How do refurbished Apple prices change over time?
Refurbished Apple prices fall over time, with the steepest drops when Apple launches a new generation. As a newer model arrives, more units of the outgoing model enter the refurbished market and demand shifts, pushing prices down. RefurbMe tracks this with the RefurbMe Refurbished Apple Price Index (RAPI). Across every iPhone model RefurbMe has tracked, the median refurbished discount versus the original release price is about 80% as of July 2026 (a family median skewed by older models, not the saving on a current one).
What drives refurbished price changes?
- New launches. When Apple releases a new model, the previous generation drops. This is the single biggest driver.
- Supply volume. More trade-ins and returns entering the market means more seller competition and lower prices.
- Seasonal demand. Prices can firm up around back-to-school and the holidays, then ease afterward.
- Software support. When a model loses the latest iOS or macOS, its refurbished price tends to fall faster.
How long does Apple sell a model before it drops?
Apple's own sales window shapes when refurbished supply arrives. RefurbMe's sales-lifecycle figure, the median days between release and discontinuation, is about 399 days for iPhone as of July 2026, meaning Apple typically sells a given iPhone for a little over a year before it makes way for the next. The outgoing model then sees its sharpest refurbished price decline. Check current figures on the stats pages, since these medians shift over time.
How can I track price trends?
RefurbMe's statistics pages show release timelines and price history per family. Browse iPhone stats, MacBook Air stats, MacBook Pro stats, or iPad stats to compare medians across markets and sellers.
How do I get the best price?
- Set a price alert with RefurbMe's price-drop notifications.
- Buy after a launch, when the previous generation usually drops within weeks. See how long until a product is available refurbished.
- Compare sellers, since the same model is priced differently across refurbishers.
