Phone Trade-In Schemes UK: Apple, Samsung, Google and Currys Compared

A trade-in combines two transactions: buying a new phone and disposing of the old one. Marketing often subtracts an estimated value from the new-phone price before the old device has been inspected. A reliable comparison separates new-phone discount, base trade-in value, promotional bonus, payment form, deadline and downside if the condition is disputed.

Apple vs Samsung vs Google vs Currys trade-in

No route wins for every buyer. Apple is straightforward for someone staying in its ecosystem and values can be used without a new purchase through a gift card. Samsung's instant discount can reduce checkout cost, but ties the old-device obligation directly to the new order. Google integrates tightly with a Pixel purchase. Currys is useful when the buyer wants to value a phone independently of one manufacturer.

Our Samsung Store UK review, Currys review and John Lewis mobile phones review examine the retailers around the trade-in itself. This article focuses on the transfer of the old device.

A dated value snapshot—and why it is not a quote for your phone

Apple's current UK public table displayed the following maximum estimates on 17 August 2026:

Dated evidence: official Apple UK public values and official Apple, Samsung, Google and Currys terms checked 24 August 2026. Apple’s displayed examples remained £585, £575, £445 and £440. Most exact valuations sit inside interactive tools and depend on personal device details; do not treat an “up to” figure as guaranteed cash.

Samsung, Google and Currys require the user to identify the specific old device and answer condition questions before showing a useful personalised figure. That is better evidence than a generic maximum, but it also means an article cannot publish one honest universal price. Record the result for one exact phone, storage, network status and condition at the same time in every tool.

Do not compare a Samsung promotional guaranteed value with Apple's ordinary base estimate without separating the bonus. Samsung's current Price Promise applies only to named new Galaxy launches, a qualifying old Galaxy and selected competitor quotes; its page requires a claim within three days and excludes extra bonuses or voucher codes from the competitor comparison. Promotions change more quickly than the underlying programme.

Currys was also advertising an enhanced Pixel 11-series trade-in offer through 2 September 2026: £100 for Pixel 11, £200 for Pixel 11 Pro, or £300 for Pixel 11 Pro XL/Fold on top of an eligible working handset’s trade-in value. The retailer’s example used a working Pixel 9 Pro XL worth £600. Those figures are campaign-specific, not a permanent valuation; online trade-in is paid by BACS while the store route uses a Currys gift card.

How each scheme handles the money

Apple: purchase credit or Gift Card

Apple allows an eligible device to be applied towards a new purchase or exchanged for an Apple Gift Card. For an online device purchase paid in full, Apple describes applying the confirmed credit to the original payment method up to the new-product price. Excess value becomes an Apple Gift Card. Flexible Finance treatment is different: the instant credit lowers finance, and a reduced inspection value can add the difference back to the balance.

Samsung: instant discount or account credit

Samsung offers an instant discount when a new Galaxy is purchased or Samsung Credit for later spending. The immediate saving is attractive, but it is conditional on sending the device and matching the description. Samsung states that failure to send, or a condition mismatch, can require repayment; its trade-in page also warns that a new device may be remotely disabled in the instant-discount route.

Google: refund, store credit or eligible instant credit

Google's UK programme is provided by PCS Wireless UK. The terms describe credit to the original payment method, with excess above the new Google-device price issued as Google Store credit. Returning the new Google device or an unavailable original refund route can also turn the trade-in value into store credit. Some orders qualify for instant checkout credit.

Currys: online payment or in-store gift card

Currys describes online collection or free postage, inspection and payment after approval. Its in-store route produces a gift card. That distinction matters: £200 into a bank account is more flexible than £210 restricted to one retailer. Compare spendable value, not only the larger number.

Condition questions that move the valuation

Clean is not the same as eligible. A phone can look presentable but fail because it does not power on, has an account lock, is reported lost, contains a swollen battery or does not match the declared model. Answer literally and take dated photographs of all sides, display, ports and identifier screen before packing.

