With Apple’s latest iPhone launch coming fast, shoppers are already making moves to upgrade their smartphones, but not before cashing in on their old devices.
Pre-orders for the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 17 Pro Max, the new ultra-thin iPhone Air are already open and eBay are seeing a clear trend: Brits are turning to their kitchen drawers and selling past-gen smartphone models like the iPhone 12, 13 and 14 to help fund their next big tech purchase.
Recent spikes from January 2025 to August 2025 in eBay.co.uk back it up:
- Pre-loved iPhone 14 sales are up over 40% in 2025
- Since spring, iPhone 12s are up 20%, 13s up 28%, and 14s up 30%
- Other than the newest iPhone 16, iPhone 13 is the most searched-for and sold model this year
This resale boom isn’t just about Apple. On the week the new Samsung Galaxy Z series launched:
- Searches for the Flip6 jumped 45%, Flip5 by 60%, and Flip3 by 95%
- Sales of the Galaxy S20 (released five years ago) have risen 75% in 2025: a sign that buyers are embracing smart nostalgia as well as savings.
Ben Andrew, a savvy eBay seller, has cracked the code for guilt-free gadget upgrades: every time a new device drops, he sells his current one on eBay. It’s his go-to strategy to stay up to date – no financial strain, no tech build-up, just smart swaps and pre-loved resale. This year alone, he sold his iPad for £255 using the funds to upgrade to a new one
