When Is the Best Time to Sell Your iPhone or iPad?
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To sell or not to sell? Sell now or sell later? Those are important questions. Knowing when to sell your iPhone or iPad is always a tricky situation, because you want to get the most for your device, but you don’t want to sell it sooner than you need to. So when is the best time to sell? How do you go about selling it? Here are just a few things to know when it comes to selling your device.
When to Sell Your iPhone
According to FOX News, data from Decluttr suggests the best time to sell your iPhone is right after Apple announces its newest models, but before the new devices hit the market. This means you’ll have about a 10 day window to sell your phone.
Keep in mind, Apple usually continues to sell last year’s models for as much as $100 off. Meaning you might not get as much as you like for your iPhone.
If you’re upgrading to the newest model, you may need a backup phone in between selling and purchasing. Some websites, such as Gazelle will purchase your phone from you at a locked-in price for a limited amount of days, allowing you time to send in your device after you purchase a new one.
When to Sell Your iPad
Unlike selling your iPhone, the best time to sell an iPad is before the new models are even announced. According to Tech Radar the sooner you decide to sell your iPad, the better. This is because people are always looking for a good deal on iPads and they retain their value pretty well. When Apple announces newer models with better specs, the price you can ask for may drop quite a bit.
Where Do I Sell My iPhone or iPad?
Now that you know the best time to sell your device, how do you do it? Selling your iPhone or iPad is a lot easier than you might think.
Both iPhone and iPad are always in high-demand, and Apple’s high prices mean there will always be people looking for a good deal. There are many online sites and services that will help you sell your old device quickly, such as Amazon, Craigslist, eBay, Facebook Marketplace, Gazelle, Swappa, and uSell.
? uSell
uSell pays you for your iPhone or iPad using a trusted buyer. You can find out exactly how much you can get for your device, send it in via a prepaid box, and receive your cash within five days of the buyer receiving the item. Money is paid to you by PayPal or check. The device must be in working order and you will be paid depending on the condition of the device.
? Amazon Trade-In Program
If you’re not worried about getting cash for your device, the Amazon Trade-In Program allows you to receive an Amazon Gift Card in exchange for your phone. You must send in the device and have it inspected before an offer will be made. Once an offer is provided, you can choose to accept it, package up your device, and send it off to receive payment.
? eBay
eBay has been letting sellers and buyers collaborate for years. It has two options for selling iPhone and iPads. You can choose to list the item yourself and wait for a buyer (which can up your sale price) or use eBay Quick Sale which provides an offer for your device and then allows you to send it in and collect payment. Quick Sale is used for exactly what it sounds like—a quick sale—and more than likely won’t pay you top-dollar. Sellers are paid via PayPal.
? Gazelle
Gazelle gives you an offer within minutes and allows you to lock in your selling price for 30 days before you send in your device. This will give you time to grab yourself a new released iPhone or iPad before sending in the old one. Gazelle pays by check or by Amazon gift card.
? Swappa
Similar to eBay, Swappa allows users to sell their devices online directly to others. The difference is Swappa does not have any selling fees and they only allow working devices to be sold on their website. This allows you to sell your iPhone or iPad without giving a portion of your sale to another party. Payments for sold items are made via PayPal
? Local Options – Craigslist, Facebook, and More
Selling locally is also an option to consider. If you’d rather meet your buyer face-to-face than dealing with shipping, you can list your iPhone or iPad on one of the many local sites available in your area.
Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace are both great options for selling locally and are available nationwide. You can choose your own price and deal with all the details of the sale on your own.
What Do I Do Before I Ship My iPhone or iPad?
Once you have a buyer lined up, it’s a good idea to make sure your device is ready for sendoff.
- Backup your device to iCloud, or iTunes on your computer, first.
- Remove your personal data by logging out of iCloud and Find My iPhone.
- And finally, factory reset your device to remove all data and have it just like new for its new owner.
- If you own any Apple Watches, it’s recommended you unpair them before resetting your iPhone.
- In addition to your device, be sure to gather any cables and accessories you plan to include and shine it up so it’s looking its best. If you have the original box, it can make a nice final touch!
Remember to be careful when selling locally and online. Meet in safe areas and try to avoid scams. Some police departments have SafeTrade stations to help keep you safe.
Of course, there are many different strategies for selling your old devices. If you have a method that works best for you, feel free to share your advice in the comments section or on social media.
One more quick note: If you’re not interested in dealing with the hassle of selling your old device, you may even want to check out Apple’s iPhone Upgrade program before purchasing a new iPhone.
Remember, Apple will be announcing new devices on September 12th, so mark your calendars and prepare to sell at a time that’s right for you.
