In a move that seems decidedly un Apple-like, starting this week the Cupertino based tech titan will start ignoring the liquid damage indicator when determining the value of an Apple iPhone for a trade-in. This bit of news comes from anonymous employees who work for Apple's retail division, which means it remains speculation. Before this alleged change, had a trade-in showed water or other liquid damage based on the indicator, the phone would have been considered absolutely worthless as a trade.
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Apple still won't let a waterlogged phone be included as a part of a trade-in. While phones that have had their indicator tripped by a small amount of humidity or moisture will be valued as part of a trade, evidence of water in the phone's display, or corrosion in the ports will automatically give the phone no trade-in value. Still, this is an improvement from August when Apple started the program in the U.S.and U.K.
The new looser restrictions against water-damaged handsets will apply to Apple iPhone units involved in trades in the U.S. and U.K.
Apple will no-longer consider the liquid damage indicator when valuing a trade-in
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Alan, an ardent smartphone enthusiast and a veteran writer at PhoneArena since 2009, has witnessed and chronicled the transformative years of mobile technology. Owning iconic phones from the original iPhone to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, he has seen smartphones evolve into a global phenomenon. Beyond smartphones, Alan has covered the emergence of tablets, smartwatches, and smart speakers.
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