iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

[MacRumors]

New trade-in data indicates that Apple's iPhone 17 Pro Max has rapidly become the single most traded-in smartphone.

According to a new report from SellCell, Apple's latest flagship iPhone has quickly risen to the top of the independent trade-in market, accounting for 11.5% of all devices appearing in the top-20 trade-in rankings just months after release. The analysis is based on SellCell internal trade-in data and secondary market pricing trends gathered from 40 independent iPhone buyers.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max's share of the top-20 trade-in rankings increased from about 5.1% in late November to 11.5% by early February, more than doubling in approximately 12 weeks. 86% of traded-in units were categorized as being in mint or good condition, suggesting many owners are selling soon after purchase.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 14 Pro Max remain prominent, each accounting for approximately 7.3% of trade-ins, and the iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 13 sit at 7.2% of trade-ins each. The top-20 devices collectively represent around 47% of all trade-in activity.

Trade-in rankings typically reflect a wide mix of devices at different points in their lifecycle, with older models often dominating resale volume due to large installed bases and the natural upgrade cycle. The iPhone 17 Pro Max's rapid rise is therefore notable because the device only entered the market relatively recently yet has already become the most frequently traded-in model across the tracked channels.

The iPhone 17 Pro Max has apparently lost approximately 25.4% of its value since launch when measuring average resale prices for mint-condition devices over a 145-day period. Over an equivalent timeframe, the iPhone 16 Pro Max lost roughly 32.5% of its value. This represents more than 7% lower depreciation for the newer model and translates to as much as $95 in additional retained value compared with the previous generation over the same period.

SellCell attributes early trade-ins primarily to strong resale pricing. Average resale values for mint-condition iPhone 17 Pro Max devices currently sit around $967.50. Premium smartphones can function as short-term assets that owners may sell to release cash when needed, so the iPhone 17 Pro Max's rise to the top of trade-ins likely reflects broader economic conditions.

Article Link: iPhone 17 Pro Max Curiously Becomes Most Traded-In Smartphone

 

[sniffies]

Because 16=17

 

[EatinPonies]

This is actually fascinating... Are people finally done paying a thousand dollars for something that didn't change sufficiently? I'm curious to know what they ultimately end up with after they trade this in.

 

[thebarrkbyte]

A good portion of these is downgrading to the Pro as the screen is getting too big to fit in one hand. I switched down to Pro from Pro Max for the first time since the iPhone X

 

[brock2621]

I'm confused by this actually. Wouldn't this indicate a huge swath of people LEAVING the Apple Ecosystem for other devices? I understand buying the plus and realizing it's too big and downsizing but most of those are within the return window of a couple weeks.

To trade back in the newest and highest end phone Apple makes raises all sorts of questions like theft, or some scam/counterfeit ring, black market questions etc. etc.

I'd like to know if Apple's internal data is showing a similar uptick in iMessage deactivations to actually cross-reference people switching to another manufacturer...

 

[Epic-Ike72]

In short, the "curious" aspect is that people aren't trading it in because it's a bad phone; they are trading it in because it is retaining its monetary value so well that it has become a profitable asset to sell… 🤔 hmmm Interesting.

 

[thebarrkbyte]

This is actually fascinating... Are people finally done paying a thousand dollars for something that didn't change sufficiently? I'm curious to know what they ultimately end up with after they trade this in.

Pro. The Max screen is just getting too big. I downgraded just after purchase as it did not fit in my hand.

 

[snyp1193]

Also doesn’t help the 17 pro series has a discolouration issue especially with the Orange colour. The downgrade from titanium to aluminum also makes this a poor choice.

 

[I7guy]

In short, the "curious" aspect is that people aren't trading it in because it's a bad phone; they are trading it in because it is retaining its monetary value so well that it has become a profitable asset to sell…Interesting

So lose only a little money and then buy another phone, either apple or non-apple?

