Apple iPhone 16 launch: what will it do to trade-in and resale values?

Data insights on Apple iPhone resale values

We use number provided by Italian RecommerceIQ. They are a data analysis company that tracks highly dynamic pricing for used and refurbished electronics (smartphones) both for trade in and resale. Let’s dive into their numbers. RecommerceIQ analyzed retail resale values of grade A Apple iPhone 14 (128 GB) and grade A iPhone 15 (128 GB) over the last 365 days in Europe. This analysis focused on when each model entered the secondary market, rather than comparing new retail prices.

Key findings:

• Apple iPhone 14 and 15 experienced an average depreciation rate of 2.3% per month.
• Resale values began rising from June 2024 onward.
• In the first 12 months, the Apple iPhone 14 depreciated by 25%.
• The Apple iPhone 15 depreciated by 20% in its first 8 months.

Summer 2025

Looking ahead, by July 2025, RecommerceIQ expect the Apple iPhone 16 (128 GB) to depreciate by 25% from its initial resale value. Meanwhile, older models like the Apple iPhone 15 and 14 will likely see an additional 25%drop during the same period.

Rumors suggest that the Apple iPhone 16 may not come with a 128 GB storage option, with Apple possibly opting for 256 GB as the minimum configuration. This change could further influence the dynamics of the secondary market.

Key takeaways for secondary market

1. Stable resale values: despite the new launch, resale values for older models may hold for a while due to supply constraints.
2. Increased competition: non-EU players and new retailer/telco partnerships could challenge margins.
3. Depreciation forecast: expect a 25% value drop for Apple iPhone 16 in its first 12 months, along with further depreciation for N-1 and N-2 models.

The upcoming launch is expected to create fresh opportunities and challenges for secondary market operators. We hope that we can continue to give you valuable data together with RecommerceIQ.