iPhone 17 Resale Value: What It's Worth a Year On, Trade-In vs Selling
A year after it launched, a 256GB iPhone 17 in good condition resells for about $565, roughly 29 percent below its $799 price. The Pro models have lost more: an iPhone 17 Pro 256GB sells for around $660, down 40 percent from $1,099, and the 2TB Pro Max has lost over half its value. Apple's own trade-in offers are lower than cash buyers' and come as store credit. Here's what each model is worth now, why the Pro models fall faster, and how to time a sale.
What each model is worth now
Good-condition resale prices as of October 2026:
| Model | Launch price | Resale now | Lost |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17, 256GB | $799 | ~$565 | 29% |
| iPhone 17, 512GB | $999 | ~$665 | 33% |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 256GB | $1,099 | ~$660 | 40% |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 512GB | $1,299 | ~$790 | 39% |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 1TB | $1,499 | ~$890 | 41% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max, 256GB | $1,199 | ~$765 | 36% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max, 512GB | $1,399 | ~$855 | 39% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max, 1TB | $1,599 | ~$920 | 42% |
| iPhone 17 Pro Max, 2TB | $1,999 | ~$960 | 52% |
Prices move weekly, so treat these as a snapshot. They're for unlocked phones with no damage. A cracked screen or a battery below 80 percent health cuts the price sharply, and a phone that doesn't work is typically worth about 12 percent of its original price for parts.
Why the base model holds value best
Two things. The cheapest model has the smallest gap between its price and what the used market will pay, because used-phone buyers are price-sensitive and $565 for a year-old flagship is an easy sell. And the extra storage that costs $200 to $400 new is worth $100 or less used, because most buyers don't need it. The 2TB Pro Max is the clearest case: Apple charges $400 over the 1TB model for storage that adds about $40 on resale.
If you're buying with resale in mind, the base model in the base storage loses the least money.
Apple trade-in vs selling it yourself
Apple's trade-in values are convenient and lower. As of September 2026, Apple offered up to $720 for an iPhone 16 Pro Max and $480 for an iPhone 16, as credit toward a new device or a gift card, not cash. Cash buyback sites and private sales typically pay 20 to 30 percent more for the same phone. One comparison put a buyback site's offer for a top-spec iPhone 15 Pro Max at $685 against Apple's $530.
The trade-offs:
- Apple trade-in: fastest, no haggling, no risk of a buyer disputing the condition. Lowest price.
- Buyback sites (Back Market, Gazelle, Swappa, carrier programmes): a quote online, ship it, get paid. Middle of the range.
- Selling privately (eBay, Facebook Marketplace): highest price, most effort, and you handle scammers and returns.
When to sell
iPhones lose value in two steps: a steady drift through the year, then a sharp drop when the next model is announced in September. The best time to sell is July or August, before the new phone is announced, when your phone is still "current." Selling in October, after the new model is out, costs roughly 10 to 15 percent more than selling in August would have.
The second-best time is right now, before the drift continues. The worst time is a year from now.
How to get the most for it
- Check battery health in Settings. Below 80 percent, buyers discount heavily; a battery replacement can pay for itself.
- Unlock it from your carrier if it isn't already. Locked phones are worth less.
- Keep the box and cable. Worth $20 to $40 on a private sale.
- Get three quotes from buyback sites before accepting Apple's.
- Wipe it properly: sign out of iCloud, turn off Find My, then erase.
The Valued app can identify a phone and other electronics from a photo and give you a starting estimate, which is useful for the drawer of old devices too. For the broader method, see our guide to finding out what an antique is worth.
Common questions
How much is an iPhone 17 worth now?
About $565 for a 256GB model in good condition, as of October 2026. The 17 Pro sells for around $660 and the Pro Max for $765 to $960 depending on storage.
Does Apple give a good trade-in value?
It's convenient but typically 20 to 30 percent below what cash buyback sites or a private sale would pay, and it's paid as Apple credit rather than cash.
Which iPhone holds its value best?
The base model in the lowest storage. Extra storage and Pro features cost a lot new and add little used, so the Pro Max loses the most in dollar terms and the 2TB model loses the most in percentage terms.
When is the best time to sell an iPhone?
July or August, before Apple announces the next model in September. Prices drop sharply once the new phone is out.