Best Time to Sell iPhones so Your Cash and Your New Phone Line Up
Your old iPhone could be worth more today than it will be in a few months. But there’s a catch. It’s still holding your work apps, bank codes, photos, and everything else you use each day. Selling early could help you get more cash, but what happens if your new phone hasn’t arrived yet?
Finding the best time to sell iPhones comes down to two questions: What is your phone worth today, and how soon can you let it go? Historical pricing data shows that many iPhones lose value around Apple launches, but the amount varies. Selling earlier could mean more cash, while waiting gives you time to get your replacement ready.
There’s no set date when every iPhone drops in value. The price depends on your model, storage, carrier, condition, and demand for used phones. That makes your own plans just as important as Apple’s launch calendar.
In this guide, we’ll look at how Apple launches affect prices, when selling early makes sense, and how to plan your upgrade so you’re never left without a phone.
When Is the Best Time to Sell iPhones for the Strongest Offer?
The best time to sell iPhones depends on the cash offer available and when you can safely give up your current phone. Selling before a major Apple launch may help you get a better price, but waiting until your replacement arrives means you won’t lose access to calls, messages, and important accounts. If you have a reliable backup, you may be able to sell earlier without that risk.
Your best choice will likely fall into one of three windows:
- Before a new release: You may get ahead of the wave of used phones entering the market. This works best if you have a backup phone.
- During your upgrade: Waiting for your new phone gives you time to move your data and check that it works.
- After a new release: You can still sell your old phone, though the offer may have changed since launch.
Check your phone’s value before choosing a sale date. Today’s offer can help you decide when to sell your iPhone instead of relying only on Apple’s launch calendar.
What a New Apple Launch Does to Your iPhone’s Price
A new Apple launch can change what people will pay for older iPhones. When a new model comes out, some owners sell their old phones to help pay for an upgrade. That puts more used iPhones on the market and gives buyers more choice.
Not every model loses value at the same rate. A newer Pro Max may be in higher demand than an older base model. Storage and condition can also affect the price.
What the data says about launch-week drops
A SellCell study reported by MacRumors looked at trade-in prices around the iPhone 15, 16, and 17 launches. Of the 156 model and storage combinations tracked, 75% lost value between Apple’s announcement and the day the phones went on sale.
During the iPhone 17 launch alone, 50 of 54 combinations dropped in value, by an average of $36.46.
That gives you a good reason to check your phone’s value before Apple’s next announcement. It doesn’t mean your phone will lose the same amount, though. Prices vary by model and condition, and SmartphonesPLUS’s offers may change differently.
The Weeks Before Apple Takes the Stage
The weeks before an Apple event are worth watching. Some people check trade-in offers early so they can sell before the next iPhone comes out. Others wait to see what Apple will announce.
If your goal is to sell an iPhone before the new release increases demand and floods the used-phone market, use this time to compare offers. Selling early could work in your favor, but a higher price isn’t promised. You still need a plan for the phone you’ll use next.
What Changes Once New iPhones Hit Shelves
Once Apple shows off its new phones, buyers have more choices. Some will want the latest model, while others may look for deals on older iPhones. The extra supply of used phones can affect trade-in offers. But prices don’t always drop right away, and the change won’t be the same for every model.
For a closer look, see our guide to iPhone depreciation. It covers how iPhone values change over time.
How Apple’s Launch Calendar Affects Selling
Apple’s September 2026 event gave iPhone owners two key dates to plan around. The iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max went on sale on September 18, 2026. Apple also announced the iPhone Duo, with preorders set for October 16 and sales starting October 23.
These dates show when your next phone could arrive. If you’re waiting for an iPhone Duo, you’ll likely keep your old phone longer than someone who already has an iPhone 18 Pro. But the dates can’t tell you how much your old phone will be worth next month.
What SmartphonesPLUS Pricing Reveals About Your iPhone
Before you choose the best time to sell iPhones, find out what yours is worth now. Two phones from the same year can have different prices. Storage, carrier, and condition all play a role.
SmartphonesPLUS uses live prices that update as the market moves. Checking your exact model gives you a better starting point than a general price range.
Put a Live Number on Your iPhone
These current offers show why you need to check your exact model, storage, carrier, and condition.
| iPhone configuration | Current live offer | Product details |
| iPhone 16 Pro Max, 256GB, Unlocked, Good | $524 | View product |
| iPhone 14, 128GB, Unlocked, Good | $152 | View product |
| iPhone 13, 128GB, Unlocked, Good | $130 | View product |
| iPhone 11, 128GB, Unlocked, Good | $80 | View product |
These prices show what each phone is worth today. They don’t show how much a phone has lost over time. To measure that change, you would need the price for the same configuration on two different dates.
You can see more models in our current iPhone trade-in values guide.
Can Waiting Shrink Your Offer?
Yes, waiting can lower your offer, though the amount is hard to predict. The best way to track a price drop is to compare the same phone on two dates. For example, take an unlocked 128GB iPhone 14 in Good condition. If you know its price before and after a launch, you can see how much it changed.
We need past prices for the same phone to measure that drop. Without those numbers, we can’t say how much money you’d lose by waiting.
For now, start with today’s offer. Then think about how long you need to keep the phone. If it’s sitting unused, selling now may make sense. If it’s your only working phone, waiting could be the better choice.
