If you’re sitting on an older iPhone, timing your sale can make a bigger difference than you think. iPhone resale values in New Zealand move in clear, predictable cycles — and choosing the right moment can mean hundreds more in your pocket.

Here’s the definitive guide to the best times of year to sell your iPhone in NZ, why prices shift, and how to get the most value for your device.

Why Timing Matters for iPhone Resale Value

iPhones hold their value better than any other smartphone brand — but they still follow a pattern:

• New releases cause older models to dip
• School and holiday seasons increase demand
• Trade-in promotions influence the second-hand market
• Supply and demand fluctuate around Christmas
• NZ’s upgrade cycle drives more selling at the same time

Understanding when demand is highest (and supply is lowest) is the key to maximising what you can earn.

The Best Times of Year to Sell Your iPhone in NZ

“iPhone prices typically drop 10–20% within 2–4 weeks after a new iPhone is announced.“

1. Late July to Early September — The Peak Window

This is the sweet spot.

Why?
Because iPhone launch season is mid-September. In the weeks leading up to it:

• People want to sell before the “new model drop”
• Buyers want something reasonably new but not full price
• Prices are at their most stable
• Demand is strong because people want to avoid paying RRP for last year’s model

iPhone prices typically drop 10–20% within 2–4 weeks after a new iPhone is announced.

So selling before launch season = the most money in your pocket.

2. Late January to February — Back-to-School & Post-Holiday Demand

After Christmas, lots of Kiwis:

• Need a reliable phone for school or uni
• Want to upgrade after holiday spending dries up
• Prefer to buy used instead of brand new
• Replace devices damaged during summer adventures (classic)

Demand spikes = higher resale prices.

If you didn’t sell before Christmas, this is the next best window.

3. November–December — Pre-Christmas Buyers Are Everywhere

A great time because:

• People buy iPhones as gifts
• Teens get upgrades
• Shoppers hunt for deals instead of paying full retail
• Stock shortages on new iPhones push buyers to used

Prices don’t peak as high as pre-launch season, but demand is huge and phones sell fast.

4. March–April — Steady Market With Less Competition

By autumn, the post-release slump has settled.

This is when:

• Fewer people are selling
• Prices stabilise
• Buyers want 1–2-year-old models at a good price

Not a “peak” period, but a safe and stable one.

The Worst Times to Sell Your iPhone

1. Immediately After a New iPhone Launch (Mid-September to October)

This is when prices hit their lowest point.

Everyone is upgrading → everyone is selling → oversupply.

A newly released iPhone can drop older model resale values by 10–20% almost overnight.

2. When Apple Announces “End of Support” for a Model

E.g., if your device stops receiving iOS updates.

Buyers worry about security and app compatibility → prices drop sharply.

3. When a Major Sale Event Is On

Like Boxing Day or Black Friday.

Retailers drop prices on new devices, so used phone prices slip too.

So… When Should You Sell?

If you want to maximise your resale value:

🏆 Best overall time:

Late July → Early September

🏅 Second-best:

Late January → February

👌 Safe/stable:

November–December and March–April

If you’re months away from these windows, it’s still better to sell sooner — tech only goes one direction in value!