Microsoft Might Pay $350 For Your Apple iPhone Or iPad

How much are used Apple AAPL devices worth to Microsoft MSFT? The Windows maker has launched a new buyback program with the help of Clover Wireless, a company that specializes in private label trade-ins, buy-backs and repair services for carriers, retailers and OEMs (original equipment manufacturers). Instead of touting the money consumers could receive for trading in an old Microsoft device -- or even an old Android phone or tablet -- the site happily promotes the value of iPads and iPhones: up to $350. Related: Microsoft To Unveil New Surface Tablet September 23 This is one of the highest amounts a customer could receive for trading in an iDevice. Outerwall's OUTR ecoATM pays somewhere around $300 for a working iPhone 5. Wal-Mart WMT, which offers a simple calculator to determine the value of a trade-in, will pay $315 for an iPhone 5. The retailer pays $250 for a third-generation iPad (Wi-Fi-only), regardless of the storage capacity. Best Buy BBY will give consumers a free iPhone 5C if they trade in an iPhone 4 or iPhone 4S. Only those who use eBay EBAY -- or some other direct sale method -- may be able to get more than what Microsoft is willing to pay. Unlike the aforementioned retailers (which buy used devices with the intent to re-sell them), Microsoft is not doing this because it wants to have a bunch of used Apple products lying around the office. The company hopes that by paying top dollar, consumers will be more likely to drop their iDevices and invest in Windows 8. Consumers would be wise to shop around before accepting a trade-in, however. While Microsoft pays the most overall, it only pays $200 for a 16GB iPhone 5. Disclosure: At the time of this writing, Louis Bedigian had no position in the equities mentioned in this report. Louis Bedigian is the Senior Tech Analyst and Features Writer of Benzinga. You can reach him at 248-636-1322 or louis(at)benzingapro(dot)com. Follow him @LouisBedigianBZ