iPhone owners planning to upgrade next month are being urged to sell their current handsets before Apple announces its next generation of devices, as trade-in values could fall sharply.
According to the team at Gadget GoGo, trade-in values could tumble once Apple reveals its new phones, with some models reportedly losing as much as 30 percent of their value after the iPhone 18 Pro is announced.
New iPhone expected in September
Apple almost always unveils its flagship smartphone upgrades in September, and there is little to suggest 2026 will be any different. If history repeats itself, the US technology company could reveal its next generation of iPhones as soon as September 9.
Most industry experts expect the iPhone 18 Pro and 18 Pro Max to headline the upcoming show. There is also strong speculation that Apple may finally unveil its first-ever foldable iPhone, which could feature a flexible display that opens up to reveal a tablet-style screen, similar to Android rivals such as Samsung's Z Fold8.
Why selling early matters
Sam Wilson, Director at Gadget GoGo, said: “The iPhone resale market follows a similar pattern every year, but many people still wait until the new models are announced before selling their old phones.”
“At that point, thousands of people have the same idea, more devices hit the resale market and values can quickly start to fall.”
“iPhones tend to hold their value well compared with other smartphones, but that can make getting the timing right even more important. When your phone is worth a significant amount, even a relatively small percentage drop can mean losing a substantial amount of money.”
Current trade-in values
Selling a current iPhone before the new model arrives is not ideal, as owners could be left without a phone for several weeks. However, for those planning an upgrade, wanting the best possible price, and having an old phone to use in the meantime, now could be a smart time to trade in.
Current trade-in values via Apple include: iPhone 17 Pro Max (256GB) – £690, iPhone 17 Pro (256GB) – £640, iPhone 17 (256GB) – £530, iPhone Air (256GB) – £470, iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) – £510, and iPhone 16 (128GB) – £390.
