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Buying Guides20 Apr 2026Posted byLiam Harris

iPhone Resale Value in Australia: Complete Depreciation Guide (2026)

iPhone Resale Value in Australia: Complete Depreciation Guide (2026)

The new iPhone 17 starts at A$1,399 today. Most Australians will spend that, enjoy the phone for a year or two, then spend it again, without ever calculating what the first one was actually worth at trade-in.


That gap is the story. A new iPhone loses roughly 25–35% of its value in the first twelve months alone. By Year 3, more than half of what you paid has gone. This guide breaks down exactly where that money goes, when the biggest drops happen, and, more importantly, how to stop absorbing losses that the secondhand market has already priced in for you.


If you want to jump straight to the savings, browse refurbished iPhones at Phonebot.

How iPhone Depreciation Works

Three things drive an iPhone's value down over time.

Time. The older the device, the more buyers move toward newer alternatives, even when the older phone works perfectly.


Apple's September launch cycle. Every September, Apple announces a new iPhone lineup, and the previous generation drops in value almost immediately. When the iPhone 17 was announced on September 10, 2025, iPhone 16 listings on eBay Australia began sliding within 48 hours, not because anything changed about the phone, but because something newer had arrived.


iOS end-of-support. Apple supports iPhones with software updates for five to six years. When a model reaches end-of-support, resale value falls sharply as buyers move away from devices that no longer receive security patches.


iPhones depreciate more slowly than Android alternatives. Apple's long support window means buyers feel confident purchasing a two- or three-year-old iPhone knowing it still receives updates. Samsung's Galaxy flagships receive just four years of OS support, and resale values reflect that gap.

iPhone Depreciation Rate by Year

The iPhone 14 128GB is the ideal case study. It launched in September 2022 at A$1,299 and now has a verified 3.5-year price history in the Australian market.


Period

iPhone 14 128GB

iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB

What Drove It

Launch — Sep 2022

A$1,299

A$2,149

Full retail

Year 1 — Sep 2023

~A$850 (–35%)

~A$1,350 (–37%)

iPhone 15 launch

Year 2 — Sep 2024

~A$620 (–52%)

~A$970 (–55%)

iPhone 16 launch

Year 3 — Sep 2025

~A$480 (–63%)

~A$830 (–61%)

iPhone 17 launch

Now — Apr 2026

~A$550 private A$380 Phonebot trade-in

~A$875 private A$729 Phonebot refurb from

Current market


The steepest drop always happens in Year 1. By Year 3, a standard iPhone has lost over 60% of its original price. The important line on that chart is the dashed one. Phonebot's trade-in value today is what a buyer stepping into the curve at Year 3 effectively pays. That's the refurbished buyer's advantage. See refurbished iPhone 14 from A$529.



Which iPhone Models Hold Their Value Best in Australia?

Here's the full picture across current and recent models, launch price versus what the Australian market is paying today:


Model

Launch RRP

Resale — Apr 2026

Retained

Age

iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB

A$2,199

A$1,800–A$2,000

~85%

7 months

iPhone 17 Pro 256GB

A$1,999

A$1,600–A$1,800

~85%

7 months

iPhone 17 256GB

A$1,399

A$1,100–A$1,250

~82%

7 months

iPhone 17 Air 256GB

A$1,799

A$1,300–A$1,550

~80%

7 months

iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB

A$2,149

A$1,300–A$1,500

~62%

19 months

iPhone 16 256GB

A$1,299

A$800–A$950

~65%

19 months

iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB

A$2,199

A$1,000–A$1,200

~50%

31 months

iPhone 15 128GB

A$1,399

A$600–A$750

~50%

31 months

iPhone 14 Pro Max 256GB

A$2,149

A$800–A$950

~40%

43 months

iPhone 14 128GB

A$1,299

A$500–A$650

~42%

43 months

iPhone 13 128GB

A$1,199

A$320–A$420

~31%

55 months

Pro Max models lead at every stage, exclusive camera systems and stronger secondhand demand keep their floors higher than base models by around 5–10 percentage points at comparable ages.


The iPhone 17 Air is worth noting. Apple's ultra-slim 5.5mm replacement for the iPhone Plus created huge buzz at launch but sold below expectations, which is why you can already buy it refurbished from A$1,199 against a launch RRP of A$1,799. That A$600 gap is the largest saving in the current iPhone 17 lineup.

Refurbished Doesn't Mean Old Tech

Most Australians assume 'refurbished' means a scratched-up iPhone from three years ago. That assumption is costing them money.

Phones enter the refurbished supply chain within 60 days of launch, through customer returns, cancelled pre-orders, open-box units, and early trade-ins from upgraders who switched the moment the iPhone 17 went on sale. It's now April 2026, and the iPhone 17 launched in September 2025. You can buy a refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max right now, with a 12-month warranty, for A$200 less than Apple charges for a new one.


