A tech expert has issued a warning to iPhone owners.
If you've ever had an iPhone, you'll know how quickly they churn out new models nowadays.
One week, you've got the brand new release, and an hour later, that's old news. Obviously, that's a slight over exaggeration, but you get the jist.
Now, owners have been warned that they have just weeks to sell their current models before prices could drop by up to 30% following the September launch of the new iPhone 17.
waiting for iPhone 17 launch, so that iPhone 16 price drops, so that iPhone 15 price drops so that I can buy iPhone 7
— — don (@dracosrevenge) August 13, 2025
Sam Wilson, Director at Gadget GoGo, which specialises in buying and selling refurbished technology, says many mobile phone owners miss the crucial selling window before Apple's annual September announcements, costing them hundreds of pounds in lost value.
Analysis of previous iPhone launches shows that second-hand values fall dramatically within just weeks of a new model being announced, with some models losing nearly a third of their resale value.
"The iPhone resale market stays the same year after year, yet most people still wait until after the new models are announced to sell their old phones," Wilson said.
"By then, it's too late, and the market becomes saturated with old models and values drop."
According to Wilson, this year's iPhone 17 announcement, which we expect in mid-September, will trigger the same price drop that happens every year, yet most owners remain unaware of this short-lived selling opportunity.
Wilson pointed out that higher-end models typically experience the most notable declines.
"Pro and Pro Max versions can lose £150-300 in value within the first month after a new launch. That's a lot of money they could have pocketed by acting just a few weeks earlier."
For owners of older models like the iPhone 13 or 14, Wilson still advises selling now rather than waiting.
"Even if you're using an iPhone that's a few years old, you'll still see a big drop in value after the new announcement."
According to data from Statista, iPhone models historically show varying rates of depreciation following their launch, with some premium models maintaining better value than others in the months after release.
Wilson explained that the depreciation pattern isn't unique to Apple products, although iPhones do hold their value significantly better than Android alternatives, at least until a new model comes along.
"iPhones generally retain their value better than other brands, which makes the timing of selling even more important.
"You're starting from a higher resale value, so the actual amount you lose by waiting can be huge," he said.
The expert advised that if you're planning to upgrade, you should act quickly.
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"Start the selling process now, even if you plan to upgrade in September. A lot of buyback services allow you to lock in a price today but keep using your phone for a few more weeks."
The resale market for smartphones continues to grow as more consumers become environmentally conscious and cost-aware.
Wilson pointed out that selling unused devices is better for the planet and makes financial sense.
"When you sell your device before values drop, you're making a smart financial decision that's also environmentally responsible," he said.
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