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iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows

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The iPhone Air has recorded the steepest early resale value drop of any iPhone model in years, with new data showing that several configurations have lost almost 50% of their value within ten weeks of launch.

iphone-air-camera.jpg

According to a ten-week analysis published by SellCell, Apple's latest lineup is showing a pronounced split in resale performance between the iPhone 17 models and the iPhone Air. SellCell examined real-time trade-in pricing from more than 40 U.S. buyback companies, comparing average values across weeks since launch against each model's original MSRP. All devices in the study were assessed in good condition for consistent comparisons.

The data shows that the iPhone 17 series has averaged 34.6% depreciation after ten weeks, outperforming the iPhone 16 range at the same point last year, which saw a 39% decline. The iPhone 15 series remains the strongest performer over the past several cycles, retaining more value at the ten-week mark with an average depreciation of 31.9%. The iPhone 14 range sits at 36.6% over the same period.

By contrast, the iPhone Air shows significantly weaker retention, averaging 44.3% depreciation across all storage configurations. The Air's declines range from 40.3% to 47.7%, making it the weakest-performing iPhone range since the iPhone 14 Plus and certain iPhone 13 mini configurations registered similar drops in 2022. The steepest fall is attributed to the 1TB iPhone Air model, which SellCell identifies as the worst performer in the entire dataset.

SellCell's model-level breakdown shows a sharp divergence between the Pro segment and the Air. The best-performing model, the 256GB iPhone 17 Pro Max, has declined 26.1% after ten weeks, while the 512GB iPhone 17 Pro Max has fallen 30.3%. All Pro and Pro Max configurations remain below 40% depreciation, which points to sustained demand in the secondary market. The standard iPhone 17 fell between 32.9% and 40.8%, placing it roughly in line with the performance of recent non-Pro tiers. The iPhone 17 lineup as a whole collectively retains 9.7% more value than the Air after ten weeks.

The iPhone Air occupies the entire bottom of the ten-week rankings. Depreciation among the iPhone 17 models appears to stabilize by week ten, mirroring patterns observed for the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 generations. The iPhone Air, on the other hand, continued to decline through week ten, which SellCell suggests could indicate longer-term uncertainty in the secondary market. The comparisons underscore how unusual the iPhone Air's trajectory is relative to other iPhone models.

Article Link: iPhone Air's Resale Value Has Dropped Dramatically, Data Shows
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2025/12/04/iphone-air-resale-value-has-dropped-dramatically/
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That's fine, I like my Air so much I plan to keep it for a very long time unless they do a drastic design change for their other models (I hate the iphone physical design since the 12 though current 17 series). They need to bring back the Iphone X-Xs design.
 
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ab2c4 said:
That's fine, I like my Air so much I plan to keep it for a very long time unless they do a drastic design change for their other models (I hate the iphone physical design since the 12 though current 17 series). They need to bring back the Iphone X-Xs design.
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iPhone has been a slab/candy bar design since its inception and iPhone Air does not change on that. That’s like saying a thicker, thinner, squarer, curved, angled, etc slab phone is new; news flash it’s not.
 
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26.1–47.7% depreciation after 10 weeks? That, folks, is why I haven’t bought a new iPhone since the 6S. I’m very happy trailing a few years behind and saving thousands over those who upgrade every year.
 
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code-m said:
“It’s a success” is what the collective voices from iPhone Air owners advocate since its launch.

When will acceptance sink in?
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This. People scream about how apple needs to bring the mini back, the Air, maybe even the plus. THEY DON'T SELL WELL. I am sure there's "plenty" of people who want one of these phones, but if they think they can make more money by axing them, making a different phone, etc, its worth it. They don't make decisions to create a phone lightly nor discontinue one lightly. If the mini or plus sold well, they would still be here. That's all that matters.
 
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It's not just resale value. The iPhone Air is the first iPhone I can remember who's price has gone down significantly so soon after launch. Here it is €1229, but you can get it new for just €929. For comparison, the iPhone 17's MSRP is €969 and its current retail price is also still €969. Yes, the Air is cheaper than the base iPhone here.
 
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code-m said:
iPhone has been a slab/candy bar design since its inception and iPhone Air does not change on that. That’s like saying a thicker, thinner, squarer, curved, angled, etc slab phone is new; news flash it’s not.
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I never said that would be new, just massively improved over the thick, heavy, flat sided with sharp edges like we have had since the 12. The iphone 6 series through the Xs was a much much much better design. Light weight with rounded sides is the premium phone design. Apple did that in the past and should do it again.
 
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ab2c4 said:
I never said that would be new, just massively improved over the thick, heavy, flat sided with sharp edges like we have had since the 12. The iphone 6 series through the Xs was a much much much better design.
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Completely agree. I am in an awkward place because 5.4 feels too small but 6.1 feels too big and heavy. Really wish they still had the Xs or 11 Pro body style. Would 100% get one. May just have to bite the bullet one day though.
 
Where does SellCell get their data?

"SellCell analysed ten-week depreciation using real-time trade-in prices from more than 40 US-based buyback companies."

So these are trade-in values. I know there is a correlation, but it's a little misleading to present trade-in values and call the article resale. Trade-in is a form of resale, but iPhone Airs are still going for close to $900 used on eBay.

Lesson? Don't trade in your basically new iPhone Air.
 
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Makes sense. The pool of buyers is limited. A "supercycle" for new 17 series phones means, that refurbished older models will not sell as well. This should put pressure on the second hand phone market.
 
I don't really see a problem here. I have yet to see one iPhone Air owner who decided to keep their device and doesn't think its the best model in years. Peple buy whatever they like but you can tell from the way the posts are written that most of the 'complaints' are from people who have no experience of the product and just spread around the same crap from day one. Youtubers cannot be trusted because they really aren't the target market.

The only real issue with the Air is the cost; if its closer to the 17 in price then it becomes much more enticing to buyers with an open mind.
 
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marcushe said:
It should be $200 less than the regular iPhone, not $200 more. It has less capabilities. People will not pay more for literally less of a phone in material and specs. If it was $200 less it would be selling well.
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Or just on par at least, so the folks choosing between the 17 and the Air would be evaluating tradeoffs/benefits at the same price point.

As I was typing this, @Ctrlos hit the nail on the head in the post above this one.
 
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lol. one good thing about iPhones are that they tend to hold good value compared to Androids. I’ve always sold/traded in my old iPhone and used it towards my next phone.

Hopefully this is a one off. The Air needs to be dropped next year. Let it join the Mini. It would be a shame if the overall market started to value iPhones less because of this stupid phone.

I’m not suggesting the Mini should come back I don’t remember it being as much of a failure as the Air. Just bring back the Plus and give us a 18 Plus.

Air users are going to be just as delusional and insufferable as Mini users.
 
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iPhone Air user here, from my own experience using the device from launch I haven’t experienced or seen as drawbacks any of it’s thought of as weaknesses. Battery life has seen me make it throughout the day with moderate usage. I don’t have a need for multiple cameras and the one on the Air I find to be more than sufficient for my needs. I haven’t felt an iPhone in hand like this one since the iPhone 6 Plus which this most reminds me of as far as that goes. Which I really appreciate. I had an iPhone 15 Pro (edit: meant to say ‘16 Pro’) prior to this one, and I haven’t regretted switching from that one to this. I wouldn’t mind a second generation of the Air tbh. I say get the device that meets your needs whatever that may be (including the Air).
 
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