What Is the Best Date to Sell Your iPhone if You Are Upgrading to the iPhone 16?

Last updated September 9, 2024

Sell your old iPhone before Sept 6th or risk losing out on hundreds of dollars to put towards a new iPhone 16.

• September 6th, or 14 days prior to the release of the iPhone 16, is the sweet spot for trading your old iPhone in, or you risk losing hundreds of dollars; up to $104!

• In 2023 an iPhone 13 or 14-series had lost as much as $872 of its MSRP (almost 55%) by iPhone 15 release day on September 22nd.

• Trading your iPhone in 14 days prior to the release of the iPhone 16 or by Sept 6th is the wisest time to do so in order to get the most money for your phone and retain your handset until release day.

When is the best time to sell your iPhone ahead of the iPhone 16 release? Apple has confirmed the launch of its iPhone 16 on 9th Sept at its Glowtime Event, according to MacRumor’s article. The iPhone 16 is likely to be available for Pre-Order on the 13th September and available in stores on the 20th September, so it’s a good time to think about when to sell your current iPhone if you’re planning to upgrade. The value of iPhones tends to drop significantly in the days immediately after Apple announces a new model. Therefore, it’s crucial to act quickly if you want to trade in your iPhone before a new release. 

By analyzing past trade-in trends, we can observe how the value of iPhones from the current and previous generations changes around the time of a new release. To determine the optimal time to sell your iPhone, SellCell has compiled a report that offers detailed insights. This report includes historical data on how iPhone values have shifted both before and after the launch of new models.

Deciding when to sell your iPhone can be challenging, so having accurate information is key to making a smart decision. Knowing the best timing can help you maximize your return and secure the best trade-in deal. If you wait too long, you could see your phone’s value drop by as much as 8.3% of its value; an iPhone can lose up to $133 in value from 28 days prior to release, up to the point of the new handset’s release and up to $104 from 14 days prior to the release. This was the case for the iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB back in 2023.

To avoid being without a phone before the iPhone 16’s release, consider locking in a trade-in price that’s valid for 30 days. This allows you to keep using your current iPhone until the new model arrives. With a week left until the iPhone 16 launch, securing a 30-day price lock ensures you have a few extra days after the launch to receive your new phone and send back your old one, all while guaranteeing you get the highest trade-in value.

Key Findings

• September 6th is the best suggested time by which to have sold your old iPhone. Waiting could cost you as much as $104 by September 20th, which the iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB model had lost in 2023 by the time the iPhone 15 hit stores.
• In the four weeks prior to the iPhone 15 release date on September 22nd 2023, the value of all iPhone models dropped significantly. The iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB suffered the most. It lost 8.3% of its value over the four weeks prior to the iPhone 15 launch, going from depreciation at 38.1% on August 25th, to a 46.4% value loss by release day.
• In 2023, in the 14 days leading up to the iPhone 15 launch, the iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB dropped from a trade-in value of $961.00 on August 8th, to $857.00 on September 22nd. In the 14 days prior to release, that figure equated to a $104 loss.
• In the same timeframe, the iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB lost the most from the 13-Series handsets. It went from $792.00 down to $727.00; a loss of $65.00 28 days before and $66.00 14 days before.
• This data serves to illustrate the best time to trade your iPhone in is straight away, or as soon as you can before the release of the iPhone 16. Leave it any later, and you could lose hundreds of dollars.

Report Data Evaluation

It’s clear from the historical trade-in data for iPhone models that existing devices tend to lose significant value, rapidly, before Apple launches a new iPhone. Let’s examine the data from the 2023…

Sell Your iPhone: iPhone Trade-In Data 2023

The first data table above shows the trade-in value of iPhone 14, 13 and 12 series handsets four weeks before and 10 months after the iPhone 15 launch in 2023. The second table shows the value loss and percentage depreciation within the same time frame.

• The data above clearly illustrates a value loss across the iPhone 14, 13 and 12 series in the lead up to the iPhone 15 release date. The worst performing iPhone 14 is the iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB model, losing $133 in the four weeks prior to the iPhone 15 release. The worst performing iPhone 13 model was again the flagship in that series —the iPhone 13 Pro Max 1TB—which dropped in value by $65.00 in that same four weeks.
• All other iPhone 14 models saw a slight value recovery during the week between the launch event and the release date. However, they soon lost value again once the iPhone 15 hit stores.
• The data tells us that waiting for the new iPhone 16 to launch before selling your existing handset could lead to a loss of profit, as it could depreciate by up to 60.5% of the total MSRP come release day.
• As we can see, the value of the iPhone 12 appears to have plateaued in the lead up to the iPhone 15 launch in 2023. On one hand, this could be seen as value retention. However, we must consider that the iPhone 12 is three years into its life cycle at the time of the iPhone 15 release and had an average trade-in value of $390.50 across the range four weeks prior to iPhone 15 launch. By the time iPhone 15 launch day arrived, the average trade-in value was $383.00; a loss of just $6.50 over four weeks.
• The best time to trade your iPhone in is clearly around a fortnight prior to the release day for the iPhone 16.

Sell Your iPhone by September 6th, Two Weeks Prior to the iPhone 16 Release Date

The data makes it clear: if you’re considering selling your iPhone, it’s best to act sooner rather than later to prevent a significant decrease in its value. Delaying too long could mean your device loses up to 60.5% of its value vs its original MSRP by the time the iPhone 16 is released.

To get the most money for your iPhone, consider using a price comparison service like SellCell. These platforms allow you to check offers from different buyback companies, ensuring you find the best deal. Additionally, many services let you lock in a price for up to 30 days, which helps you avoid the usual price drop that happens about 14 days before Apple announces a new iPhone, while still using your current device until your new one arrives.

Methodology

SellCell has gathered iPhone trade-in data from its network of reliable buyback vendors. This historical data reveals the value and depreciation trends of specific iPhone models, starting four weeks before a new iPhone launch and extending eight months afterward. By analyzing this data, SellCell aims to assist consumers in determining the optimal time to sell their current iPhone before a new model is released.