How Much Is Your iPhone Worth in 2026? (And Why Right Now Is a Great Time to Sell)

If you have an iPhone sitting in a drawer — or you just upgraded to the iPhone 17 and haven't dealt with your old device yet — here's something worth knowing: you're probably sitting on more money than you think. And the window to get the most for it may be closing.

Apple officially announced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Duo — Apple’s first-ever foldable iPhone — today at the “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9th, 2026. New models start at $1,199 for the iPhone 18 Pro and $1,999 for the iPhone Duo. That means your iPhone 17 just became a used phone — and history is clear on what happens next: used iPhone prices drop 12–18% in the 30 days following a new launch. The best time to sell is right now, before that happens.

Here's exactly what your iPhone is worth today, and what actually affects that number.

What iPhones Are Worth Right Now (August 2026)

These are current buyback offer ranges for unlocked devices in good to excellent condition:

iPhone 17 Pro Max — Good: ~$880 | Excellent: up to $950+
iPhone 17 Pro — Good: ~$780 | Excellent: up to $801
iPhone 17 Air — Good: ~$560 | Excellent: up to $680
iPhone 17 — Good: ~$420 | Excellent: up to $520
iPhone 16 Pro Max — Good: ~$600 | Excellent: up to $750
iPhone 16 Pro — Good: ~$480 | Excellent: up to $600
iPhone 16 — Good: ~$280 | Excellent: up to $380
iPhone 15 Pro — Good: ~$300 | Excellent: up to $420
iPhone 15 — Good: ~$160 | Excellent: up to $240
iPhone 14 Pro — Good: ~$200 | Excellent: up to $300
iPhone 14 — Good: ~$120 | Excellent: up to $190
iPhone 13 — Good: ~$100 | Excellent: up to $160
iPhone 12 — Good: ~$60 | Excellent: up to $110

Offers vary by storage size, carrier lock status, and condition. Get your exact offer at BuyBackPros.com.

Why Right Now Is the Best Time to Sell Your iPhone 17

Apple officially announced the iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and the iPhone Duo — Apple's first-ever foldable iPhone — at the “Surprise and Shine” event on September 9th, 2026. The iPhone 18 Pro starts at $1,199, the Pro Max at $1,299, and the foldable iPhone Duo at $1,999. Pre-orders for the Pro models open September 12th, with devices available September 18th. The iPhone Duo is available October 23rd.

This is exactly the moment the pattern repeats. iPhones typically lose 12–18% of their resale value in the 30 days following a new launch. For an iPhone 17 Pro currently worth up to $801, that's $96–$144 at risk. For an iPhone 17 Pro Max worth up to $984, that's $118–$177 that could be gone within a month.

The window is right now — today, while demand for the 17 series is still strong and prices haven't dropped yet.

At Buy Back Pros, we also offer a 30-Day Price Lock. Accept your offer today and you have 30 full days to ship your device at that locked-in price. No rush. No risk of the number changing on you.

What Actually Affects Your iPhone's Value

1. Condition — The Biggest Factor

Condition is the single most important variable. A phone in excellent shape with no scratches and a perfect screen can fetch $150–$300 more than the same model with visible wear. Here's how we define conditions at Buy Back Pros:

New — Unused or like new. No signs of use whatsoever.
Excellent — Minimal use, no visible scratches, fully functional.
Good — Light wear, minor scratches, fully functional.
Fair — Noticeable wear or scratches, fully functional.
Poor — Heavy wear or significant damage, but still powers on.

Be honest about the condition you select. Our offers are based on what you tell us. Most orders process exactly as described, so accuracy upfront means a smoother experience for everyone.

2. Storage Size

More storage means more money. The difference between a 128GB and 256GB iPhone can be $50–$100. A 512GB or 1TB model commands even more. Check yours in Settings → General → About → Storage.

3. Carrier Lock Status

Unlocked iPhones are worth significantly more — sometimes $100–$200 more — than carrier-locked ones. Check in Settings → General → About → Carrier Lock. If it says "No SIM Restrictions," you're unlocked. If your account is paid off, contact your carrier — unlocking is usually free and takes 24–48 hours.

4. Timing

iPhones hold their value better than almost any other smartphone. But new launches change things fast. The iPhone 17 Pro currently fetches up to $801 at buyback. If a new model launches in September as expected and historical patterns hold, that same phone could be worth $760–$810 by October. Selling now locks in today's price.

Apple Trade-In vs. Selling to a Buyback Company

Apple's trade-in program is convenient — but convenience has a cost.

Apple Trade-In (iPhone 17 Pro): Up to ~$630 — store credit only, must be spent on Apple products
Buy Back Pros (iPhone 17 Pro): Up to $920 — real cash, paid next business day, spend it anywhere
Difference: Up to $290 more with Buy Back Pros

That gap is real money — and it's cash, not a credit locked to one store.

Carrier Trade-In Programs: Even Less

AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile trade-in programs often advertise impressive numbers — but almost always with strings attached. The headline value typically requires purchasing a new phone on a multi-year installment plan and staying on a specific rate plan. The real payout is usually dripped out over 24–36 months as monthly bill credits. That is not money in your pocket today.

At Buy Back Pros, you get paid the next business day — not $15 a month for the next three years.

How to Get the Most for Your iPhone

Follow these steps before you ship:

Back up your data. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → iCloud → iCloud Backup → Back Up Now. Or back up to your computer via Finder or iTunes.
Sign out of iCloud and disable Activation Lock. This is the most important step. Go to Settings → [Your Name] → Sign Out. Enter your Apple ID password. This removes Activation Lock so the next owner can use the device.
Erase your device. Go to Settings → General → Transfer or Reset iPhone → Erase All Content and Settings. Your device will wipe itself and return to factory settings.
Remove your SIM card if you're keeping your number or switching to a new phone.
Clean it up. Gently wipe down the screen and body. A clean phone makes a better impression during inspection.
Find your original box and accessories if you still have them. Original packaging can increase your offer.

Why Sell to Buy Back Pros?

We're a St. Louis-based electronics buyback company with an A+ BBB rating. Here's what makes us different:

Firm offer before you ship anything. The offer you see is the offer you get, as long as your device arrives as described. No surprises.
We handle the shipping. We send you a USPS label, a USPS QR code you can scan at any post office branch, or a UPS label. All free.
Certified data wipe. Every device gets a certified data wipe. Your personal information is gone before the device goes anywhere else.
Paid next business day. PayPal, Venmo, Cash App, eCheck, or paper check — your choice.

Getting an offer takes about 60 seconds. Search your device, pick your storage and condition, and you'll see a firm offer immediately — no commitment required.

Get My Offer at BuyBackPros.com →

Questions? Reach us at support@buybackpros.com or (314) 947-2221.

Buy Back Pros LLC is a BBB Accredited A+ business based in Creve Coeur, MO. We buy iPhones, iPads, Samsung Galaxy smartphones and tablets, MacBooks, Apple Watch, AirPods, and much more.