What our own historical pricing shows
Our pricing research tracked iPhone values between June 2021 and July 2026. For example, the iPhone 13 held around 83% of its value after one year, 57% after two years, and 39% after three years, compared with its value at six months old.
That shows how much an iPhone can lose as it gets older, even without looking at what happens around a new Apple launch. The longer you keep a phone you no longer use, the more its resale value could fall.
Sell Now or Hold Off a Little Longer?
The right choice comes down to your next phone and how much you still use the old one. A better offer won’t help much if you lose access to your bank, work apps, or phone number.
This table can help you find the best time to sell iPhones based on how ready you are.
| Your situation | Best time to sell | What to check first |
| Your new phone is set up | Sell the old phone soon | Current offer and account status |
| Your new phone hasn’t arrived | Wait or use a backup | Delivery date and data transfer |
| You have a working backup phone | Think about selling earlier | Calls, texts, and app access |
| Your old iPhone sits unused | Check the offer now | Condition and current value |
| You use your old phone every day | Keep it through setup | New phone readiness |
| You’re looking at carrier deals | Compare offers first | Payment terms and plan rules |
Use these as starting points when choosing the best time to sell iPhones. Your new phone, backup options, and daily needs will shape the right timing.
A Spare Phone Gives You a Head Start
A working backup phone gives you more freedom to sell early. You may be able to move your number or start service on the spare while you wait for your new phone.
Test it first. Make sure you can call, text, and sign in to the apps you rely on. If the spare can’t handle what you need, selling early could still leave you stuck.
Keep the Old Phone Until the New One Proves Itself
A phone in the mail isn’t ready to use. Deliveries can run late, and moving your data may take more time than you expect.
Keep your old phone until you can call, text, and sign in on the new one. Then look through your photos and messages. Waiting a few extra days may save you a lot of trouble.
That Drawer Phone Could Be Cash This Week
An old iPhone in a drawer may still be worth money. If you haven’t used it in months, now could be a good time to check its price.
Keeping a spare phone can be useful for trips or emergencies. But if you already have a backup, the extra phone may not be doing much for you. A current offer can help you choose between keeping it and selling it.
Stay Connected Through the Whole Switch
You can avoid a phone gap by setting up your next phone before you erase or ship the old one. Check that your data, phone number, and key apps work on the new device first.
Your new phone’s arrival doesn’t mean you’re ready to sell the old one. Some apps and accounts need extra steps before they’ll work on the new phone.
Move Your Data and Logins Over First
Back up your old iPhone before you move anything. Then check that your photos, messages, contacts, and files are on the new phone.
Banking apps, login codes, and digital passes may need extra care. Some apps will ask you to sign in again or use your old phone to approve the switch.
Use Apple’s transfer guide and test your logins before you erase anything.
Confirm Your Number and eSIM Are Live
Your phone number may not move with your photos and apps. If you use an eSIM, which is a digital SIM card, you may need to transfer it on its own. Some carriers let you move an eSIM right from one iPhone to another. Others may ask you to contact them.
Once your new phone is ready, make a call, send a text, and test mobile data. Check that login codes reach the right phone too.
Clear Your Apple Account Before Shipping
You need to remove your Apple Account before someone else can use your old iPhone. Find My and Activation Lock can stop a new owner from setting it up.
Once your data and phone service are safe, sign out of your account and erase the phone. Follow Apple’s current steps to remove Find My and Activation Lock. Leave the phone at the Hello screen.
Don’t sign back in after the reset. Confirm the phone is no longer linked to your account before you ship it.
Match Your Quote to Your Exact iPhone
When you check your offer, enter details that match your phone. A cracked screen, different storage size, or carrier lock can change the price.
You’ll need four details: your model, storage size, carrier or unlocked status, and condition.
Check the screen, back glass, cameras, buttons, charging port, and battery. Pick the condition that best matches your phone today. SmartphonesPLUS will inspect it after it arrives.
Don’t forget any money you still owe on the phone. An unpaid balance, carrier lock, and Activation Lock are three separate issues. Each may affect whether you can sell the device.
Once the details are right, you can use the quote to decide whether you’re ready to sell.
Let Go of Your Old iPhone on Your Terms
Selling before a new iPhone launch could mean getting more cash for your old phone. The data shows that prices can drop around Apple releases, but that doesn’t mean you should rush to sell a phone you still need.
Check what yours is worth today, make sure your replacement is ready, and decide whether the current offer is worth taking or if you’d rather wait. When you’re ready to let the old phone go, check your current cash offer and decide if the timing works for you.
Still have questions about your phone or the selling process? Contact SmartphonesPLUS before you move forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to sell before an iPhone launch?
Selling before a launch may help you avoid a drop in value, but it won’t always bring a higher offer. Check today’s price and have another phone ready before you sell.
Does storage affect when to sell an iPhone?
Storage affects how much your phone is worth, but it doesn’t set the best sale date. A phone with more storage may get a higher offer than the base model. Compare offers for your storage size.
Can I sell an iPhone after a launch?
Yes. Older iPhones can still be worth money after Apple releases a new model. Check the current offer for your phone rather than assuming you’ve missed your chance.
Should I sell before my new phone arrives?
Only if you have a working backup phone that can handle your daily needs. If your old iPhone is your only way to call, text, or get login codes, keep it until the new one works.
Does waiting a month lower iPhone value?
It can, but there’s no set amount that every phone loses each month. Prices change based on demand, age, and condition. Past prices for the same phone can show how much its value has changed.
