The Best Time to Sell Your iPhone
iPhones don't lose value at a steady drip — the loss is lumpy, and most of it lands around one predictable date each year. Time the sale right and you can pocket an extra $50–$150 on a recent model for doing nothing but acting a few weeks earlier.
Data last updated June 2, 2026 · Based on typical iPhone resale patterns · Values vary by model and condition
The one date that matters: September
Apple announces new iPhones in early-to-mid September almost every year, with sales starting a week or two later. The moment that happens, two things hit the resale market at once: older models lose their "newest" status, and a wave of upgraders dump their old phones to fund the new one. Supply spikes, demand for older models softens, and prices step down.
That's why the single best window to sell is the 6–8 weeks before the launch — roughly July through the end of August. Your phone is still the current or near-current model, buyers haven't been tempted by the new lineup yet, and buyback prices are at their seasonal peak.
Sell in October instead and you're selling into the glut, after the step-down. On a recent flagship that timing difference is commonly $50–$150.
How an iPhone depreciates over time
Approximate share of original value retained. The drop is front-loaded — most value is lost in the first two years.
| Age | Value retained (approx.) | What's happening |
|---|---|---|
| 0–6 months | ~80–90% | Holds well until the next launch looms. |
| 1 year | ~60–70% | First September drop has landed. |
| 2 years | ~45–55% | Now two generations behind; still in demand. |
| 3 years | ~30–40% | Solidly "budget" territory; slower decline. |
| 4–5 years | ~20–30% | Battery health becomes the main price driver. |
| 6+ years | ~10–18% | Near the floor; working units still sell. |
Illustrative ranges for standard (non-Pro) models. Pro and Pro Max hold value a few points better; mini and Plus models a few points worse.
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Sell before you upgrade, not after
The most expensive habit is keeping your old phone "for a while" after the new one arrives. Every week it sits unused, it's worth less — and if the new model just launched, it's already past the cliff. If you can tolerate a few days' gap, or keep a cheap backup, sell in the pre-launch window and bridge to your new phone.
- ✓Best: sell in July–August, buy the new model in September.
- ✓Fine: sell any time you've genuinely stopped using a phone — a drawer phone only depreciates.
- ✗Worst: selling in October–November, after the launch glut has already cut prices.
FAQ
When is the best time to sell my iPhone?
Sell in July or August, before Apple's September launch event. Values drop most sharply in the weeks after a new model ships — often 10–20% in a month or two — so selling before the announcement typically earns the most.
How much does an iPhone depreciate each year?
Roughly 30–45% in year one, another 15–20% in year two, then about 10–15% per year until it nears a floor around years 5–6. The steepest single drop clusters around the September launch, not spread evenly.
Sell before or after I get the new one?
Before, if you can manage a short gap or keep a backup. Value falls every week you wait, and fastest right after launch. Selling before the September event earns more than holding the old phone for convenience.
Is it ever too late to sell?
Almost never worth waiting longer. Once unused, every month in a drawer lowers value as the battery ages. Even a 5–6 year old working iPhone still sells, so sell an unused phone now rather than later.
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