Model

Phonebot From

Apple New RRP

You Save

iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB

A$1,999

A$2,199

A$200 — 9% off

iPhone 17 Pro 256GB

A$1,799

A$1,999

A$200 — 10% off

iPhone 17 256GB

A$1,269

A$1,399

A$130 — 9% off

iPhone 17 Air 256GB

A$1,199

A$1,799

A$600 — 33% off ★


Every device has passed Phonebot's 72-point inspection and is graded on condition — Open Box and Like New are virtually indistinguishable from new, while Grade A may carry minor cosmetic marks not visible at arm's length. All grades come with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. Shop iPhone 17 at Phonebot.

When iPhone Prices Drop Fastest

Apple's annual launch creates a highly predictable pricing cycle. In the 30 days surrounding Apple's September event, prices for outgoing models fall 8–15% as owners rush to sell. We saw this in real time in 2025: iPhone 16 listings on Gumtree and eBay Australia started sliding from the moment the iPhone 17 was announced on September 10, 2025.



Best time to sell: July–August, four to six weeks before Apple's event, when values are at their seasonal peak. Timing your sale to August instead of October can realistically mean A$100–A$200 more in your pocket. Get an instant trade-in quote from Phonebot, payment within 1–3 business days, no listing required.

Most Traded-In iPhones in Australia Right Now

The iPhone 17 launch triggered the largest trade-in wave in Australia since the iPhone 15 release. The most commonly traded-in models are the iPhone 15, iPhone 14, and iPhone 13, as owners moved to the new lineup. What that means for buyers is straightforward: peak depreciation on these models has passed, the value floor is stable, and Phonebot has strong stock at competitive prices.


Model

Phonebot Trade-In Payout

Phonebot Refurb From

iPhone 16 128GB

A$700

A$999

iPhone 15 128GB

A$580

A$729

iPhone 14 128GB

A$380

A$529

iPhone 13 128GB

A$280

A$519

If you're sitting on an iPhone 15 or 16 and weighing an upgrade, act before September 2026, when the next announcement will soften values again. Browse refurbished iPhone 15 at Phonebot from A$729, or refurbished iPhone 16 from A$999.

iPhone vs Android: Which Holds Value Better in Australia?

iPhones depreciate more slowly than Android flagships, and the gap shows up clearly in the Australian secondhand market. The core reason is software support length. Apple supports iPhones for 5–6 years. Samsung provides 4 years of OS updates for Galaxy flagships. Google offers 7 years on Pixel, which is impressive on paper, but lower Australian brand recognition keeps Pixel resale demand and prices softer than comparable iPhones.


Model

Launch RRP

Phonebot From

Saving vs New

OS Support

iPhone 15 128GB

A$1,399

A$729

A$670 (48%)

~5–6 yrs

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra

~A$2,199

A$1,299

~A$900 (41%)

4 yrs

Google Pixel 9 Pro XL

~A$1,649

A$779

~A$870 (53%)

7 yrs


Even with larger upfront savings, Android flagships face a harder resale market in Australia at comparable ages, which affects their long-term cost equation. iPhones lost just 22.35% of their value over the past year, the lowest depreciation rate of any major smartphone brand globally.

Same Phone, Lower Price — The Refurbished Advantage

Buying refurbished doesn't mean buying less. It means buying the same phone at a lower entry point, which directly reduces your net cost even when the trade-in outcome is identical.


Here's the proof. Both buyers purchased an iPhone 17 Pro Max today. One buys new from Apple, one buys refurbished from Phonebot. One year later, both sell, same model, same age, same wear, same trade-in offer.


New iPhone 17 Pro Max

Refurbished iPhone 17 Pro Max — Phonebot

Purchase Price

A$2,199

A$1,999

Trade-In After 1 Year

~A$1,500

~A$1,500

Net Cost

A$699

A$499

You Save

—

A$200 — same phone, same outcome


The trade-in value is the same because the phone is the same. The only difference is the A$200 you didn't spend at the Apple Store. That's the entire argument, and it holds for every model Phonebot stock.



All Phonebot refurbished iPhones come with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. New to buying refurbished? Read our complete refurbished buying guide before you decide.

Final Thoughts

Every iPhone depreciates, even the A$2,199 iPhone 17 Pro Max sitting on the shelf today. What changes is whether you're the person absorbing that Year 1 loss, or the person who buys after it's already happened.


Sell in July or August before Apple's September event. Buy refurbished to step into the curve after the steepest drops. Choose Pro Max if resale value matters to you. And if the idea of paying A$1,269 for a warrantied refurbished iPhone 17 instead of A$1,399 for a new one makes sense, it should, because it is.

Posted by Liam Harris

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Liam Harris

Liam Harris

I’m Liam Harris, a tech writer at Phonebot with a passion for technology. I provide trusted insights on refurbished phones, tablets, and accessories, focusing on quality, sustainability, and affordability. With a solid understanding of the refurbished market, I offer practical tips, product comparisons, and the latest tech updates to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to connect you with high-quality devices that fit your budget and lifestyle. Stay tuned for more on the best in refurbished tech here at Phonebot.