How much we pay: maximum amounts by Apple model
Apple buyout in Almaty starts with an honest number. Below is the payout ceiling for current models: that's what we pay for a top configuration in excellent condition with a full package. The appraiser confirms the exact amount for your model after inspection — a preliminary estimate by photo is free and comes with no obligation.
Table of maximum payouts by model
| Model | We pay up to |
|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro | 1 650 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Pro 16″ M3 Pro | 1 265 000 ₸ |
| MacBook Pro 14″ M4 | 1 155 000 ₸ |
| iPhone Duo | 792 000 ₸ |
| iPhone 18 Pro Max | 528 000 ₸ |
| iPhone 18 Pro | 473 000 ₸ |
| iPad Pro 13″ M4 | 385 000 ₸ |
| iPad Pro 11″ M4 | 308 000 ₸ |
| Apple Watch Ultra 2 | 286 000 ₸ |
| Apple Watch Series 10 | 154 000 ₸ |
The ceiling in the table is reached only by a top configuration in perfect condition with the box and documents — the real amount by photo is usually 10–25% lower, and that's normal for the market.
What the price depends on
- Model and year: recent iPhone, MacBook, and iPad cost more than previous generations — the gap between neighboring lineups reaches 200 000 ₸.
- Condition: scratches, chips, and replaced parts lower the price — a cracked screen takes up to 30% off the base.
- Package: the box, charger, and documents add to the amount — a full set adds 5–10%.
- Storage and configuration: 256 GB costs more than 128 GB, and a MacBook with more RAM is valued higher.
- Battery: battery wear affects the total — below 80% capacity we deduct the cost of a replacement.
- Demand: we compare with Kaspi Store, OLX.kz and Technodom — the price is tied to real listings on the day of the deal.
Which iPhone models are worth the most
Top iPhone models sell for the most — Duo up to 792 000 ₸, iPhone 18 Pro Max up to 528 000 ₸, iPhone 18 Pro up to 473 000 ₸. The payout gap between top versions is about 55 000 ₸, between the new flagship and last year's model up to 120 000 ₸, and 128 GB versus 256 GB of storage adds or subtracts up to 40 000 ₸. Another factor is battery condition: below 80% capacity, the discount covers the cost of a future battery replacement. In our experience, payouts are most often lowered precisely because of a wrongly stated model, so send a photo of the sticker on the box or a screenshot of "Settings → General → About" — from that data we'll identify the version exactly.
How the appraisal works and when you get your money
You can sell Apple devices in Almaty in a single visit. The appraisal is free, and we pay out right after the contract is signed — no waiting, no interest, and no obligation to buy anything back.
Appraisal by photo in 5–10 minutes
Send photos of the device and the model via WhatsApp — Topcash will give a preliminary price in 5–10 minutes, free of charge. Remote appraisal works for iPhone, iPad, MacBook, iMac and Apple Watch: just send shots of the screen, the body from all four sides and the sticker with the serial number. Specify the storage capacity right away — a 256 GB and a 128 GB iPhone of the same model differ in price by 15–20%, and without that detail the appraiser can only give a wide range. The bundle matters too: the box, original charger and documents add to the sum, so photograph them together with the device. Shoot in good light — the screen, the body from all sides, the serial number sticker and the bundle, so the appraisal is more accurate and the price won't change on site.
In-branch check in 10–20 minutes
At the branch we test the device in front of you in 10–20 minutes and confirm the price — then we close the deal right away. The appraiser connects the iPhone to diagnostics, checks battery wear, tests Face ID, cameras, speakers, iCloud unbinding and whether the IMEI matches the stated model; for a MacBook they test the keyboard, trackpad, ports, screen condition and battery cycles. We don't buy devices with iCloud still linked — that's a rule with no exceptions, same as refusing devices that are reported stolen or have a tampered serial number. Small gadgets — phones, watches, tablets, components — are easier to bring in: 6 of our branches across the city are open 24/7, no appointment or queues. Checking in front of the client protects both sides: you see that we don't take the device into a back room, and the appraiser records its condition before signing.
Money right away: cash, Kaspi Gold, Halyk
- Cash right away: Apple devices for cash — we pay out at the branch at the moment of the deal.
- Cash: paid out at the branch right after signing the sale and purchase contract.
- Kaspi Gold: the transfer goes through at the moment of the deal, the receipt stays in your banking app.
