The best time to sell your iPhone (and when to avoid)

Timing your iPhone sale correctly can be worth £50-100 more in your pocket. Here's what you need to know.

When prices are highest

The best time to sell your iPhone is in the weeks before Apple's annual September event. Demand from recyclers is at its peak because refurbished stock is tight and buyers know a price reset is coming.

Aim to sell between July and early September if you can. This is consistently the sweet spot across all iPhone models.

When prices drop

Prices fall fast in two situations:

• Right after Apple announces new models (usually mid-September)
• When Apple cuts the price of older models in their lineup

A £50-80 price drop within 48 hours of an announcement is completely normal. If you're sitting on an iPhone 14 when the 16 is announced, don't wait.

The golden rule

Set a Google Alert for "Apple event" or "iPhone announcement" and check GadgetRank prices the week before. Lock in a quote as soon as you see the value you want — most recyclers hold quotes for 14-30 days.

What about Samsung and Google Pixel?

The same logic applies. Samsung typically announces Galaxy S flagships in January/February. Google announces Pixel phones in August. Sell your current device in the weeks before those events for the best prices.