Exact date you should sell your iPhone before new Apple launch – or risk losing hundreds

IF YOU want to sell your old iPhone before Apple’s upcoming launch, you’ll have to act fast – or risk losing hundreds off the device’s value.

Earlier this week, Apple revealed that it will unveil the long-awaited iPhone 16, alongside two other rumoured products, on September 9.

But the new iPhone 16 is actually expected to finally hit shelves on September 20.

That gives consumers 22 days to flog their old iPhone in exchange for a new one – and even fewer days to get bang for their buck.

Steven Knight at SellCell has urged consumers that they will miss out on hundreds if they delay the sale of their iPhone by just a few days.

In a recent blog post, Knight warned: “The value of iPhones tends to drop significantly in the days immediately after Apple announces a new model.

“Sell your old iPhone before Sept 6th or risk losing out on hundreds of dollars to put towards a new iPhone 16.”

He added that September 6 – or 14 days prior to the release of the iPhone 16 – is the “sweet spot” for trading your old iPhone in.

Waiting could cost you as much as $104 (£79) by September 20 if you have a fairly recent iPhone 14 Pro Max 1TB model – which is what happened last year.

Here’s how the value of the iPhone 14 512GB and the iPhone 13 512GB faired prior to the iPhone 15 launch last year:

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) of the iPhone 14 512GB and the iPhone 13 512GB at the time was $1,599 and $1,099 respectively.

By August 25, the value of iPhone 14 512GB dropped to $990 and the iPhone 13 512GB sunk to just $517, according to SellCell’s research.

By September 1, the iPhone 14 512GB dwindled again to $960 and the iPhone 13 512GB plunged to $501.

There appears to be a market flurry lasting between September 1 and September 8 that can keep values buoyed ahead of the launch event – but that doesn’t last.

By September 12, the date of last year’s Apple launch, the iPhone 14 512GB hit $780 and the iPhone 13 512GB dipped to $492.

“To avoid being without a phone before the iPhone 16’s release, consider locking in a trade-in price that’s valid for 30 days,” Knight recommended.

“This allows you to keep using your current iPhone until the new model arrives.

“With a week left until the iPhone 16 launch, securing a 30-day price lock ensures you have a few extra days after the launch to receive your new phone and send back your old one, all while guaranteeing you get the highest trade-in value.”