June 2026
The iPhone you are holding right now is worth a specific amount today. That amount will be different in three months — and usually lower. Understanding why, and when to act, can be worth £50-£100 to you.
According to trade-in data published by OnRecycle, iPhone trade-in prices fall by 12-18% in the month following Apple's annual September launch. For an iPhone 15 Pro in excellent condition, that translates to a real-money difference of £60-£90 depending on the model.
Apple launches new iPhones in September every year. In the weeks before the announcement, rumours circulate and existing model prices begin softening as buyers hold off waiting to see the new lineup.
At the launch, two things happen simultaneously:
This double effect means the worst time to sell an iPhone is October — the month after launch — when supply of recycled models floods the market and recycler buying prices drop to their lowest point.
January to March — prices generally stable. Recyclers have worked through pre-Christmas stock and are building inventory. Good time to sell.
April to June — this is typically the sweet spot. Demand for refurbished phones remains strong, new iPhone is months away, and recyclers are offering competitive prices to build stock ahead of the autumn. This is the best time to sell most iPhone models.
July to August — prices begin softening slightly as rumours of the new iPhone intensify. Still a reasonable time to sell, but the window is narrowing.
September — Apple launches the new iPhone. If you have not sold yet, hold off. Prices are in flux and some recyclers reduce buying until they understand demand patterns for the new model.
October to November — worst time to sell. Supply of used iPhones surges as people trade in after upgrading. Recycler buying prices are at their lowest. Avoid if you can.
December — slight recovery as Christmas gifting drives demand for refurbished phones. Better than October/November but not as strong as spring.
Yes, though the timing differs:
Samsung launches flagship S-series phones in January/February. The best time to sell a Galaxy S model is October to December — before the next generation lands and prices drop. Samsung's Galaxy S24 values fell significantly in March 2026 when the S25 series hit UK stores in volume.
Google Pixel launches in October. Sell Pixel phones in June to August for the best prices. Google's smaller market share means less dramatic price swings than iPhone.
Based on trade-in price data from UK recyclers:
The newer and more valuable the phone, the bigger the absolute impact of timing. A £90 difference on an iPhone 15 Pro is significant — that is more than enough to justify holding off or accelerating your sale.
Many people sell their old iPhone at the same time as buying a new one. If you are buying a new iPhone through Apple directly, their trade-in programme is convenient but tends to pay below market rates. An independent recycler comparison will almost always get you more.
If you are upgrading to the newest iPhone at launch, your old phone's trade-in value will be lower than it was three months earlier. This is worth factoring into the total cost of upgrading.
The best upgrade strategy: sell your old phone in the spring before Apple's keynote, bank the cash, then buy the new model second-hand six months after launch when prices have dropped 15-20%.
Timing matters less for faulty phones because recyclers buy them to strip for parts, which has steadier demand. If your iPhone has a cracked screen or other fault, sell it as soon as you know you are not going to repair it — it will only depreciate further.
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