How do I trade in my iPhone 13 mini and choose a budget-friendly upgrade?

About the only difference between an iPhone 13 mini and an iPhone 13 with the same amount of storage is the size of the screen: 5.4" vs. 6.1"; and the increased size and weight that goes along with the bigger screen.

Compare iPhone models – iPhone 13 vs. iPhone 13 mini vs. iPhone 14

Apple does not sell new iPhone 13-series or 14-series phones any more – at least not in the U.S. – and so I believe that the only way to use trade-in credit towards an iPhone 13 or 14 would be to buy an Apple Certified Refurbished one from the online Apple Store.

Apple Trade In - Apple

What to do before you sell, give away, or trade in your iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Refurbished iPhone Deals - Apple

Use Quick Start to transfer data to a new iPhone or iPad - Apple Support

Apple currently offers "up to $200" in trade-in credit for an iPhone 13 mini.

A Certified Refurbished iPhone 13 with 128 GB of storage goes for $449. One with 256 GB, for $529.

So you would be paying a lot of money just to upgrade the size of the screen, and nothing else.

lobsterghost1 wrote:

I don't believe Apple will let you trade in a phone for a refurbished phone, which is the only way you can buy a 13 or 14 from Apple at this point.

I don't think they would do it in one transaction.

"With Apple Trade In, you can get a great value for your current device and apply it toward a new one."

They might do it in two independent ones (trade old phone for gift card, use gift card balance when paying for a phone from the Certified Refurbished section of the online Apple Store).

"What if I’m not ready to buy something? 

No problem. We can put the value of your current device on a gift card that you can use anytime. Get an estimate through the trade-in tool and choose the Apple Gift Card option."

This has some drawbacks and risks:

• The selection in the Certified Refurbished section of the store is "catch of the day" and the OP might trade in the old phone for a gift card, only to find that the phone he/she wanted to buy is no longer available.
• The OP wouldn't be able to use Quick Start to set up the new phone, but instead would need to migrate data using iCloud backups and data synchronized to iCloud. (Quick Start requires possessing both phones at the same time.)

I wouldn't advise it, even if these complications were not involved. It seems like the OP is going to be spending a lot of money for very little incremental gain. Better to save that money, wait, and then jump up to a newer phone.

If you want to trade in your 13 Mini, you won't be able to trade it for an iPhone 13 or 14. Neither are currently sold by Apple as both are discontinued. You can trade it for an iPhone 15 or any iPhone 16 model.

I don't believe Apple will let you trade in a phone for a refurbished phone, which is the only way you can buy a 13 or 14 from Apple at this point.

Personally I recommend taking the device to the nearest Apple Store for trade-in where you will get an on the spot value for your phone. When sending it in, you must describe physical condition and is subjective where the value may be lowered after they have been able to evaluate it. Taking it to the Apple Store avoids these surprises and unnecessary delays. I understand not everyone has the benefit of having a store close by, but depending on the distance it may be worth it.

If you are looking for an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, those are discontinued models, but you may be able to find refurbished models on the Apple website. Also the iPhone 16e was recently launched with a price of $599 that is not much more than what you would find with one of those refurbished models.

The iPhone 14 is almost the same as an iPhone 13, except that

• The U.S. version does not have a physical SIM slot. It takes eSIMs only.
• There is support for emergency communications via satellite (certain countries and areas only)

The processor (A15 Bionic) is the same as in the iPhone 13 and 13 mini, but according to MacTracker, the iPhone 14 has a bit more RAM (6 GB instead of 4 GB).. Even with 6 GB, it does not qualify to run Apple Intelligence.

I agree that going from an iPhone 13 Mini to an iPhone 13 or even 14, wouldn't be a wise investment. And that is further complicated by wanting an iPhone which is discontinued. But you are correct, they could trade in their 13 mini and get a gift card. Then use the gift card toward a new phone or even refurbished phone. But they'll be without a phone for a while as no Apple Store carries refurbished phones in-store, so they would have to hope to find the model they want in the online refurb store and order it, which will be shipped to them.

Nothing in this scenario is advisable, to be honest.