Apple says its vendor may revise the quote when inspection differs from the description, Find My is still active or the trade-in arrives late. It contacts the customer to accept or decline a revised value. Google excludes counterfeit, lost/stolen, locked, non-powering and non-reset devices; battery swelling creates a safety issue and the phone may not be returned. Currys says it will not accept a phone that fails to power on, has missing parts, a swollen battery or liquid damage, is over seven years old, or is modified, jailbroken or rooted.

Samsung accepts a wider range during some promotions, including cracked devices, but the selected condition still controls the offer. Read the exact order confirmation because Samsung's main trade-in page references sending within 14 days while its current FAQ also says seven days after the return pack arrives. Use the shorter deadline unless written instructions for the actual order say otherwise.

If the old phone is not eligible, compare responsible recycling with keeping it as an offline backup. Our refurbished versus new phones guide explains why battery, support and condition evidence matter to the next owner.

Inspection disputes: prepare evidence before posting

1. Save the quote. Screenshot model, capacity, condition answers, value and expiry.
2. Record identity. Photograph the serial/IMEI screen, but keep those images private.
3. Record condition. Capture display lit, cameras, back, edges and charging port.
4. Record function. A short private video can show boot, touch and charging.
5. Use tracked packaging. Keep postage receipt and tracking.
6. Save the new-phone invoice. Promotional bonuses can depend on qualifying dates and SKU.

Evidence does not guarantee the original estimate, but it makes a factual dispute easier. Do not post IMEI numbers, serials or proof-of-purchase publicly. If a revised offer arrives, compare it with the right to reject stated in that programme's terms and the likely value of having the device returned.

Back up, transfer, remove locks and erase

The scheme's later data-erasure process is not a substitute for the owner's preparation. The UK National Cyber Security Centre advises backing up what is needed and following manufacturer guidance before selling or passing on a device.

1. Complete the replacement-phone transfer and verify photos, messages, authenticator apps and eSIM.
2. Move banking and authentication access deliberately; keep recovery codes.
3. Unpair watches and accessories where required.
4. Sign out and remove activation locks such as Find My or Factory Reset Protection.
5. Remove physical SIM and memory card.
6. Factory-reset using current manufacturer instructions.
7. Confirm the setup screen appears and no personal account remains.

Do not erase the old phone before the new one has been inspected and essential accounts work. Conversely, do not hand over a signed-in device because a shop says it will wipe it later. Apple expressly places backup and deletion responsibility on the owner; Google can reject locked devices.

Trade-in, private sale or keeping the phone?

Calculate net cost: new phone's real checkout price minus confirmed trade-in value, plus accessories, finance interest and any cost of losing a working backup. Use our total-cost method. If the replacement needs more storage, read 128GB versus 256GB before letting a trade-in promotion upsell the wrong configuration.

A same-day comparison method

1. Choose the exact new phone and its ordinary price before trade-in.
2. Describe one old device identically in every eligible calculator.
3. Separate base value, guaranteed minimum, bonus and new-phone discount.
4. Record payment form and when it becomes final.
5. Read the inspection, reduced-offer and return rules.
6. Choose the route with the best risk-adjusted value, then save the evidence.

Compare the new handset independently using our SIM-free phone guide. Check operating-system fit, support, storage, repair and the normal SIM-free price before applying trade-in. A generous old-phone offer does not rescue an overpriced or unsuitable replacement.

Our verdict

There is no permanent best UK phone trade-in scheme because values and bonuses are transactional. Apple is clear and convenient for an Apple purchase or Gift Card. Samsung can make a new Galaxy cheaper immediately but creates a strong obligation to send a matching device. Google integrates trade-in with Pixel checkout and has specific refund/store-credit rules. Currys offers a useful independent route with online and store payment differences.

Get all quotes on the same day, compare spendable value, use the shorter deadline and preserve evidence. Never count an “up to” figure as money already received. For more retailer comparisons, see Argos versus John Lewis for SIM-free phones, Tech & Audio and our UK shop directory.