 

[magicschoolbus]

All of the wannabe tech influencers trading in their review units

 

[ProbablyDylan]

Wonder if this is buyer's remorse due to how massive these things have become.

 

[thebarrkbyte]

I'm confused by this actually. Wouldn't this indicate a huge swath of people LEAVING the Apple Ecosystem for other devices? I understand buying the plus and realizing it's too big and downsizing but most of those are within the return window of a couple weeks.

To trade back in the newest and highest end phone Apple makes raises all sorts of questions like theft, or some scam/counterfeit ring, black market questions etc. etc.

I'd like to know if Apple's internal data is showing a similar uptick in iMessage deactivations to actually cross-reference people switching to another manufacturer...

They’re going to the Pro for smaller screen size. They’re not leaving Apple. The Pro Max is getting too big. My mother and sister have both done this as did my sister in law.

 

[Love-hate 🍏 relationship]

A good portion of these is downgrading to the Pro as the screen is getting too big to fit in one hand. I switched down to Pro from Pro Max for the first time since the iPhone X

Shoulda been the case with the 16 pro then

 

[Attirex]

Ppl selling their phones so they can buy food/pay rent.

 

[Pezimak]

This is fantastic news for me! As I do not not buy iPhones new anymore and get them refurbished. So the more in the refurb market, the easier it will be to pick one up in the spec I want when the time is right, and a chance the price will be lower. When I get a 17 Pro Max it will actually be my third refurb iPhone.

 

[macbookj0e]

Too big, too heavy for many. This year they’re expected to get deeper/heavier still which I don’t feel is a good idea.

Loving my air!

 

[HouseLannister]

People going back to the 16PM to try to stay on iOS 18 a little longer? Or jumping to Android?

 

[chars1ub0w]

Some people have big hands, but I only have average sized hands. It's impossible for me to use the Pro Max one-handed. I tried at the Apple store, but didn't work for me. I can imagine people buying it and soon finding out it's a hassle to use. I often use my iPhone one-handed.

 

[tennisproha]

I returned my 17 Pro Max after doing a trial upgrade from my 12 Pro. It’s new features were barely discernible and the camera didn’t shoot any better than my current phone in side by side comparisons. The camera bump plus aluminum design are also atrocious.

 

[jsavvy]

Shoulda been the case with the 16 pro then

That is my thought as well. Maybe more people upgraded to the 17 than the 16 this year causing the uptick?

I would love for a survey to ascertain the why for the mass amount of trade-ins coming so quickly after launch.

 

[Pezimak]

I'm confused by this actually. Wouldn't this indicate a huge swath of people LEAVING the Apple Ecosystem for other devices? I understand buying the plus and realizing it's too big and downsizing but most of those are within the return window of a couple weeks.

To trade back in the newest and highest end phone Apple makes raises all sorts of questions like theft, or some scam/counterfeit ring, black market questions etc. etc.

I'd like to know if Apple's internal data is showing a similar uptick in iMessage deactivations to actually cross-reference people switching to another manufacturer...

So you don't believe people would actually leave Apple so conclude it must be crime? What an odd take to have.

 

[sw1tcher]

I'm thinkig people bought the iPhone 17 Pro Max because of the hype around Apple Intelligence and an improved Siri, but Apple still hasn't delivered on those. Oh, and there's also Liquid (gl)Ass.

 

[Ursadorable]

Still holding onto my 13 Pro Max until Sierra Blue rolls back around. The 18 Pro Max colors are even uglier than the 17 Pro Max.

 

[Moonjumper]

I know some people who can get any phone free when they renew their contract. So they get the most expensive phone possible. Trade it in, and continue to use their old phone, which is much easier to do now the jump in capability is getting smaller with each generation. The trade-in pays for most of their contract.

 

[Pezimak]

Still holding onto my 13 Pro Max until Sierra Blue rolls back around. The 18 Pro Max colors are even uglier than the 17 Pro Max.

That was the best colour ever on an iPhone IMO. Had a 13 Pro in it.