- Halyk and other banks: to a card of any bank in Kazakhstan — handy for large sums for a MacBook.
- Contract: signed before payment, one copy for each party.
- No interest: this is a buyout of Apple devices, not a loan — nothing to pay back.
- Documents: only a national ID of the RK or a passport, age — from 18.
- Large sum: a card transfer is handier than cash — no need to carry money across the city, and the receipt stays in the app.
Documents, age and how the deal works
The deal is processed officially: you only need an identity document and to be 18 or older. Here's what to bring and how payment works.
What documents are needed
To sell, a national ID of the RK or a passport is enough, and the seller must be 18. A power of attorney is needed in only one case — if the device belongs to a relative and someone else brings it in: then a written authorization with the owner's details is drawn up. The staff member will check the serial number or IMEI against the database of stolen devices — this takes a couple of minutes and is done before signing the papers. The sale and purchase contract is drawn up in two copies: one stays with the seller, the second with the buyer, and payment is made after signing. The document protects the seller: if the device later comes up in a dispute, you have proof of a lawful deal and the sum.
The deal step by step
- Step 1: send photos of the device and the exact model via WhatsApp — that's enough for a preliminary quote.
- Step 2: get the price in 5–10 minutes and decide if the sum works for you.
- Step 3: bring the device to a branch or call an appraiser for large items.
- Step 4: check in front of you in 10–20 minutes — diagnostics of the screen, battery, body.
- Step 5: sign the sale and purchase contract, showing your national ID.
- Step 6: get your money right away — in cash or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk.
- Step 7: if needed, take a collateral loan instead of selling — rate 0.19–0.25% per day.
Checklist to prepare for selling
- Backup: save your photos, contacts and documents to iCloud or a computer before resetting.
- Unbinding: turn off iCloud, your Google account and Find My iPhone — the deal can't go through without this.
- Reset: restore the device to factory settings and remove your Apple ID from the system.
- Bundle: gather the box, original charger and documents — this adds to the price.
- Cleanliness: wipe the body and screen, take off the case and film for a quick inspection.
- Charge: leave 30–50% charge so the appraiser can start diagnostics right away.
What we don't buy: iCloud, stolen, tampered number
Some devices we don't accept — this protects both the seller and the buyer. Here are three reasons for refusal and what to do if your device is on that list.
Unlinked iCloud and Google account
Topcash does not buy phones or Apple devices with an unlinked iCloud or Google account. The link works like a digital lock: without the account password, the new owner can't activate an iPhone, iPad or Apple Watch, and an Android device won't get past initial setup after a reset. The appraiser checks this first — before quoting a price, because a locked device has no market value on OLX.kz or in Kaspi Shop. Unlinking takes a couple of minutes in settings, but without it the device is effectively blocked for the buyer — that's why it's the first thing the appraiser checks.
Devices reported stolen or with a tampered number
We don't buy devices reported stolen or with a tampered serial number — we check the IMEI and serial before the deal. The stolen-device database and carrier records in Kazakhstan flag phones reported as stolen or lost: once such a phone registers on the network, it comes back onto law enforcement's radar, and the buyer risks losing both the money and the device. A tampered serial number is the second red flag: it gets ground down and re-stamped during illegal repairs or case swaps, and the mismatch shows up when the sticker is checked against the system record. An IMEI check protects the seller: if the device is in the stolen database, it's better to find out before the deal, not after.
How to check the IMEI before selling
- Settings: open “General” → “About” — the IMEI and serial number are listed there.
- Box: the sticker on the back of the packaging shows the same number as in the system.
- SIM tray: the metal tray has the number engraved on it — it must match the other two as well.
- Cross-check: all three values must match; a mismatch means the case was swapped or the firmware reflashed.
- Stolen check: before visiting a buyout, check the device against public IMEI databases — that settles questions on the spot.
Condition and accessories: will a faulty iPhone be bought
Imperfect condition isn't a death sentence. Here's how defects, missing accessories and faults affect the final price — and what we still buy.
Faulty devices — for parts
Topcash buys faulty Apple devices for parts — cheaper than working ones, but it buys them. A broken iPhone 15 Pro Max with no image on the display is valued by the cost of the matrix, case and front panel: even a “dead” device brings 30-40% of a working equivalent's price, because the board, camera and vibration motor are worth money separately. A MacBook with a liquid-damaged keyboard is broken down for memory, SSD and battery — with a 512 GB configuration or higher, that's a noticeable part of the payout. A non-booting iPad 11″ M4 is accepted for its display and battery, if the case shows no signs of being opened. The appraiser disassembles the device in front of you and prices each component, rather than quoting one sum “for everything”. If the device won't turn on, don't rush to throw it away: the board, screen and battery are each worth money, and the appraiser will price them separately.
