Best Time to Sell Your Phone in 2025: Data-Driven Timing Guide

Timing your phone sale correctly can mean the difference between getting £500 or £350 for the same device. With the iPhone 17 release, Samsung's new AI-powered Galaxy series, and Google's expanded Pixel lineup, knowing when to sell matters more than ever. This guide uses real market data to show you the best times to sell different devices and what drives price changes throughout the year.

How Phone Resale Timing Works in 2025

Phone prices change throughout the year based on new releases, holidays, and market demand. Sell at the right time and you could get 20-30% more for the same device.

2025 Key Release Dates That Impact Values

Already Released (Impact Ongoing)

• Samsung Galaxy S25 Series: January 22, 2025
• OnePlus 13: January 2025
• iPhone 17 & 17 Pro: September 20, 2025
• Google Pixel 9a: March 2025
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7/Flip 7: July 2025

Upcoming Releases (Plan Ahead)

• Google Pixel 10 Series: Expected October 2025
• OnePlus Open 2: Expected Q4 2025
• iPhone SE 4: Expected March 2026

Month-by-Month Selling Guide for 2025

November 2025 (Current Month) - Rating: 6/10

Market Status: Post-iPhone 17 stabilization period

• iPhone values have dropped 20-30% since September
• Samsung devices holding steady pre-Black Friday
• Good time for Pixel sellers before Pixel 10 launch

Best to Sell: Google Pixel 8/9 series, OnePlus 12

Hold: Samsung Galaxy S24 (wait for December uptick)

December 2025 - Rating: 7/10

Market Status: Holiday demand surge

• 15-20% increase in buyback prices for gift-giving season
• High demand for recent flagship models
• Best month for Samsung Galaxy devices

Best to Sell: Any flagship phone in excellent condition

January 2026 Projection - Rating: 5/10

Market Status: Post-holiday slump

• Prices drop 10-15% after holiday season
• Samsung S26 announcement impacts S24/S25 values
• Wait for February if possible

February 2026 Projection - Rating: 6/10

Market Status: Tax refund preparation

• Slight uptick as buyers prepare for tax refunds
• Good time for older iPhone models (13, 14 series)

March-April 2026 Projection - Rating: 8/10

Market Status: Tax refund season peak

• Second-best selling window of the year
• Prices increase 10-20% from February lows
• Excellent time for all phone models

May-June 2026 Projection - Rating: 7/10

Market Status: Stable pre-summer market

• Consistent prices with gradual depreciation
• Good window for Samsung Galaxy S series

July-August 2026 Projection - Rating: 9/10

Market Status: Pre-iPhone announcement peak

• BEST time to sell iPhones (before September announcement)
• iPhone 16/17 values at yearly high
• Also excellent for Samsung foldables before refresh

Device-Specific Optimal Timing

iPhones

Best Times: July-August (pre-announcement), March-April (tax season), December (holidays)

Worst Times: September-October (post-announcement), January (post-holiday)

Special Note: iPhone 16 owners should consider selling NOW (November 2025) as values won't recover to pre-iPhone 17 levels

Samsung Galaxy S Series

Best Times: December (holiday), November-December (before January announcement)

Worst Times: January-February (new model launch period)

Special Note: S24 Ultra maintaining value better than standard S24 due to AI features

Samsung Foldables

Best Times: May-June (before July refresh), December (holiday demand)

Worst Times: July-August (new model period)

Google Pixel

Best Times: August-September (before October announcement), March-April (tax season)

Worst Times: October-November (post-announcement)

OnePlus

Best Times: November-December (before January launch), Summer months

Worst Times: January-February (new model impact)

Market Factors Unique to 2025

AI Integration Premium

Phones with advanced AI capabilities (iPhone 16/17 Pro, Pixel 9, Galaxy S24/S25 with Galaxy AI) are maintaining 15-20% better value than non-AI models. This "AI premium" is new to 2025 and affects optimal timing.

Sustainability Surge

The global mobile phone recycling market has grown 12.3% in 2025, reaching £3.5 billion. Environmental awareness is driving year-round demand, somewhat smoothing traditional price cycles.

5G Maturity

With 5G now standard, older 4G-only devices have hit their value floor. These devices (iPhone 11 and older, Galaxy S10 series) show minimal seasonal variation - sell anytime.

