When is the best time to buy a refurbished iPhone in 2026?
At UpTrade, our analytics team reviewed over 1 million pricing data points from 2025, tracking Certified Used and Refurbished iPhones across trusted sellers like Apple, Amazon, and Best Buy. This includes models ranging from the iPhone 8, X, XR, and XS series all the way to the iPhone 15 lineup, as well as the iPhone SE series.
If you’ve been following iPhone pricing trends, you might expect the biggest price drops to happen in September during Apple’s annual iPhone launch. That was true in previous years — but 2025 told a different story.
Instead of a sharp drop in the fall, pricing trends shifted earlier in the year, with more gradual and consistent declines driven by supply and demand in the refurbished market.
This creates an important question for buyers:
👉 Should you wait for traditional deal seasons, or buy earlier in the year?
In this guide, we break down exactly when refurbished iPhone prices dropped in 2025, what that means for 2026, and how to time your purchase to get the best deal.
👉 The best time to buy a refurbished iPhone in 2026 is April and May.
Based on UpTrade’s 2025 data:
These were the biggest monthly declines of the entire year.
You should also keep an eye on:
Don’t wait too long chasing the “perfect” month.
Refurbished iPhone prices declined steadily throughout 2025 at an average of -1.13% per month, meaning good deals can appear at any time.
👉 If you see a good deal on a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone, it’s usually better to buy it rather than wait.
To identify the best time to buy a refurbished iPhone in 2026, the UpTrade Analytics Team analyzed over 1 million pricing data points collected throughout 2025.
This dataset was built using our internal price-tracking system, which monitors Certified Used and Refurbished iPhones from trusted sellers, including but not limited to Apple Certified Refurbished, Amazon Renewed, and Best Buy.
Our analysis includes:
We focused exclusively on:
For each model, we tracked:
By aggregating this data, we were able to identify when prices drop the most, how consistent those drops are, and whether traditional “deal seasons” still hold true.
👉 The result: a clear, data-backed view of how refurbished iPhone pricing actually behaves — not just assumptions based on new iPhone launches.
If you’ve followed iPhone pricing trends in the past, you might expect September to be the best time to buy, driven by Apple’s annual iPhone launch.
That pattern held true in 2023 and 2024.
But in 2025, the market behaved differently. (See Chart A - Price Change by Month)
(Data Source: UpTrade, https://uptradeit.com)
You may use or share this chart with proper attribution. Please include a link back to UpTrade as the original source.
Unlike previous years, September 2025 did not see a significant price drop in the refurbished market.
Instead of a sharp decline tied to new iPhone releases, pricing remained relatively stable during the fall.
👉 This suggests that the refurbished market is becoming less dependent on Apple’s launch cycle and more driven by inventory flow and demand.
The most significant price movements occurred earlier in the year:
These were the largest monthly declines of the entire year.
👉 This shift indicates that refurbished inventory likely increased during this period, creating stronger price competition among sellers.
Outside of spring, price movements were relatively small:
This means:
👉 For buyers, this is actually good news — it reduces the risk of “missing the perfect moment.”
Despite the lack of a dramatic seasonal drop, prices still followed a clear long-term trend:
👉 Average decline of -1.13% per month throughout 2025
This steady decrease reflects:
Based on our 2025 data and historical trends, here are the best times to buy a Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone in 2026:
These were the strongest months in 2025, with the largest price drops:
👉 Why it works:
💡 Recommendation:
Start actively checking prices in April, and be ready to buy in May if you see a strong deal.
Traditionally, September was the best time to buy due to:
However, in 2025:
👉 What this means:
November remains a relevant buying window due to:
👉 However:
The biggest mistake buyers make is waiting for the “perfect month.”
Because prices decline gradually:
👉 A good deal today is often better than a slightly better deal months later.
Not all iPhones behave the same in the refurbished market.
Based on our 2025 data, newer iPhone models consistently showed larger price drops, while older models were much more stable.
(Data Source: UpTrade, https://uptradeit.com)
You may use or share this chart with proper attribution. Please include a link back to UpTrade as the original source.
The biggest price declines were observed in:
👉 Why?
💡 As supply increases, sellers adjust prices more aggressively to stay competitive.
Older models such as:
…showed much smaller price movements throughout the year.
👉 Why?
💡 This means:
👉 If you want the biggest discounts, look at newer models (iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15).
👉 If you want price stability, older models won’t fluctuate much — but they also offer less long-term value.
Timing matters — but choosing the right model matters even more.
In 2026, the refurbished iPhone market has created a unique opportunity:
👉 The Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 has dropped to $150+, which is the same price level as the iPhone 11.
This completely changes the value equation.
At around the same price as the iPhone 11, the iPhone 12 is a clear upgrade:
👉 Recommendation:
The iPhone 12 is the best deal in 2026 for budget-conscious buyers.
If you’re willing to spend a bit more:
👉 Best for:
Users who want a longer-lasting device without a big price jump.
For buyers prioritizing longevity:
👉 Best for:
Users planning to keep their phone for 3–4 years.
While the iPhone 11 still supports iOS 26:
👉 At the same $150 price point, there’s no reason to choose iPhone 11 over iPhone 12.
Based on our analysis of over 1 million pricing data points from 2025, the refurbished iPhone market is becoming more predictable — but also less tied to traditional launch cycles.
👉 The biggest takeaway:
Unlike previous years, waiting for a big September drop is no longer the best strategy. Instead, spring has become the strongest buying window, driven by earlier supply increases and more consistent pricing behavior.
However, timing is only part of the equation.
👉 Choosing the right model matters just as much.
In 2026, the best deal is clear:
The Certified Used / Refurbished iPhone 12 ($150+) offers the best value. It matches the iPhone 11 in price but delivers significantly better performance, display, and future support.
For buyers willing to spend more:
The best time is April and May, when prices dropped the most in 2025. Secondary opportunities include September and November.
Historically, yes, but in 2025, the September drop was much smaller. The market is more mature and becoming less dependent on Apple’s launch cycle.
Black Friday can offer deals, but discounts are often smaller than spring price drops. April and May are usually better months.
Yes. In 2025, prices declined at an average of -1.13% per month, meaning they gradually decreased rather than dropped suddenly. However, older generations like iPhone 11 and earlier tend to stay at similar price levels as they have reached a pricing “floor” maintained by professional resellers.
Newer models like iPhone 12, 13, 14, and 15 tend to drop faster due to higher supply from trade-ins and stronger competition among sellers.
Yes. At $150+, the iPhone 12 is one of the best value iPhones, offering 5G, OLED display, and strong performance at the same price level as iPhone 11.
You should choose the iPhone 12. It offers better display, faster performance, 5G support, and longer software support — often at the same price.
Yes, if you want longer battery life and extended software support. However, for most users, the iPhone 12 offers the best balance of price and performance.
Compare prices across certified sellers and check historical pricing trends. Tools like UpTrade help you identify whether a deal is below market average.
If you find a strong deal, it’s better to buy. Prices decline gradually, so waiting may only save a small amount while risking missing a good opportunity.
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