FAQ: When Is the Best Time to Sell My iPhone and Where Should I Sell It?

If you’re looking to upgrade your iPhone, you’re probably also wondering what to do with your old one. Can you sell it, or trade it in? Yes! But where should you go to do these things? We can help. Let’s take a look at the best time to sell your iPhone, and the top places to make as much money as possible.

When Should I Sell My iPhone?

There’s a very simple answer as to when you should sell your iPhone: Before the launch of a new model.

A new model always tends to devalue older models, at least a little, and the effect is pronounced when looking at iPhones specifically. Upon releasing a new iPhone, Apple always discounts its trade-ins and similar deals for older iPhone models. Other trade-in and seller sites follow suit. It’s common for the most recent iPhone to lose up to $100 in the days and weeks following a new announcement.

So, if you want to get as much money as possible – especially if you have the most recent iPhone model – sell it in the weeks before a major Apple event when they are likely to announce a new iPhone model.

Apple tends to announce new phone models in September during mid-fall events, so that gives you a timeframe to work with.

The problem, of course, is what you should do if you only have access to one phone. Selling your iPhone weeks before the release of a new version (assuming you plan on buying it) leaves you with a very long stretch where you won’t have a phone – unacceptable to most modern phone users.

If you don’t have a backup or a loved one’s phone that you can depend on, then your best bet is to cut your selling time as close to a new release as possible. If you think you have a good chance of selling your phone, try listing it or sending it in just a day or so before the major Apple event – just remember to follow iDrop News to find out exactly when Apple will launch its new iPhones.

Where Should I Sell My iPhone?

Here are a few of the most popular websites and services to sell your iPhone. Note that it’s always a smart idea to compare all of your selling options with Apple’s own trade-in offerings to see which is most advantageous. Remember, Apple also offers periodic trade-in value boosts as part of its marketing efforts.

Gazelle

Gazelle will happily buy your old phone and send you a payment in about a week. This is a particularly good option if you are planning on trading your iPhone in for something else, because Gazelle offers bonus credits for its store and other useful things when you sell an item. Even better yet, during Gazelle’s latest Fat Tuesday promotion, you can save $50 on iPhone X, XR, XS and XS Max devices until March 11th.

uSell

uSell links you up with buyers specifically interested in buying specific models of iPhone, typically over PayPal. It’s friendly to newcomers and gives you plenty of options for selling to other people. The buyer is allowed to inspect your phone to make sure it meets expected quality, so it’s important to be honest here. uSell also depends a lot on current demand to sell phones, so you may have to wait a while if you are trying to sell an older model.

Swappa

Swappa is another peer-to-peer selling site, one known for its excellent cash prices and careful watch over market fees. If your phone is in good condition, Swappa is a great choice – as long as you have a little time to find a guaranteed buyer and work everything out.

Glyde

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Glyde is easy, easy, easy – if you want to save time, get rid of your phone fast, and check out other used phone options fast, then this site is probably your best bet. You can sell directly to Glyde for cash or credit, and then move on. Prices are competitive with other like-minded sites, and the interface is one of the best around.

eBay

Yes, the ubiquitous eBay really is one of the best places to sell your iPhone if you want to make some quick cash. The auction site has a thriving electronics section, and because it’s quite popular you have a great chance of making a sale quickly, especially if you put a little work into arranging competitive bid options. Additionally, as this excellent Techlicious chart shows, some of the highest iPhone prices are on eBay, so you have a good chance of making more money than other places.