You’ll be using iOS in landscape mode in no time

Sep 27, 2014 07:54 GMT  ·  By

Don’t worry, you haven’t accessed one of those “free-iPhone” scams that ask for your phone number and send you to a looping survey that eventually lands you nothing but an inflated bill from your operator. You can actually get an iPhone 6 for free. Here’s how to do it.

All you need to do is part with your existing model. For years, companies like Gazelle, Amazon, and even Apple themselves have been offering ways to trade in your current device, get a decent quote, and use that cash towards the purchase of a newer model. As long as you’re already planning to extend your carrier contract, this method ensures that you’re essentially getting a free upgrade to the iPhone 6.

Trade in with Apple

By far the most reliable way to do it is at Apple. They may not offer the highest credits for your pristine iPhone 5s, but it’s enough to land you a free iPhone 6. If you happen to be wielding a 32GB or a 64GB model, you’ll get at least $200 / €200 for it. The highest they go is about $300, and that’s actually enough to get the iPhone 6 plus.

Remember, these are on-contract prices, meaning you’ll have to extend your current plan with AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, or whatever carrier you may be on.

Amazon has the best price in town

American online retailer Amazon offers as much as $400 (around €315) for a good working iPhone 5s. If your storage capacity is less than 64GB, the prices run accordingly, which means you should expect less.

Obviously, they want you to make your next purchase with them, so your money arrives in the form of credits that you can use towards the purchase of an iPhone 6. Like with Apple, it’s more than enough to nab you a free upgrade. You’ll even have some leftover cash to buy a fancy case.

Gazelle can hold its own

Gazelle is a veteran in the business. These people will take any iDevice off your hands, even one as old as the iPhone 4. Just don’t expect to swap that one for a free iPhone 6. The 2010 handset has lost its value dramatically, but apparently you can still squeeze a few bucks out of it.

As far as the newer models are concerned, Gazelle offers similarly attractive prices. A 64GB iPhone 5s in pristine condition will net you well over $300 (€236), enough to enable you to buy the 5.5-inch iPhone 6 Plus.