Introduction
Buying a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone can save you a lot of money compared with buying a new one. But choosing the right model is only part of getting a good deal. When you buy can also make a difference.
Refurbished iPhone prices can change throughout the year as new models are released, consumers upgrade their phones, and retailers run seasonal promotions. While there is no single day that guarantees the lowest price, some times of the year are better for shopping than others.
Based on our experience with the Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone market, September and November are two of the best times of the year to buy a refurbished iPhone.
Quick Answer: What Is the Best Time of Year to Buy a Refurbished iPhone?
September is generally the best time of year to shop for a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone. This is when Apple typically launches its new iPhone generation, which can create more buying opportunities for previous-generation models.
November is our second choice because Black Friday and Cyber Monday can bring additional promotions and increased competition among retailers.
| Time of Year |
Buying Opportunity |
UpTrade Recommendation |
| January – March |
Normal |
Buy if you find a good deal |
| April – May |
Good |
Watch for price drops and promotions |
| June – August |
Normal |
Consider waiting if September is close |
| September |
Excellent |
#1 Best Time to Shop |
| October |
Good |
Compare post-launch prices |
| November |
Excellent |
#2 Best Time to Shop |
| December |
Good |
Compare holiday deals |
That does not mean you should always wait until September or November. If you need a phone now and find the right Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone at a good price, waiting several months just to potentially save a little more may not make sense.
However, if September or Black Friday is only a few weeks away, waiting can give you more options before making your purchase.
Why September Is the Best Time to Buy a Refurbished iPhone
September is our top choice because it is typically when Apple introduces its new iPhone generation.
A new iPhone launch affects more than just shoppers interested in buying the latest model. It can also create a chain reaction throughout the used and refurbished iPhone market.
When a new generation arrives, many existing iPhone owners decide to upgrade. Some trade in their current phones, while others sell them. Over time, more previous-generation devices can enter the secondary market and eventually become available as Certified Used / Refurbished phones.
At the same time, an iPhone that was recently considered one of Apple's newest models becomes a previous-generation model. Older generations move another step down the lineup, which can create better buying opportunities for shoppers who do not need the latest iPhone.
This is why September is an especially useful time to compare several generations instead of focusing on just one model.
Black Friday Is Another Great Time to Buy a Refurbished iPhone
If you miss the September buying window, Black Friday in November is another excellent time to shop for a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone.
The reason is slightly different. September is mainly influenced by Apple's new iPhone cycle and consumers upgrading their devices. November is driven more by holiday shopping, retailer competition, and promotional offers.
Black Friday is followed closely by Cyber Monday, so shoppers may see different offers throughout the long Thanksgiving shopping weekend rather than on just one day.
However, a Black Friday label does not automatically mean you are getting the best deal. A large advertised discount can look impressive, but the final price is what really matters.
Compare the actual purchase price across different Certified Used / Refurbished options, and also compare nearby iPhone generations. Sometimes a newer model may cost only slightly more than an older one.
Clarification: Refurbished iPhone Prices Can Drop Throughout the Year
September and November are two of the best times to shop for a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone, but that does not mean prices only drop during these two months.
Refurbished iPhone prices can continue to decline throughout the year. The difference is that the price drop may be larger around major buying periods such as the September new iPhone launch and Black Friday in November, while changes during other months may be smaller.
For example, an iPhone could drop slightly during a normal month and then experience a larger adjustment after a new iPhone generation is released. The exact timing and size of the drop will vary by model, inventory, and market demand.
Therefore, you should think of September and November as two particularly good buying windows rather than the only times when refurbished iPhone prices fall.
Newer iPhones Usually Have More Room to Drop
Another important factor is the age of the iPhone. In general, newer refurbished iPhones have more room for their prices to drop, while older models tend to see smaller declines.
This makes sense because newer models start at much higher prices. As they get older and newer generations arrive, they have more room to depreciate.
Older iPhones are different. Once a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone has already become very inexpensive, its price may decline much more slowly or remain around the same level for an extended period.
Based on our experience with the Certified Used / Refurbished market, around $100 is often close to the practical floor for an older iPhone sold by a professional seller.
Professional sellers have costs beyond simply acquiring the phone. A device may need to be inspected, tested, cleaned, repaired or refurbished, graded, packaged, shipped, and supported after the sale. Sellers also need enough margin to operate a sustainable business.
Because of these costs, a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone usually cannot continue depreciating toward $0 at the same rate forever.
| Age / Price Stage |
Typical Price Behavior |
| Newer Refurbished iPhone |
More room for meaningful price drops |
| Mid-Life Refurbished iPhone |
Price can continue declining, usually more gradually |
| Older Refurbished iPhone |
Smaller price drops or relatively stable pricing |
| Around $100 |
Often approaching the practical floor for professional sellers |
| Very Old iPhone |
Certified inventory may eventually become limited or disappear |
This also explains why very old iPhones do not necessarily become available as $30 or $50 Certified Refurbished phones. In some cases, professional sellers may simply stop carrying the model because there is no longer enough economic value in refurbishing and selling it.
Although the Price Keeps Dropping, Should You Wait?
Usually, no. Waiting a few weeks for September or Black Friday can make sense. Waiting several years just for an iPhone to become cheaper usually does not.
