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Sell & Trade-In Guide19 Jun 2026Posted byLiam Harris

How Much Value Does an iPhone Lose After 1 Year in Australia?

How Much Value Does an iPhone Lose After 1 Year in Australia?

A brand-new iPhone loses more of its value in the first twelve months than almost anywhere else in its life, and nearly all of that loss is squeezed into one short window. In the Australian market, a current-generation iPhone typically sheds 30ā€“40% of its purchase price in its first year, with the single steepest drop landing each September when Apple launches the next model.

This guide breaks down exactly what an iPhone is worth one year on, using the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 as worked examples, then shows you how to keep more of that money. For the full multi-year picture across every model, see ourĀ iPhone resale value guide.

How Much an iPhone Is Worth After 1 Year

After 12 months, a typical iPhone in Australia holds roughly 60ā€“70% of its original RRP. Three things drive that:

  • Apple's September launch cycle. The biggest single fall, around 8ā€“15%, happens in the weeks surrounding the release of the next generation. We cover the exact timing inĀ the best time to sell your iPhone.

  • The model and storage tier. Pro and Pro Max variants hold value better than base models, and higher storage tiers return more at resale.
  • Condition. Screen, body, and battery health move the final payout by hundreds of dollars.

Why iPhones Depreciate Fastest in the First Year

Depreciation is not a straight line. An iPhone loses value fastest the moment it stops being the newest model, and slows down after that. Three forces stack up in year one:

The new-model effect. The day Apple announces the next iPhone, the previous generation becomes "last year's phone." Nothing about the device changes, but demand shifts instantly. When the iPhone 17 was announced in September 2025, iPhone 16 listings on eBay and Gumtree Australia began sliding within 48 hours.

Supply surge. That same launch pushes thousands of upgraders to sell at once. More supply, flat demand, lower prices, and the dip takes six to eight weeks to recover.

It still has full software life ahead. A one-year-old iPhone still receives four to five more years of iOS updates, which is exactly why it remains attractive on the secondhand market and why iPhones depreciate more slowly than Android flagships. The loss in year one is about novelty, not capability.

iPhone 15 Resale Value After 12 MonthsĀ 

The iPhone 15 (128GB) launched in Australia in September 2023 at an RRP of A$1,499. Twelve months later, as the iPhone 16 arrived in September 2024, its resale value had fallen to roughly A$950ā€“A$1,050, a first-year loss of around 30ā€“37%.

Today, the iPhone 15 sits deeper into its curve, with Phonebot trade-in payouts and refurbished iPhone 15 pricing reflecting a model now past its second birthday.Ā 

iPhone 16 Resale Value After 12 MonthsĀ 

The iPhone 16 (128GB) launched in September 2024 at A$1,399,Ā A$100 less than the iPhone 15 before it. By the time the iPhone 17 launched in September 2025, the iPhone 16 had settled at roughly A$900ā€“A$1,000 in the Australian market, a first-year loss in the region of 29ā€“36%.

Worth noting: global trackers actually recorded the iPhone 16 depreciating faster than the iPhone 15 in some markets, as Apple's year-on-year upgrades narrowed and buyers anchored to lower launch and carrier pricing. Australia held the line better than most, helped by strong demand forĀ refurbished iPhone 16.

What Affects How Much Value an iPhone Loses

Two iPhones of the same model and age can be worth A$200ā€“A$300 apart. These are the variables that move the number:

  • Storage tier. A 256GB or 512GB model returns more than the 128GB base ā€” often A$50ā€“A$150 more at the same age and condition.
  • Pro vs base. Pro and Pro Max variants retain value 5ā€“10 percentage points better at comparable ages, thanks to their camera systems and sustained secondhand demand.
  • Condition. Cracked screens, rear-camera glass damage, and deep scratches all reduce the grade. Keeping the phone in good shape is the cheapest way to protect your payout ā€” seeĀ how to prepare your iPhone for trade-in.
  • Battery health. A battery at 90% or above sits in the top tier for resale; below 80% pulls the value down.
  • Carrier lock. A device still locked to Telstra, Optus, or Vodafone returns around 10ā€“15% less than an unlocked equivalent. Carriers unlock for free once your contract obligations are met.

First-Year iPhone Depreciation by Model (Australia)

A snapshot of where recent iPhones land roughly twelve months after launch, against their Australian RRP:

Model (128GB)

Launch RRP

~Value at 12 Months

~Retained

iPhone 14

A$1,399

~A$850

~61%

iPhone 15

A$1,499

~A$950ā€“A$1,050

~63ā€“70%

iPhone 16

A$1,399

~A$900ā€“A$1,000

~64ā€“71%

Figures are indicative of the Australian secondhand market around the 12-month mark. For a live, model-specific number on your exact device, get a current trade-in quote on the Phonebot sell page.

How to Reduce iPhone Depreciation in Year One

  • Sell before September. Listing in July or August, ahead of Apple's event, can mean A$100ā€“A$200 more than selling in October, the single weakest month for resale.
  • Keep it in good condition. A case, a screen protector, and a healthy battery protect the grade that decides your payout.
  • Unlock it early. Request a carrier unlock before you sell so you don't leave 10ā€“15% on the table.
  • Trade in instead of listing privately. A trade-in skips the haggling, no-shows, and listing fees.Ā Get an instant quote with Phonebot, with free shipping and payment within 1ā€“3 business days.

Buying Refurbished to Skip First-Year Depreciation

If year-one depreciation is the most expensive stretch of an iPhone's life, the obvious move is to not be the person paying for it. Buying a refurbished iPhone means stepping into the curve after the steepest drop has already happened ā€” the same phone, the same remaining software life, at a materially lower entry price.

That lower entry point also reduces your own future loss: when you eventually resells, you're selling from a smaller starting figure, so fewer dollars are at risk. Every Phonebot refurbished iPhone is graded after a 72-point inspection and comes with a 12-month warranty and 30-day returns. Browse the full range ofĀ refurbished iPhones at Phonebot to step into the curve after the steepest drop has already passed.

Posted by Liam Harris

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Liam Harris

Liam Harris

Iā€™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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much value does an iPhone lose in the first year?

In Australia, a current-generation iPhone typically loses 30ā€“40% of its RRP in the first 12 months, retaining roughly 60ā€“70% of its purchase price. Most of that loss is concentrated around the September launch of the next model.


Which holds value better after a year, the iPhone 15 or iPhone 16?

Both land in a similar band after 12 months in Australia, around 63ā€“71% retained. Globally, some trackers recorded the iPhone 16 depreciating slightly faster than the iPhone 15, as year-on-year upgrades narrowed, though strong Australian refurbished demand kept the gap small.


Is it worth selling an iPhone after one year?

It can be, if you sell before the September launch window when values peak. Waiting until October, when the new model ships and supply surges, can cost you A$100ā€“A$200 on the same device.


Do Pro models lose less value than base models?

Yes. iPhone Pro and Pro Max variants hold value around 5ā€“10 percentage points better than base models at comparable ages, driven by their camera systems and sustained secondhand demand.


How can I find out what my iPhone is worth right now?

Phonebot's instant trade-in quote gives a live, model- and condition-specific figure in under two minutes, with free shipping and fast payment.