How Much Does Your Used iPhone Worth

By Carrie Tsai,  Last Updated: March 04, 2020

Apple’s iPhone series product has been so famous that each new upgraded version will be sold at a price of thousands of dollars, which is pretty understanding for new product launching. But can you imagine a used iPhone can still be valuable? What if it’s an Android phone of the same generation? I am afraid it will be a different story.

Official information shows that Apple’s iPhone 7 was launched three years ago. Nevertheless, at present on Amazon, a used iPhone 7 can still go for around $130 to sometimes over $180. Then how about a three-year-old Android phone of the same generation? Let’s also see the price of Samsung Galaxy S7. Samsung Galaxy S7, which was launched in Feb. 2016, it only sells for under $100.

Used iPhones, like the iPhone 7 or 8, almost always cost more than the same generation of Android phones. Why this three-year-old phone can still worth that much? Why it is a different story for Android phones? What’s the value of using the iPhone? Let’s find it out today.

Also Read: Here Is Why Apple A13 Bionic Chipset Wins

What is pretty understanding is that people might want to follow the trend and get the most updated iPhone at once every time a new fashion product being launched. Furthermore, with time passing by, the value of used iPhone on your hand is losing day by day. Depreciation is a normal thing especially in the field of technology. For those who want to sell the used iPhone in their pockets for the most cash possible, you should start packing your used iPhone now.

How Much Does your Used iPhone Worth?

At present, there are lots of marketplaces provided trade-in services for used iPhone: Swappa, Apple, Best Buy, Gazelle and so on. This time we will compare the trade-in price for used iPhone in each marketplace and hope it will bring you some choices.

iPhone 6S

(Unlocked, good condition, Swappa average prices for January 2020)

Info source: Swappa Official Website

You might be surprised to find out that a used iPhone 6S still worth that much. Especially on Swappa, an iPhone 6S’s value can be around $128 while iPhone 6S Plus is at $172. That’s more than double the price offered by Apple, Best Buy, or Gazelle.

Price History

The iPhone 6S was officially launched in September 2015, along with the birth of larger sized iPhone 6S Plus. Official data shows that the original retail price for the iPhone 6S was $649 (16GB), $749 (64GB), and $849 (128GB), while the iPhone 6S Plus added $100 to those prices.

Although Apple has officially discontinued the iPhone 6S in 2018, iPhone 6S’s charm remains and has its market for those who want to experience and explore iPhones. Fancy design and low price make used iPhone the perfect choice for users who haven’t used the ISO system before or someone who just doesn’t want to follow the fashion trend.

iPhone 7

(Unlocked, good condition, Swappa average prices for January 2020)

Info source: Swappa Official Website

As introduced at the beginning, at present on Amazon a used iPhone 7 can still go for around $130 to sometimes over $180.

Well, it seems Swappa really has a better price for the same product. You might find out that a used iPhone 7(32GB) ‘s price is lower than $100, while the price can be $187 at Swappa. As for iPhone 7 Plus(32GB), Swappa’s offer can be $258 while other marketplaces offer was similar, at a price of $110 to $125.

Price History

The iPhone 7 was originally launched in 2016 with a retail price starting at $649 for 32GB, $749 for 128GB, and $849 for the 256GB model. After that, with the birth of the iPhone 8 in 2018, iPhone 7’s price was lower by $100.

Compared to iPhone 6, the three-year-old iPhone 7’s discontinued time was one-year later than iPhone 6. It was officially discontinued in 2019. But I was sure you can still find hundreds of models with a different color on different channels. To get the most money for your iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, you can compare the prices from different marketplaces and make a listing as soon as possible. After all, even it’s used iPhone, deprivation is inevitable.

Nevertheless, no matter which channel you might consider, you should keep in mind that the value of your used phone depends on your used iPhone condition, color, storage capacity, and whether it's locked to a carrier. Other than those factors, make sure you have unlocked it before selling it.

Why Is It A Different Story for Android Phones?

Firstly, it’s related to user experience. You might usually hear your friends saying, “I am so adapted to the iPhone now and don’t want to go back to the Android phone anymore.” Of course, low latency quick response and high resolution have always been the specialty of iPhone, even its a used iPhone.

As a user of iPhone and Android phone, I guess the reason mostly rely on the system used. Apple’s ISO system is pioneering and of creativity, which attaches hundreds of thousands of Apple fans and worldwide attention. The use of the iPhone even became a trend and a symbol of fashion to some extent.

What’s more, even a three-year-old iPhone 7 is compatible with software version IOS 13. A used iPhone with updated IOS, low price but the same experience. That might be the reason why a used iPhone still worth it.