In general, an iPhone will become cheaper as it gets older. If you wait long enough, a model that costs several hundred dollars today could eventually approach the roughly $100 price range.
But there is an obvious problem: you may have to wait years to get there.
During those years, the iPhone you wanted will also become older. It will have fewer years of software support remaining, its hardware will be further behind newer models, and Certified Used / Refurbished inventory may eventually become more limited.
More importantly, the rest of the iPhone market does not stand still while you wait. Newer models are depreciating too.
For example, suppose you decide not to buy a $300 refurbished iPhone because you want to wait until it reaches $150. By the time that happens, a much newer iPhone may also have dropped into the $200 to $250 range. At that point, paying a little more for the newer model could provide much better value.
That is why we do not recommend trying to wait for the absolute lowest possible price. Instead, look for the point when the iPhone you want offers good value compared with the models immediately above and below it.
If September or Black Friday is only a few weeks away, waiting may be worthwhile. If you need a phone now or would have to wait many months or years for a lower price, buying a good Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone at a reasonable price usually makes more sense.
Conclusion: When Is the Best Time to Buy a Refurbished iPhone?
Based on our experience, September is generally the best time of year to buy a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone, followed by Black Friday in November.
September is especially important because Apple typically launches a new iPhone generation around this time. As consumers upgrade and older models move down the iPhone lineup, shoppers may find better buying opportunities on previous-generation devices. November provides another strong buying window as Black Friday and Cyber Monday bring increased retailer competition and promotions.
However, refurbished iPhone prices can drop throughout the year. September and November may bring larger price adjustments, but smaller declines can happen during other months as well.
Newer iPhones also tend to have more room to drop, while older models usually decline more slowly. Once a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone approaches roughly $100, it may be close to the practical price floor for professional sellers. Very old models may eventually disappear from Certified Refurbished inventory rather than becoming dramatically cheaper.
Most importantly, don't wait years just to get the lowest possible price. While the iPhone you want is getting cheaper, newer iPhones are getting cheaper too. By the time your model reaches its lowest price, a much newer model may offer better value for only a little more money.
If September or Black Friday is only a few weeks away, waiting can make sense. Otherwise, focus less on perfectly timing the market and more on finding the right iPhone at a good price compared with the models around it.
When you are ready to buy, UpTrade can help you compare Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones from trusted professional sellers in one place. Instead of checking different sellers individually, you can compare available options and find the iPhone that offers the best value for your budget.
The best time to buy a refurbished iPhone is not necessarily when it reaches its absolute lowest price. It is when the model offers the best combination of price, age, features, and remaining useful life for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the best time of year to buy a refurbished iPhone?
Based on our experience, September is generally the best time of year to buy a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone. Apple typically launches a new iPhone generation around September, which can create better buying opportunities for previous-generation models. Black Friday in November is our second choice.
2. What month are refurbished iPhones usually cheapest?
There is no single month when every refurbished iPhone is guaranteed to reach its lowest price. However, September and November are two of the best months to shop. Prices can also continue to decline during other months of the year.
3. Do refurbished iPhone prices drop after a new iPhone is released?
They can. When Apple releases a new iPhone generation, many consumers upgrade their phones, which can eventually increase the supply of previous-generation devices in the used and refurbished market. Older iPhone generations also move another step down the lineup, creating opportunities for lower prices.
4. Should I wait until September to buy a refurbished iPhone?
If September is only a few weeks away and you do not need a replacement phone immediately, waiting can make sense. However, if September is still several months away and you find the right iPhone at a good price, there may be little reason to wait.
5. Is Black Friday a good time to buy a refurbished iPhone?
Yes. Black Friday in November is one of our favorite times to shop for a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone. Retailer competition, Black Friday promotions, and Cyber Monday offers can create good buying opportunities. However, always compare the final purchase price instead of relying only on the advertised discount.
6. Do refurbished iPhone prices drop throughout the year?
Yes. Refurbished iPhone prices can decline throughout the year. September and November may bring larger price adjustments, while price drops during other months may be smaller. The exact change depends on the model, age, supply, and demand.
7. Do newer refurbished iPhones drop in price faster than older iPhones?
In general, newer refurbished iPhones have more room for meaningful price drops because they start at higher prices. Older models have already experienced much of their depreciation, so their prices may decline more slowly or remain relatively stable.
8. What is the lowest price a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone can reach?
There is no fixed minimum price, but based on our experience, around $100 is often close to the practical floor for an older iPhone sold by a professional seller. Sellers still have costs for testing, refurbishment, grading, packaging, shipping, customer service, warranties, and other parts of operating their businesses. Very old models may eventually disappear from Certified Refurbished inventory instead of becoming dramatically cheaper.
9. Should I wait for a refurbished iPhone to get cheaper?
Waiting a few weeks for a major buying period such as September or Black Friday can make sense, but waiting years usually does not. While the iPhone you want becomes cheaper, it also becomes older, and newer iPhones are getting cheaper at the same time. Focus on finding good value rather than waiting for the absolute lowest possible price.
10. Where can I compare Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone prices?
You can use UpTrade to compare Certified Used / Refurbished iPhones from trusted professional sellers in one place. Comparing different models and sellers can help you find the iPhone that offers the best value for your budget.
Sale
