Product red iPhone 13 besides charger and Apple box

Trade In Your iPhone 13 or 14 Before the iPhone 17 Launch – Avoid Losing $100+ in Value

If you own an iPhone 13 or iPhone 14, there’s one thing you need to know, the value of your device is on a countdown.

Every year, iPhones lose a significant chunk of their trade-in value just weeks before a new iPhone model launches. By acting early, you can avoid losing over $100 in resale value just by knowing when to upgrade your iPhone. In this article, we’ll show you exactly how much value your iPhone could lose, when to trade it in, and how to get the most cash for it.

Don’t wait until it’s too late; read on to find out how to beat the iPhone value drop before the next launch hits.

Before we dive into why iPhone 13 and 14 owners should trade in soon, let’s take a brief look at how and why iPhones drop value, especially before the launch of a new iPhone.

Why iPhone Resale Value Drops Before a New Launch – and How to Avoid It

Regardless of brand, prestige, or how much it costs at launch, a phone’s value declines over time, and the Apple iPhone is not excluded. The older a phone gets, the more value it loses (the same is true for all phones). Many factors, including device age, innovations, software updates, etc., drive smartphones to lose their value. It’s no exaggeration to say that with every passing day, phones lose more and more of their value.

And for the iPhone, the value decline only gets steeper and faster the closer it is to the launch of a new model. 

In fact, according to data from SellCell, the iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB version lost over 8.3% of its value in the four weeks before the launch of the iPhone 15 series. That equates to $133 lost in trade-in value. It didn’t stop there; the moment the iPhone 15 was officially announced, the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s value plunged further. And older iPhone models like the iPhone 13 followed the trend, posting even worse value drops. The key to avoiding the loss in resale value is knowing that you need to trade in your iPhone early rather than waiting.

 

iPhone Rear View

How Much Value iPhone 13 and 14 Owners Stand to Lose

As explained earlier, smartphones lose a portion of their value every single day. Even newly released, top-end models like the iPhone 16 Pro Max are not spared from this steady depreciation. So it’s no surprise that older models like the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14, which have already been on the market for years, continue to decline in value.

To give you a clearer picture, our team at SmartphonesPLUS used AI-powered data analysis to estimate how much more the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 could depreciate by the time the iPhone 17 is launched later this year.

For this analysis, we focused on the iPhone 14 Pro Max and iPhone 13 Pro Max models.

Based on current market trends and historical depreciation rates, these devices are expected to lose a notable percentage of their value in the coming months. Our estimates suggest that both models could drop by at least $100-$150 in value within months of the release of the iPhone 17.

Should You Trade In Your iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 Now to Maximize Value?

The message from the data is abundantly clear: trade in your iPhone now to get the most value.

The data suggests that you should trade in or sell your iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 now, but things aren’t as straightforward as that. For one, if you trade in your Apple iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 now, what device will you use, or will you get the iPhone 16? 

Getting the iPhone 16 now is by no means a bad choice, but in less than 5 months the new iPhone 17 will be released. 

So the question now is, is it worth waiting (and allowing your iPhone’s value to depreciate further) until just before the iPhone 17’s release to trade in your iPhone 13 or 14 and then get the latest and greatest from Apple? According to the data we discussed earlier from SellCell, the iPhone only starts losing value rapidly in the weeks leading to the release of a new iPhone. Before that time, the value of the iPhone is fairly steady.

So, we’d advise you to trade in your iPhone 14 or iPhone 13 in the last week of August or the first week of September. Another option is for you to lock in a trade-in price at SmartphonesPLUS. When selling your iPhone to SmartphonesPLUS, you can lock down your iPhone trade-in price before trading it in.

Optimal time to trade in iPhone based on the new release calendar

Best Places to Sell or Trade In Your iPhone 13 or 14 Online

SmartphonesPLUS offers one of the best iPhone 14 trade-in values online, making it a top choice for users looking to sell iPhone 13 or iPhone 14 for cash. At SmartphonesPLUS,  the whole iPhone trade-in process is smooth and easy. Trade in your iPhone at SmartphonesPLUS to get industry-leading prices with a simple selling process. 

You can also trade in your iPhone 14 or trade in your iPhone 13 on platforms like Apple Trade In. While these platforms can also offer trade-in, the process is often time-consuming and they usually only provide store credit.

Tips for Maximizing iPhone Trade-In Value

It’s one thing to sell your iPhone 14 or iPhone 13; it’s another to sell it for the best price. So here are a few tips to help you sell your iPhone 14 (or sell your iPhone 13) for the most cash.

  1. Keep it in good physical condition
  2. Clean the device
  3. Sign out of accounts and Factory Reset your iPhone
  4. Maintain good battery health.
  5. Make sure it’s not carrier locked (Unlocked phones are more valuable than locked ones)

Where Can You Sell Broken iPhones?

If the iPhone you want to sell is broken or doesn’t even power on at all, you can still trade it in for money at SmartphonesPLUS. SmartphonesPLUS pays cash for all iPhones whether they are a perfectly working iPhone 16 Pro Max or an iPhone 14 with a cracked screen and swollen battery.

What You Need to Do

Time isn’t just ticking; it’s costing you money. As history (and the data) shows, the iPhone 13 and 14 models will see a sharp value decline in the time leading up to the release of the next iPhone. Waiting too long could mean losing at least $100 or more in trade-in cash.

So whether you plan to upgrade now or closer to the iPhone 17 release, the best move is to act before the value crashes. Lock in your trade-in price or make your move while your iPhone is still worth top dollar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time to trade in an iPhone?

The best time to trade in your iPhone is late August to early September, right before Apple launches a new model. Waiting too long can cost you over $100 in lost iPhone trade-in value.

Is it a good idea to trade in my iPhone?

Yes, trading in your iPhone helps you save big on an upgrade. Whether you want to sell iPhone 14 Pro Max, sell iPhone 13 Pro Max, or lock in the best price, now’s the best time. Look for reliable places to sell your iPhone, like SmartphonesPLUS, where you can get more and avoid last-minute value drops.

What time of year is best to upgrade an iPhone?

The best time to upgrade an iPhone is right after a new model launches. To get the most money for your old iPhone, the smart move is to sell your iPhone just before the launch of the new iPhone.

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