Trade-in value for iPhones will no longer be affected by the device’s liquid damage indicator, say Apple Retail employees. In the past, a triggered “liquid contact indicator” meant the device was completely worthless under Apple’s “Reuse and Recycle” program.
This week’s changes to the program, however, will allow more customers to trade in their devices. However, the company isn’t going to start allowing seriously water-damaged phones for trade-in anytime soon. If there is evidence of liquid under the phone’s display or corrosion in the ports, the phone will still be ineligible for any trade-in value regardless of what the liquid contact indicator looks like.
This change in policy only affects trade-ins made at an Apple Store, it does not affect online trade-in values.
These changes take effect in both the United States and the United Kingdom.
