You’re ready for a shiny new phone — maybe the latest iPhone, Galaxy, or Pixel. But before you upgrade, there’s one step that can make a big difference in your wallet: selling your old device first.
Many people hold onto their old phone until after their new one arrives, but this common mistake can cost you. Each passing week lowers resale value, especially around major product launches. By acting early, you can avoid depreciation and get the most for your device.
This guide explains why selling before upgrading matters, the best timing strategies, and how to prepare your phone to sell quickly and for top dollar.
Why Timing Matters When Selling Electronics
Electronics lose value the moment they’re released — and that decline accelerates whenever a new model comes out.
- Depreciation curve: Phones can lose 15–30% of value within the first year, and even more after 18 months.
- Product launches: The week a new iPhone or Samsung Galaxy is announced, resale values for older models drop sharply.
- Market floods: When millions of users trade in or sell old devices at once, supply outweighs demand, pushing prices lower.
Selling before your upgrade protects you from this value drop.
(Coming Soon: How Depreciation Works for Electronics for a deeper breakdown of value loss over time.)
The Risk of Waiting Until After Your Upgrade
If you wait until after your new phone arrives to list your old one, you risk:
1. Lower offers: By the time you’re ready, prices may already have dipped.
2. Faster depreciation: Each month of waiting can cost you $20–$50 in resale value.
3. More competition: Everyone else upgrading floods the resale market at the same time.
It’s like trading in a car — you wouldn’t wait six months after buying a new one to sell the old one, because every delay reduces the price you’ll get.
Best Times to Sell Before an Upgrade
If you want to maximize resale, timing is everything.
1. Right before new product launches
- For iPhone users: Sell in late summer (July–August) before September announcements.
- For Samsung users: Sell in January ahead of Galaxy S launches.
2. Holiday season
- Demand is highest in November–December, especially for gently used devices people buy as gifts.
3. Back-to-school season
- Phones, tablets, and laptops sell well in August, when students shop for new tech.
(See: Best Time of Year to Sell Your Old Phone for more detail on seasonal resale trends.)
How to Sell Your Old Phone Before Upgrading
Here’s a step-by-step strategy to sell your phone early while making sure you’re not left disconnected.
1. Check Upgrade Dates and Announcements
Mark your calendar for when your carrier or manufacturer usually announces new devices. Plan to sell a few weeks before those dates.
2. Secure a Backup Device
One reason people delay selling is fear of being without a phone. The solution:
- Keep an older backup phone on hand.
- Borrow a spare from a friend or family member for a couple of weeks.
- Use a temporary low-cost device until your upgrade arrives.
3. Get an Instant Quote
Before listing, check what your device is worth on resale platforms like Gizmogo. Instant quotes let you lock in value before depreciation hits.
4. Prep Your Phone for Sale
- Back up your data.
- Perform a factory reset.
- Clean the device thoroughly.
- Gather accessories and original packaging if available.
(Coming Soon: How to Keep Your Phone in ‘Like New’ Condition for tips that boost resale.)
5. Choose the Right Selling Method
- Trade-in programs: Convenient, but often lower payouts.
- Direct sales (online or marketplaces): Higher offers, but more effort required.
- Dedicated buyers like Gizmogo: Balance of convenience and value, with fast cash offers.
Trade-In vs Selling: Which Is Better Before an Upgrade?
Both trade-ins and private sales have pros and cons.
- Trade-in benefits: Fast, guaranteed, no hassle.
- Trade-in downside: Typically 15–20% less than you’d get selling directly.
- Selling benefits: Higher payouts, especially for flagship models.
- Selling downside: May require more time to list and ship.
If you’re aiming to maximize value, selling before your upgrade usually wins. But if speed is your priority, a trade-in may suit you better.
How Much Value Can You Save by Selling Early?
Let’s say you own an iPhone 13 Pro Max, 256GB:
- Selling in August (before the iPhone 15 launch): $620–$650
- Selling in October (after launch): $500–$520
That’s a loss of $100–$130 in just two months.
For Samsung Galaxy models, the drop is similar, especially when new models debut in the first quarter of each year.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
When trying to sell before an upgrade, many sellers make missteps that cost them money. Here’s what to avoid:
- Waiting too long: Hoping prices will bounce back (they won’t).
- Selling with damage: Cracked screens or poor battery health reduce value dramatically. Fixing minor issues first often pays off.
- Ignoring storage size impact: Higher storage models usually sell faster and for more.
(See: How Storage Capacity Affects Resale Value.) - Failing to include accessories: A charger and original box can make your listing stand out.
(See: Should You Sell With or Without Accessories?.)
Maximizing Resale Value Before Your Upgrade
Here’s a quick checklist to follow if you’re upgrading soon:
- Sell before new launches — beat the depreciation wave.
- Use instant quotes to lock in today’s value.
- Bundle accessories to increase appeal.
- Keep your phone in like-new condition — even small scratches affect offers.
List your device early — don’t wait until after your new one arrives.
Final Thoughts
If you’re planning an upgrade, don’t wait until after your new phone is in hand to sell the old one. By then, depreciation will already be working against you.
The smartest move is to sell your old device first — ideally a few weeks before a major product launch or during high-demand seasons. With the right timing, accessories, and preparation, you can significantly increase your resale value and avoid leaving money on the table.
Whether you choose to trade in or sell privately, the goal is the same: act early, position your device well, and you’ll get the most for your device before moving on to your upgrade.
For more tips, check out our complete guide: (Coming Soon: Maximizing the Value of Your Used Electronics).