Strategic Selling Frameworks

The "N-2 Rule"

Phones lose most value when they become "N-2" (two generations old). In November 2025:

• iPhone 15 is now N-2 (sell soon if upgrading)
• Galaxy S23 is N-2 (significant value drop imminent)
• Pixel 7 approaching N-3 (past optimal selling window)

The "Cascade Effect"

When flagships launch, values cascade down:

1. New model launches at premium price
2. Last year's model drops 30-40%
3. Two-year-old model drops 15-20%
4. Three-year-old model drops 5-10%
5. Four-year+ models minimally affected

Hidden Timing Opportunities in 2025

1. The "Dead Zone" Advantage

Late May to early June 2025 is traditionally slow, but buyback services often increase prices to maintain inventory. Excellent for sellers willing to act counter-cyclically.

2. Regional Events

• University terms: September and January see student-driven demand
• Festival seasons: Diwali (November), Christmas create regional spikes
• Contract renewals: 24-month cycles mean November 2025 sees 2023 contracts ending

3. Carrier Promotion Gaps

When carriers end trade-in promotions (typically mid-month), independent buyback prices often increase 5-10% to capture overflow demand.

Price Guarantee Strategy

Many buyback services offer 5-30 day price locks. Strategic use multiplies timing advantages:

Optimal Price-Lock Timeline

1. Day 1-3: Get quotes from 5+ services
2. Day 4: Lock best price with longest guarantee
3. Day 5-25: Prepare device, monitor for better offers
4. Day 26-28: Ship device
5. Day 30: Device arrives just before guarantee expires

Condition Timing Correlation

Grade A (Pristine) Devices

Least affected by timing - maintain premium regardless of season. Deviation: ±5%

Grade B (Good) Devices

Moderate timing sensitivity. Best during high-demand periods. Deviation: ±10%

Grade C/D (Fair/Poor) Devices

Highly timing-sensitive. Sell during peak demand only. Deviation: ±20%

2025 Timing Mistakes to Avoid

1. The "Wait for Better Prices" Trap

Daily depreciation costs more than waiting for "perfect" timing. A phone losing £5/week costs £20/month to hold.

2. Post-Announcement Panic Selling

Selling immediately after new model announcements means accepting the worst prices. Either sell before or wait 2-3 months for stabilization.

3. Ignoring Storage Tier Timing

Base storage models (128GB) depreciate faster than high-capacity (512GB/1TB). High-storage devices have wider optimal selling windows.

4. Holiday Gift Assumption

Not all phones benefit equally from holiday demand. Older models (3+ years) see minimal holiday boost.

Advanced Timing Strategies

Portfolio Approach

If selling multiple devices:

• Sell newest first (highest depreciation rate)
• Bundle older devices for better rates
• Stagger sales to catch different market peaks

Upgrade Cycle Optimization

Plan your upgrade cycle around optimal selling windows:

• Annual upgraders: Buy in September, sell in August
• Two-year cycle: Buy at launch, sell just before N-2 status
• Three-year cycle: Focus on condition preservation over timing

Real-World Timing Examples

Case Study 1: iPhone 15 Pro Max Owner

Scenario: Owns 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max, wants iPhone 17 Pro Max

Missed opportunity: Could have sold for £850 in August 2025

Current value (November): £680

Recommendation: Sell immediately, value dropping £15-20 weekly

Case Study 2: Galaxy S24 Ultra Owner

Scenario: Owns Galaxy S24 Ultra, considering S26 upgrade

Current value: £650

December projection: £700 (holiday boost)

Recommendation: Wait until mid-December for optimal value

Case Study 3: Pixel 8 Pro Owner

Scenario: Owns Pixel 8 Pro, interested in Pixel 10

Current value: £420

Post-Pixel 10 projection: £350

Recommendation: Sell before Pixel 10 announcement (October)

Conclusion: Your 2025 Action Plan

Immediate Actions (November 2025)

1. iPhone 16/17 owners: Get quotes now
2. Pixel 8/9 owners: Sell before Pixel 10 impact
3. Galaxy S24 owners: Wait for December

Q1 2026 Planning

1. Mark calendar for March-April selling window
2. Begin device preparation in February
3. Monitor Samsung S26 launch impact

Long-term Strategy

1. Track your device's depreciation monthly
2. Set price alerts for your target selling price
3. Maintain device condition year-round
4. Plan upgrades around optimal windows

Remember: The best time to sell is always before you need to. While perfect timing can add 20-30% to your resale value, maintaining excellent condition and including original accessories often matters more. Use this guide to inform your decision, but don't let perfect timing paralysis prevent you from acting when the time is right for you.