Trade-in values for older iPhones fell by an average of 9% in the month after Apple's launch event last year, according to Uswitch. The comparison site said some newer Pro models have recently risen in value ahead of the expected arrival of the iPhone 18 Pro range.
The data points to a split in the second-hand market for Apple handsets. Standard models such as the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 have continued to lose value over the past year, while some Pro devices have moved the other way in recent months, based on figures compiled by Uswitch.
An iPhone 14 is currently worth about £163 as a trade-in, down 59% from around £400 a year earlier. The iPhone 15 is estimated at about £305, a decline of 24% over the same period.
By contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro rose from £288 in June to £328 in July, Uswitch found. Its early figures also showed increases for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro, although those readings were based on only one or two trade-in quotes a month and should be treated with caution.
Uswitch linked the recent movement in Pro prices to expectations around Apple's next handset release cycle. If Apple unveils only Pro-branded models in the near term, older Pro devices may face less immediate pressure on resale values than standard handsets.
Market split
Trade-in markets often respond quickly to major smartphone launches as owners upgrade and more used devices enter circulation. That can push down valuations within weeks, particularly for mainstream models with larger volumes in the resale market.
Uswitch's figures suggest that pattern was visible after Apple's previous launch window. Average values across the iPhone 14, iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 Pro fell by about 9% from September to October last year, it said.
The numbers also show how depreciation varies across Apple's range. Based on Uswitch's data, the iPhone 14 has lost £237 in value over the past year, more than the device is now worth as a trade-in.
That contrasts with the iPhone 15, which has retained more of its value despite also ageing in the market. For households considering an upgrade, the timing of a trade-in can directly affect how much they recover from an older handset.
Quote window
Trade-in quotes are held for 14 days, giving consumers a way to secure a valuation before sending off a phone, Uswitch said. That means a customer can obtain a price before a launch announcement and still complete the trade-in after receiving a replacement device, provided the quote remains valid.
Condition and storage size remain central to pricing, according to Uswitch. Devices with cracked screens or other faults can still carry residual value, while higher-storage variants typically attract better offers than equivalent handsets with less capacity.
Trade-in groups and comparison sites have increasingly positioned used-device sales as a way for consumers to offset rising handset costs. Apple's premium devices regularly sell for more than £1,000 when new, making resale value a more important part of upgrade decisions for many buyers.
Secondary market values are also watched by retailers and networks because they affect upgrade economics. A stronger residual value can reduce the effective cost of moving to a new handset, while a sharp drop may prompt customers to delay replacing an existing phone.
Uswitch presented the recent rise in Pro valuations as an early sign rather than a settled pattern. The smallest sample sizes were recorded for the iPhone 16 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro, where monthly records amounted to only one or two quotes.
That leaves open the possibility that values could change quickly once Apple's new products are formally announced and broader trade-in activity resumes. Even so, the figures indicate that not all iPhone models are moving in the same direction in the run-up to the launch cycle.
Simrat Sharma, Mobiles Expert at Uswitch, said: "The best time to trade in your iPhone is now. Values usually fall over time, so getting a quote today means locking in the most you're likely to get for it. If you've got a Pro model, values are holding up especially well right now, possibly because Apple isn't launching a new base iPhone this year. It's early data, so don't wait too long to take advantage of it. Whatever phone you have, getting a quote costs nothing and takes minutes. Your price is held for 14 days, so there's no downside to checking today."