Apple

“up to”

some carriers do have deals like that but usually you have to commit to a higher tier service plan for X years where they make up the cost. it’s just a new form of carrier-subsidized phones from the 00s and early 10s.

for example, this is from verizon last year:

https://www.verizon.com/about/news/apple-iphone-16-pro-verizon-deals

Guaranteed trade in: New and existing Verizon customers can trade in any phone, in any condition and get iPhone 16 Pro on us, or up to $1,000 off the new iPhone 16 lineup with Unlimited Ultimate. If you choose our Unlimited Plus or Unlimited Welcome plans, you can get $830 off or up to $415 off the new iPhone 16 lineup with trade-in, respectively ^3^.

3 $999.99 purchase w/new or upgrade smartphone line on Unlimited Ultimate plan (min. $90/mo w/Auto Pay (+taxes/fees) for 36 mos) req’d. Less $1,000 trade-in/promo credit applied over 36 mos.; promo credit ends if eligibility req’s are no longer met; 0% APR.

so they give you a bigger discount if you go with the more expensive plans, and you have to commit to 3 years. if you want to opt out you have to pay back what you saved.

“Up to”

Means it requires the 13 to still be shrink-wrapped and to have been purchased less than 30 minutes ago at that same store.

Sure did.

That means a 1TB iPhone 16 Pro Max is worth $1100 in trade. As you go down to that, down to the iPhone 13 Mini, it's lower. They don't say how low the entry level model goes.

They never said the base/Mini iPhone 13 would be $1100. They said "up to" which means that's what they offer for the best one.

According to the Apple Store app; if I trade in my 14 Pro Max 256gb they’ll give me $500 off. So if you imagine a newer phone plus higher storage it’s highly feasible this isn’t a mistake.

Edit to add context that my phone is in great condition

I think this is just worded poorly. What they meant is that you can trade in an iPhone 13 Pro or newer, and when you trade in an iPhone, you can get up to $1100. That doesn't mean you'll get $1100 for an iPhone 13 Pro, just that you can get $1100 for probably a 16 Pro, but 13 Pro owners still get something instead of nothing.

It's just carrier deals. As long as they can lock you into 3 years of bills for it, they'll happily pay for the phone up front.

Just checked and my 14 Pro was only going to net me $320. 🤷‍♂️

“Up to” indeed!

Up to, Apple doesn’t give a fuck about you. Stop letting them fuck with you.