Recent resale data from US based trade-in enabler SellCell suggests a widening performance gap between the Apple iPhone 17 range and the Apple iPhone Air. While early sales reports indicated healthy demand for the main Apple iPhone 17 models, the Air appears to have entered the market with limited momentum. Industry observers have noted softer sales expectations, creating early concerns about long term stability in the secondary market.
Ten week depreciation trends
SellCell data covering the first ten weeks reveals a clear divide between the two ranges. The Apple iPhone 17 lineup averages 34.6% depreciation, placing it ahead of both the Apple iPhone 16 at 39.0% and the Apple iPhone 14 at 36.6%. The Apple Air, however, averages 44.3% depreciation. Losses range between 40.3% and 47.7%, placing it well behind all recent generations. The difference of 9.7% between the main models and the Air shows that the market is valuing the Air significantly lower during the early resale window.
Air vs earlier generations
A comparison with previous generations highlights the extent of the Air’s underperformance. The Air performs 12.4% worse than the Apple iPhone 15 range, 7.7% worse than the Apple iPhone 14, and 5.3% worse than the Apple iPhone 16. These results place the current Air at the bottom of every major line up measured at the ten week mark.
Strong Pro stability
Pro and Pro Max models continue to show resilience. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB records the strongest performance with only 26.1% depreciation after ten weeks. The Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max 512GB follows at 30.3%. Across the Pro and Pro Max segment, every model remains below 40% depreciation. These signals suggest that demand in the premium tier remains consistent and that secondary buyers continue to associate the Pro line with stronger long-term value.
Air’s deepening depreciation
The weakest performer across all models is the Apple iPhone Air 1TB at 47.7% depreciation. No Air model stays above 40.3% depreciation by week ten, creating the widest internal spread within the Apple iPhone 17 family. While the main models show signs of stabilising at week ten, the Air continues to fall. This downward trajectory indicates ongoing uncertainty among buyers and refurbishers regarding the Air’s long term desirability.
Market implications
Analysts suggest that a combination of factors may be influencing the Air’s resale weakness. These include questions about long term durability, the ultra-thin design, and the cost implications for repairs and parts sourcing. Early production reports have also pointed toward more cautious expectations around demand, further reinforcing the perception that the Air has yet to secure a stable position within the wider Apple iPhone lineup.
Outlook for the secondary market
Ten week performance across four generations shows the Apple iPhone 15 lineup continues to lead resale value with 31.9% average depreciation. The Apple iPhone 17 lineup sits behind it but still performs as expected. The Air, however, is tracking significantly below expectations. If this trajectory remains unchanged, refurbishers and traders may adjust pricing strategies, stock planning, and risk assessments around the Air in the months ahead. Buyers may also face steeper long-term losses if depreciation continues to widen.
Conclusion
The first ten weeks of data point to a clear pattern. The Apple iPhone 17 lineup aligns with historical performance, while the Apple iPhone Air is falling far below previous benchmarks. With depreciation climbing as high as 47.7%, the Air risks losing confidence across the entire secondary ecosystem. If the trend persists, owners may find themselves holding a visually appealing but rapidly depreciating device.
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Trade-in
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Refurbishing
