Your old phones may be worth more than you think through Google Store trade-in

The Pixel 11 lineup isn't cheap, but you can soften the blow with some surprisingly generous trade-in values.

Google's Pixel 11 devices have officially arrived, and the entire lineup comes at quite the cost. The base Pixel 11 begins at $899, going all the way up to a starting cost of $1,900 for the Pixel 11 Pro Fold . If you're looking to upgrade, you might be able to save more money than you'd think by trading in your current phone — or even an older model that's collecting dust — with Google.

The rates at many retailers (like those featured in Best Buy or Apple's trade-in programs ) can be a bit disappointing, particularly if you're looking to unload an older model. For example, consider a 128GB Pixel 9 Pro XL, which retailed for $1,099 when it launched in 2024. Currently, it will only net you up to $255 with Apple, $310 with Amazon or $300 at Best Buy. If you trade it in with Google's program, though, you could get several hundred more for the same phone, and this trend applies to many other models.

As with all trade-ins, the value of your old phone will depend on its quality. Google's values may also vary slightly depending upon which Pixel 11 model you're looking to purchase. Surprisingly, Google will accept models as old as the original Pixel ($100), Galaxy S10 ($30), and iPhone 6s Plus ($30) for trade-in.

Slightly more recent devices are worth more than you might expect. With the base storage, the Pixel 4a and Galaxy S20 are each worth $150, while the iPhone 11 is worth $200. And for newer models, you'll see a much bigger return, like $600 for a Pixel 10 Pro, $700 for the Galaxy S26 Ultra and $550 for the iPhone 17.

Even though Google tends to have the best Pixel trade-in deals, it's worth double-checking other retailers before you reach a final decision. Best Buy's trade-in rates are typically lower, but it also throws in a gift card (up to $350 for the Pro Fold) when you purchase a device in the Pixel line. Similarly, Amazon is offering bundles that come with either a gift card or a discounted Pixel Watch 5. If you already do a lot of shopping at those stores, they could be a better route for you.

Trading in your old device with Google is simple, involving just a few extra steps alongside the purchase of your new Pixel phone:

Go to the Google Store and select the Pixel phone you want. Check our Pixel 11 and Pixel 11 Pro reviews if you need help deciding!