Cracked screen, scratches, battery wear
A cracked screen, chips on the case and battery wear reduce the payout, but don't cancel the deal. On an iPhone 18 Max, a diagonal crack takes off 15-20% from the maximum, deep chips on the frame — another 5-7%, and a worn battery at 78% capacity adds a 10-12% minus to the final sum. On an Apple Watch Ultra 2, scratches on the sapphire glass barely affect the price, while dents on the titanium case are noticeable — they're priced separately. On a MacBook 14″ M4, scuffs on the aluminum take off less than traces of spilled liquid under the keyboard. A non-original screen replacement is the most expensive minus to the price: if the part was swapped, say so honestly — the appraiser will see it from the mounts anyway.
iPad and iPhone without box and charger
We'll buy an iPad or iPhone without a box and charger — the accessories add to the price, but their absence doesn't block the deal. By our estimates, an original box with a matching serial number adds 5-8% to the payout for an iPad 13″ M4, and a USB-C cable with an adapter — another 2-3%. On an iPhone 18, the missing charger is barely noticeable: most people have such cables, but a box with documents noticeably raises the sum on resale. On an Apple Watch Series 10, the band and original packaging add to the appraisal, while a third-party band isn't counted at all. Documents and the original box add more to the sum than the charger: if the box is still around, be sure to bring it with you.
Pickup of large devices and 6 branches 24/7
Large Apple equipment — iMac, Mac Pro, Pro Display XDR — we pick up ourselves. Small items are easy to bring to any of the 6 branches, which are open 24/7.
Free pickup of large equipment across Almaty
Topcash picks up large equipment free across Almaty on the day you call — the appraiser arrives with movers. This covers the iMac 24″ and 27″, Mac Pro, rack-mounted Mac mini and Pro Display XDR monitors: hauling them to a branch yourself is risky — the aluminum body and screen glass are easily damaged, and a crack in the matrix knocks 30–50% off the price. The appraiser inspects the device on site in 10–20 minutes, checks the serial number, verifies the configuration — memory, storage, year of release — and confirms the amount. Our technician removes the air conditioner: no need to find a separate specialist and pay for removal before selling.
6 branches, all open 24/7
Topcash has 6 branches here, all open 24/7, no days off. Bring small equipment — iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, MacBook — to the nearest one: your national ID of the RK or passport, appraisal in front of you in 10–20 minutes, cash or transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk and any card in Kazakhstan right after signing the sale and purchase contract. The branches are spread across districts — from Bostandyk to Nauryzbay — so the nearest one is usually 10–15 minutes away by car. At night the line is shorter and the appraiser is less busy: if you want to discuss the price calmly without rushing, come after 22:00.
Buyout or OLX: where it's more profitable to sell
| Criterion | Topcash | OLX / Kaspi |
|---|---|---|
| Money | immediately | after the sale |
| Contract | yes | no |
| IMEI check | required | at your discretion |
| Pickup of large equipment | free | self-drop-off |
| Speed | 10–20 minutes | days–weeks |
| 24/7 | yes | no |
On classifieds boards the listed price is often inflated, and real buyers only come with haggling — the result is often lower than if you come straight to us.
Conclusion
Selling Apple equipment is a deal where predictability matters: a clear price, fast appraisal and money in hand without waiting. Below are five points to keep in mind before your visit.
Key takeaways
- The price depends on the model, year, condition, accessories and demand — the payout ceiling for top models reaches 1 650 000 ₸ for a MacBook Pro 16″ M4 Pro.
- Appraisal is free — by photo it takes 5–10 minutes, at the branch the check in front of you takes 10–20 minutes.
- Money is paid out immediately — in cash or by transfer to Kaspi Gold, Halyk and any card in Kazakhstan after signing the contract.
- Unlinked iCloud, reported stolen and a tampered number — three reasons for refusal, check them before your visit so you don't waste time.
- Large equipment is picked up — Mac Pro, iMac and Pro Display XDR are taken away on the day you call, and branches are open 24/7.

















