The scam involves trading in your old iPhone 13 for a high price in exchange for an iPhone 17.

The iPhone 13 Pro Max has inadvertently become the best used phone. Photo: The Verge .

Recently, TikTok's algorithm suggested several videos claiming that Apple would trade in the iPhone 13 Pro Max for up to $1,100 (nearly 30 million VND), more than the newly released iPhone 17. These videos garnered over 7 million views, but are no different from other exaggerated conspiracy theories on the same platform.

This inadvertently led many to believe that the iPhone 13 Pro Max was the best model, and that Apple was eager to recall them. While the phone was highly praised upon its release, from its camera quality to its battery life, such a high trade-in value for a four-year-old device is unreasonable.

The event seemed to begin with the iPhone 17 launch, when Apple's marketing director, Greg Joswiak, announced the pricing for the new models and trade-in offers. “We also have great deals from Apple and our partners. You can get up to $1,100 off when trading in your iPhone 13 Pro or newer models,” he said.

TikTok videos have cut to the exact moment from this announcement as proof. The problem is, Joswiak said almost the exact same thing last year with the iPhone 12 Pro, and the year before that with the iPhone 11 Pro.

The teaser was used by TikTokers as proof of the iPhone 13 Pro Max offer. Photo: Apple.

It's worth noting that no one in the comments owning a 13 Pro Max has received this cashback from Apple. In fact, if you trade in a 13 Pro Max for an iPhone 17, you only get a maximum of $320 back on your old phone directly from the Apple Store. Meanwhile, those trading in a 16 Pro Max only get a $700 discount.

The $1,100 discount actually comes from carriers, as usual. Customers can get up to that amount if they sign up for one of the newest and most expensive plans. Those trading in their iPhone 12 Pro still get a discount, but it's not enough to cover the full cost of a new 17 Pro.

According to The Verge , carriers chose the 13 Pro Max this year because they thought it offered more value for money, not because it's an exceptionally outstanding phone. The spread of this content is partly due to the popularity of conspiracy theories among TikTok creators, aimed at attracting viewers.

However, many users expressed disappointment after seeing offers that included the phrase "up to." Some said they would keep their current phone if they were still satisfied with it, regardless of how attractive the offer was.

Source: https://znews.vn/tro-lua-thu-cu-iphone-13-gia-cao-de-doi-iphone-17-post1587887.html