Best day to trade in your iPhone before September's product drop to get maximum cash back
It's nearly that time of the year again, and as Apple gears up to reveal its latest lineup of phones amid protests that we don't need to upgrade, we'll soon be waving our money at the tech giant and recreating Futurama's 'shut up and take my money' meme.
You might be even more tempted to upgrade in 2026, especially with it looking increasingly likely that the folding iPhone Ultra will launch and bring years of speculation to a close. That gets even more complicated in itself, especially with whispers that folding iPhone could be delayed to 2027, or that only the premium iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max will be released in September 2026, as the standard iPhone 18 model will also be pushed to next year.
Why do iPhones drop in value when a new model is announced?
Timing is crucial for when to trade in your old phone, because if you go too early, you could be left without a device, but if you go too late, you might be missing out on some serious dollars.
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Even though there's the official Apple Trade In program, it's said that Apple offers between 15 and 30% less than what you can get from third-party buyers.
The problem is, the release of a new product also encourages more people to think about trading in their older models for the shiny new one, meaning the market is also flooded with an abundance of iPhones, iPads, and Apple Watches.
In terms of the Apple Trade In program, Apple Magazine reminds us that the estimated trade-in value is only valid for 14 days after you get the new device. Your old model must arrive within that period, and it has to match the condition you're given a quoted price for.
Going down this route at least means that you won't be left out in the cold without a device, but as we previously said, it's typically not the best deal.
Carriers themselves can offer substantially more, although you're warned that credit tends to be distributed across your monthly bills rather than delivered in a lump sum. There are also more factors than just condition in play, including wireless plans, length of service, and previous financing agreements.
Remember, moving to a more expensive service to get a better trade-in deal can wipe out any potential benefits.
What is the best date to trade in your iPhone in 2026?
For those underestimating the importance of timing, the iPhone 16 lost around 20% of its trade-in value as soon as the 17 was released, meaning customers were losing out on up to $150.
Apple Magazine claims the 'safest' trade-in window is just before the expected launch. While checking for estimates and comparing offers, ensure you've got a current backup and don't erase your data to prepare your device for trade-in until your new one has arrived.
Removing all your information correctly will also disable your Find My and Activation Lock, which can also be stumbling blocks in getting your promised price during inspection.
If you're planning on waiting it out, iPhone launches are often accompanied by new carrier promotions, so if you miss that two-week window, you might be best holding on.
Crunching the numbers, 14 days before a new phone is released appears to be the magic sweet spot you should be looking to trade in your old iPhone.
The problem is, we don't know when the iPhone 18 will be released.
Forbes has put its investigator's hat on and suggests that September 9 could be the big day in terms of the Apple reveal event. September 8 was originally floated, but with Apple never holding a Keynote the day after Labor Day, the ninth seems to fit the bill.
After that, pre-order dates are pencilled in for September 12, obviously avoiding the historical tragedy of September 11.
Finally, Forbes thinks September 14 will be the big day the iPhone 18 Pro is released into the wild.
Taking all of this into account, August 31 is the all-important date savvy shoppers will want to keep in mind when looking for trade-in offers.
Of course, we need to take all of this with a big pinch of salt, as we haven't got our crystal balls and don't know when the next iPhone is being released.
Importantly, trade-in values on older iPhones can't be judged on the condition of a device alone, so there's a lot to think about here.