Buying a Used iPhone Is Becoming Increasingly Appealing: Prices Rise and Support Extends
Apple CEO Tim Cook's warning of unavoidable price increases, along with upcoming software improvements that will extend the life of older models, make buying a used iPhone a more sensible choice.
Buying a used iPhone has never made more sense than now, as several factors converge. In a recent interview with The Wall Street Journal, Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that due to a memory component shortage driven by massive demand from AI data centers, the company will soon have to raise prices. Although Cook did not specify which products or when, experts expect price hikes to affect newer models, especially the Pro series.
Meanwhile, at Apple's WWDC conference in June, the company announced changes in iOS 27 that will improve the CPU scheduler, allowing even the iPhone 11 to remain viable longer. This means used phone owners can be more confident that their devices won't be left behind by software updates. Additionally, battery replacements for older models are cheaper — for example, replacing the battery on an iPhone 13 costs $30 less than on the latest iPhone 17.
Secondhand marketplaces like Back Market have already seen sales spikes following tariff concerns and Cook's statements. Although used device prices are likely to rise as well, they will still be significantly lower than new flagships. Experts suggest considering keeping your current phone for another year or two, or buying a year-old model and replacing the battery regularly — this can save substantial money.
