Thinking about selling your iPhone? Before you get a quote, it helps to understand what drives trade-in values and what kind of figure you can realistically expect in 2026. This guide breaks down every key factor affecting your iPhone’s worth, provides indicative price ranges by model and condition, and shares tips to maximise your payout.
What Determines Your iPhone’s Trade-In Value?
1. Model and Generation
The single biggest factor is which iPhone you have. Apple releases new models every autumn, and each new generation causes previous models to depreciate. Newer supported iPhone generations often attract stronger demand than much older models, but current value still depends on the exact device and condition. Older models like the iPhone 11 still have a trade-in value, but it is considerably lower.
2. Storage Capacity
Higher storage tiers are worth more. An iPhone 15 Pro with 512GB storage commands a meaningfully higher price than the same model with 128GB. This is because buyers pay a premium for higher storage on the secondary market. If you bought a high-storage model, this is good news for your trade-in.
3. Physical Condition
Condition is the second-most important factor after model. A clean fully working iPhone will normally be assessed differently from the same model with a cracked screen or significant body damage. Buyers on the refurbished market pay a premium for Grade A (like-new) devices.
4. Network Lock Status
An unlocked iPhone is worth more than a network-locked one because it can be used on any carrier globally, expanding the resale market. If your iPhone is locked to a network, it will still have a trade-in value — just slightly lower.
5. Battery Health
iPhones with a battery health above 85% (Settings > Battery > Battery Health) are considered to have good battery life remaining. Batteries below 80% health are more likely to need replacing soon, which reduces the device’s appeal on the secondary market and therefore its trade-in value.
Indicative iPhone Trade-In Value Ranges — UK 2026
The figures below are indicative ranges only, based on typical UK buyback market pricing in mid-2026. Actual prices vary by exact storage, colour, condition and real-time market rates. Always get a live quote for an accurate figure.
| Model | Working — Good (est.) | Faulty — Cracked Screen (est.) |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 16 Pro Max (256GB) | £750 – £900 | £400 – £550 |
| iPhone 16 Pro (128GB) | £620 – £760 | £330 – £450 |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | £480 – £590 | £240 – £330 |
| iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) | £580 – £720 | £300 – £420 |
| iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) | £480 – £600 | £250 – £360 |
| iPhone 15 (128GB) | £350 – £440 | £180 – £250 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max (128GB) | £380 – £480 | £190 – £270 |
| iPhone 14 (128GB) | £230 – £300 | £110 – £170 |
| iPhone 13 Pro (128GB) | £280 – £360 | £140 – £200 |
| iPhone 13 (128GB) | £190 – £250 | £90 – £140 |
| iPhone 12 (64GB) | £110 – £160 | £50 – £90 |
| iPhone 11 (64GB) | £70 – £110 | £30 – £60 |
Tips to Get the Most Money for Your iPhone
Sell Before the New iPhone Launch
Apple announces new iPhones every September, and new model announcements can put downward pressure on older-device values, but the size and timing of any change varies with market demand. If you’re planning to upgrade, the best time to sell your current iPhone is in July or August, before the depreciation hit. Read our dedicated post on the best time to sell your iPhone for a full analysis.
Ensure It’s Properly Wiped and Unlocked
Sign out of iCloud and turn off Find My iPhone before posting. An iPhone with Activation Lock still active cannot be processed. For full instructions, see our guide on how to wipe your iPhone before selling.
Be Accurate About Condition
Describe your iPhone’s condition honestly when getting your quote. Overstating condition can lead to a revised valuation on arrival, while an accurate description reduces the chance of an unexpected change after inspection.
Don’t Wait Too Long
The longer you leave an old iPhone sitting in a drawer, the less it’s worth. Depreciation is continuous, even if gradual. If you no longer need the old iPhone, checking its current value now gives you a better basis for a decision than trying to predict one perfect selling date.
Find out exactly what your iPhone is worth right now. Check your current phone trade-in options using the live device search.
How to judge the current value of your iPhone
A useful valuation starts with facts that can be checked: the exact model, storage, condition and whether the phone functions normally. Market demand then determines how strongly those features translate into a current trade-in amount. This is why an old example price can become misleading even when the article itself remains useful. If you are making a decision today, use the live phone catalogue and choose the exact device rather than assuming a figure quoted for another storage or condition still applies.
Condition deserves particular attention because two identical models can have very different practical reuse costs. A clean display, reliable cameras and charging, normal buttons and a usable battery generally make a device easier to reuse. Cracks, functional faults, account locks or major housing damage can reduce that flexibility. The condition guide gives a consistent way to describe those differences before inspection.
Compare convenience, certainty and effort as well as the headline price
A private marketplace, network trade-in and specialist phone buyback service can produce different outcomes because they involve different amounts of work and risk. A private sale may let you set an asking price, but you can also spend time taking photographs, writing a listing, answering questions, negotiating, arranging collection or postage and dealing with payment or return disputes. A structured buyback service trades some of that flexibility for a defined device, condition and inspection process.
The best route depends on what matters to you. Compare the current net amount you expect to receive, the time you are willing to spend and how comfortable you are managing a private buyer. Avoid comparing an optimistic listing price with a confirmed trade-in amount as if they are the same thing.