Apple

Can't you read at all?

OP is complaining about ACCIDENTALLY hitting that button.

Let's try to explain how things work.

First, you may want to trade the device in to get a discount on a new unit. You declare the state in which the device is in, and Apple's site gives you a value.

Second, Apple inspects the device and either confirms everything or marks it down by citing a reason.

Third, in the case of a markdown, you have to either accept or refuse the terms. (Assuming that if you refuse, you can request to get your device back.)

OP accidentally hit Accept and there's no going back. Which led to this post.

Not sure why I ever bothered to type all of this because it's so obvious.

Can you provide any logical reason why someone would accept a $0 trade in?

I would. Because dealing with receiving it back and then trying to sell it as a broken iPhone isn't worth my time. I'd rather they take it and refurbish or recycle it, even if I get $0.

I wouldn’t be surprised if OP could challenge this based on the fact that no consideration was given which means it’s not a valid contract.

Consideration is given... promise to refurbish or recycle.

Challenging this legally would be tough because you'd have to sue for damages, for which Apple said the worth of the device was $0 and the OP agreed to that. They'd have to persuade a court that it was an accident for which the blame is on Apple and that the value of the device is more than $0 (which BTW was established by a 3rd party).

I feel for the OP, but Apple makes the instructions for doing this very clear and inserting further protections in the process seems burdensome for those not acting so careless as the OP.

That said, having a 24 hour grace period for changing one's mind doesn't seem like this would be very burdensome for Apple, but that should be weighed against the frequency of this occurring.