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iOS 27 adds Visual Intelligence bill splitting and Wallet pass scanningOne UI 9's Call Brief now shows the other party's local time during international callsFDA Grants Emergency Authorization for Mitochondrial Transplant in Billionaire Ackman's DaughterGoogle Store Trade-In Credits Beat Rivals for Older Phones, Engadget SaysLabor Day Tech Deals: Dell XPS 13 from $599, Gaming Laptops Up to $800 Off, Geekom A5 Mini PC at $419Security leaders told: test cyber confidence, stop buying isolated tools
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Google Store Trade-In Credits Beat Rivals for Older Phones, Engadget Says

Trading in an older phone toward a Pixel 11 can be worth far more at Google than at other retailers, Engadget reports.

AI News Feed · 2026-09-08 02:37

Engadget reports that many retailers' trade-in rates are less generous, especially for older phones. It cites the 128GB Pixel 9 Pro XL, which launched at $1,099 in 2024: Apple currently offers up to $255, Amazon up to $310 and Best Buy up to $300 for it, while Google's program can return several hundred dollars more. The same pattern applies to many other models.

Trade-in values depend on the device's condition and vary slightly depending on which Pixel 11 model is being purchased. Engadget says Google will accept phones as old as the original Pixel at $100 and the Galaxy S10 and iPhone 6s Plus at $30 each. The Pixel 4a and Galaxy S20 are each valued at $150, and the iPhone 11 at $200. Newer devices are worth far more: $600 for a Pixel 10 Pro, $700 for a Galaxy S26 Ultra and $550 for an iPhone 17.

Although Google tends to offer the best Pixel trade-in values, Engadget says it is worth comparing other retailers before deciding. Best Buy's rates are usually lower, but Best Buy adds a gift card of up to $350 toward the Pixel 11 Pro Fold when buying a Pixel-line device. Amazon is bundling either a gift card or a discounted Pixel Watch 5 with purchases, which may suit frequent customers.

According to Engadget, the trade-in process on Google Store begins when a customer chooses a phone, color, storage and carrier, then selects 'Get estimate' under the trade-in section. After entering the make, model and storage of the old phone and confirming whether it is in good condition, the customer adds the trade-in and checks out normally. Google sends a prepaid shipping kit; the old phone must be backed up, factory reset and freed of locks or passwords before being shipped. There is no shipping cost.

Google also warns about a key choice at checkout. Checking 'Accept the new value if it changes after inspection' allows the company to adjust the credit if the device does not match the online description. Leaving it unchecked means Google will return the device with no trade-in credit if it does not match. Some customers, based on criteria Google does not specify, receive an instant trade-in discount on the order; others receive the credit as a refund to their payment method after Google receives and accepts the device.