Understanding iPhone Sell Timing: Key Findings
Recent research by
BluePrint Corporation, a leading player in smartphone buying and selling in Japan, has shown significant insights into when consumers should consider selling their iPhones. With the widespread fear of depreciation, understanding when to sell can save a lot of money. Here's what the survey uncovered.
Overview of the Study
Conducted via the analysis of over 160 stores under the brand
Smartphone Purchase Quick, the study explored the trends in iPhone buyback prices from various vendors. The focus was on recent models including the
iPhone 15,
14,
13, and
12 series, specifically their
256GB variants.
Survey Highlights:
- - Selling smartphones, particularly iPhones, is most beneficial when done early in the product lifecycle.
- - The prices of older models tend to drop significantly more than newer models.
- - Certain times of the year, such as the launch of new series or major holiday sales, can lead to temporary increases in buyback prices.
Detailed Findings
Price Trends Over Time
One of the most compelling findings of the study is the consistent decline in average buyback prices for the iPhone series, particularly evident from September 2024 to October 2024. This is largely due to the launch of new models that renders older versions less desirable. Therefore, waiting until too close to new model releases can significantly impact sell prices.
Additionally, noticeable decreases were seen from April to May 2025, but prices levelled off over the subsequent months.
The Ideal Selling Window
For users of the
iPhone 15, the optimal window for selling appears to be approximately two months before the new version is released, or shortly after its launch when prices see a slight increase for the predecessor models. Interestingly, while older models like the
iPhone 14 experienced swift depreciation after the release of the
iPhone 16, they did see a minor rebound around the holiday seasons, possibly due to increased consumer demand as people look to offload their old devices for new purchases.
Varying Depreciation Rates
The data revealed that while the
iPhone 15 series saw a depreciation rate of roughly
13% from September 2024 to September 2025, older models like the
iPhone 13 and
iPhone 12 experienced depreciation rates of
27% and over
30% respectively within the same period. This indicates a trend where the older the model, the steeper the decline — emphasizing the need for swift actions in selling these devices.
Summary
The results of this study illustrate a predictable pattern: the earlier you sell your smartphone, particularly older models, the better. However, timing can also be tricky, and specific periods can result in short-lived spikes in buyback prices. Factors such as seasonal demands or new model launches can lead to fluctuations that may benefit sellers if timed carefully.
It's also worth noting that due to variations in pricing policies among different buyback companies, results and offers may vary significantly. Hence, it’s advisable to check diverse options before finalizing the sale.
For more details around the study results and insights on choosing the right buying company to maximize your selling price, please visit (insert link).
About BluePrint Corporation
Founded in
October 2014, the BluePrint Corporation operates under the brands
Smartphone Purchase Quick and
Smart Sonic providing not only smartphone buying services but also repair and parts wholesaling. With over 160 stores nationwide, they have purchased more than
100,000 smartphones over their tenure. Their expertise in device repair via
Smart Sonic allows them to appraise used devices accurately.
For more information on smartphone buying, visit
Smartphone Purchase Quick or for repair services, visit
Smart Sonic.