Selling your old iPhone can be more profitable than you think, but many people overlook one crucial factor: timing. When you choose to sell your device can significantly impact not just how quickly it sells, but also how much money you get for it. In fact, we’ve seen people lose $100–$200 in value just by waiting a few days too long.
So in this article, I’ll guide you through
- the best time to sell your iPhone
- how to sell it for the most money, and
- the best place to sell your used iPhone online.
Let’s Talk About Resale Value
So here’s the truth: the resale value of all smartphones, iPhone inclusive, is always on a steady decline. This means that every day your smartphone becomes less valuable than it was yesterday, and the release of new models like the iPhone 17 release speeds up that depreciation. It’s why old iPhone prices can drop $100+ overnight.
So truly, the best answer to the question “when is the best time to sell my iPhone” is NOW.
The stats tell us that iPhones typically depreciate by 40-50% in their first year, followed by an annual depreciation rate of 15-20% for subsequent years.
When Is the Best Time to Sell Your iPhone?
NOW
As I mentioned earlier, your iPhone’s value depreciates daily, so if you truly want to get the most money for your used iPhone, then the earlier you sell it, the better.
Before the New iPhone Release
The second-best time to sell your used iPhone is before the release of new iPhone models, because with every new iPhone release, the older iPhones see a steep depreciation in price, especially the immediate predecessor. Those usually see a minimum $100-$150 value drop overnight. Data from SellCell shows that the safe zone is 14 days to the release of the new iPhone series.
Holiday Season
As you probably know, the holiday season is a time when people are out to get gifts for their loved ones and other items to enter the new year. So during the holiday season, there’s a surge in demand for iPhones. And this surge significantly reduces the depreciation speed of old iPhones.
How To Prepare Your iPhone For Sale
Preparing your iPhone for sale is another important but very commonly overlooked step in selling old iPhones. How you prepare your used iPhone for sale can determine how fast it sells and how much it sells for. So here’s how to prepare your old iPhone for sale:
1. Confirm Device Details
The first step in preparing your iPhone for sale is to confirm its details. Check and confirm the device’s exact model, storage, network unlock status, & IMEI number.
- To find your iPhone’s model, go to Settings > General > Model Name.
- To get your iPhone’s IMEI, scroll down on the same page.
- To check iPhone unlock status: Go to Settings. Tap General > About > Network Provider Lock.
If the iPhone is unlocked, it will say so there.
2. Evaluate the iPhone’s Condition
In this step, you’re going to inspect your iPhone thoroughly in order to assess the device’s current condition. Look for things like scratches, dents, cracks, etc. To check the internal condition, you can use diagnostic tools like iDiagnosis.
Inspecting the iPhone’s condition allows you to know the exact condition of your device, whether good or bad, helps you communicate to the buyer what exactly he’s getting, and prevents any future dispute over the device’s condition. Being transparent about the condition is one of the best ways to attract trust and sell iPhone online faster.
3. Back Up Your Data
Before selling, make sure all your photos, messages, and files are safe. You can:
- Use iCloud Backup (Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud > iCloud Backup > Back Up Now).
- Or back up via iTunes/Finder on a computer.
This ensures you don’t lose important data when resetting your phone.
4. Sign Out Of All Accounts
To prevent the new owner from running into Activation Lock, sign out of:
- iCloud (Settings > [Your Name] > Sign Out).
- iTunes & App Store if still signed in.
This step is crucial; otherwise, the buyer won’t be able to use the iPhone.
5. Factory Reset Your iPhone
After backup and sign-out, wipe your iPhone clean:
- Go to Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Erase All Content and Settings.
- Confirm and enter your Apple ID password if required.
This restores the iPhone to its original factory state, ready for a new owner.
6. Unlock Your iPhone (If Locked)
Unlocked iPhones sell faster and for more money because they can be used anywhere and on any network, making them attractive to a larger pool of buyers.
Different carriers have different iPhone unlock policies/requirements, so do a quick check on your carrier’s website to see if your iPhone is eligible to be unlocked. Alternatively, you can reach out to your carrier and have them check for you.
Do note that you can still sell your locked iPhone to The Whiz Cells, but unlocking makes it more valuable.
7. Clean Your iPhone
The cleaner your phone looks, the more buyers it’ll attract, the better it’ll be priced, and the faster it’ll sell. Here’s how to clean your iPhone to prepare it for sale:
- Turn off the phone and unplug all cables.
- Wipe it down with a soft, lint-free cloth (like a microfiber or lens cloth).
- For disinfecting, lightly use 70% isopropyl alcohol or Clorox wipes, but avoid bleach, hydrogen peroxide, or letting liquid into the ports.
- Remove dust from the charging port and speakers carefully.
Signs It’s Time to Sell Your iPhone
So if you are looking to sell your Apple device, here’s a short list of things that serve as tell-tale signs that it’s time for you to sell your device.
- Battery health and performance slowdown: if your phone is already losing battery health or slowing down in its performance, take it as your phone’s way of telling you that it’s on its last legs, and it’s time for you to sell your device.
- Storage space issues and iOS updates: as newer updates are being made to the iPhone and its OS, some of the older devices will soon be obsolete and unusable. So it’s best if you sell your device before it becomes obsolete or otherwise unusable.
- Trade-in demand for your current model: the resale value of your iPhone model can give you a good understanding of how valuable your phone is at the moment.
Where To Sell Your iPhone Online
The Whiz Cells is the best place to sell your used iPhone on the World Wide Web. Apart from getting the most money for your old iPhone, we guarantee a stupidly fast payout time of 24 hours after receiving your device. So you can send in your device today and get paid on the same day!
Here’s how to sell your iPhone to The Whiz Cells:
- Go to TheWhizCells.com.
- Search for your device.
- Select your device details: carrier (network status), storage, condition, and whether or not the device is paid off.
- Receive your offer and click checkout.
- Follow the on-screen instructions.
Check out our reviews!
Final Words
There is no better time for you to sell your iPhone than now. Especially with the yearly release of newer and better models of the device, you are better off selling your device now before it depreciates any further.
So don’t wait any longer, sell your old iPhone to The Whiz Cells for the most money now!
Frequently Asked Questions on When Is The Best Time To Sell Your iPhone
When should you sell your iPhone?
The best time to sell your iPhone is as soon as possible. iPhones lose value daily, and older models depreciate faster once a new model is released. Selling early ensures you get the highest resale value before your device drops in price.
What month do iPhones drop in price?
iPhones typically see a steep price drop around the release of a new model, which is usually in September. The immediate predecessor models can lose $100–$150 overnight. To avoid losing value, consider selling your iPhone at least two weeks before the new release or right before the holiday season when demand is high.
What is the best time to trade in your iPhone?
The ideal time to trade in your iPhone is:
- Before a new iPhone release, older models depreciate quickly after new launches.
- When your phone shows signs of slowdown or reduced battery health, this ensures you maximize value before performance issues further reduce resale worth.
- During high-demand periods like the holiday season, buyers are actively looking for devices, which helps maintain higher trade-in values.
Where is the best place to sell your iPhone online?
The Whiz Cells offer high payouts and fast transactions. We provide an easy process: select your device, confirm condition and network status, receive an offer, and get paid quickly; within 24 hours of delivery.