If you are waiting for phone prices to drop, 2026 has not helped: Apple, Samsung, and Google all raised prices instead of cutting them. The drops are happening on the used market, where every generation keeps getting cheaper. This guide shows how far each iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel has fallen, what they cost on Swappa right now, and whether to buy now or wait.
Quick Answer
New phone prices are not dropping in 2026. Apple raised the price of every iPhone it still sells by $100 on September 9, 2026, and the Galaxy S26 and Pixel 11 both launched $100 higher than the models they replaced. Used phone prices are what fall, steadily with age and in steps when a newer model ships. As of September 23, 2026, a used iPhone 15 sells for about $387 on Swappa, roughly 52% below its launch price, and a Galaxy S24 for about $324. If you need a phone, buying used now beats waiting. Shop used phones on Swappa.
Why New Phone Prices Went Up in 2026
Memory and storage chips got much more expensive in 2026, driven by AI data center demand, and phone makers passed the cost on. It happened across the industry, so there is no cheaper new flagship to switch to.
| New Phone | Before | Now | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 17 (256GB) | $799 | $899 | +$100 on September 9, 2026 |
| iPhone 16 (128GB) | $699 | $799 | +$100 on September 9, 2026 |
| iPhone 18 Pro vs. iPhone 17 Pro at launch | $1,099 | $1,199 | +$100 |
| Galaxy S26 vs. Galaxy S25 at launch | $799.99 | $899.99 | +$100, with 256GB now the base |
| Pixel 11 vs. Pixel 10 at launch | $799 | $899 | +$100, with 256GB now the base |
Samsung and Google also dropped their 128GB models, so part of the increase buys more storage. Either way, the cheapest way into this year’s flagships costs more than last year’s did. Apple also stopped selling the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max instead of discounting them. For the full story, see iPhone 17 Price Increase: What It Means for Used Buyers. The takeaway: waiting for a new-phone discount is unlikely to pay off this year.
How Much Used Phone Prices Have Dropped
Used prices tell a different story. Here is how far each phone has fallen from its launch price, based on Swappa average sale prices for the base storage size as of September 23, 2026.
| Phone | Released | Launch Price | Average Sale Price on Swappa | Below Launch Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S26, 256GB | Mar 2026 | $899.99 | $610 | About 32% |
| iPhone 17 Pro, 256GB | Sep 2025 | $1,099 | $911 | About 17% |
| iPhone 17, 256GB | Sep 2025 | $799 | $723 | About 10% |
| iPhone Air, 256GB | Sep 2025 | $999 | $704 | About 30% |
| Pixel 10, 128GB | Aug 2025 | $799 | $467 | About 42% |
| Galaxy S25, 128GB | Feb 2025 | $799.99 | $425 | About 47% |
| iPhone 16 Pro, 128GB | Sep 2024 | $999 | $652 | About 35% |
| iPhone 16, 128GB | Sep 2024 | $799 | $526 | About 34% |
| Galaxy S24, 128GB | Jan 2024 | $799.99 | $324 | About 60% |
| iPhone 15, 128GB | Sep 2023 | $799 | $387 | About 52% |
| Galaxy S23, 128GB | Feb 2023 | $799.99 | $239 | About 70% |
| iPhone 14, 128GB | Sep 2022 | $799 | $283 | About 65% |
| iPhone 13, 128GB | Sep 2021 | $799 | $242 | About 70% |
Two patterns stand out:
- Android phones fall faster than iPhones. The Pixel 10 is down about 42% after one year, while the iPhone 17 is down about 10%. The Galaxy S23 has lost about as much in three and a half years as the iPhone 13 has in five.
- The newest iPhones are holding up unusually well. Apple’s price increase raised the benchmark that used iPhones compete against, so a used iPhone 17 at about $723 is now roughly 20% below the new $899 price.
For how this compares with laptops, tablets, and consoles, see Tech Depreciation: How Fast Electronics Lose Value.
When Used Phone Prices Tend to Drop
Three things move used phone prices more than anything else:
- A newer model ships. Owners upgrade and list their old phones, so prices for the previous generations step down. The effect builds over the weeks after launch as new phones reach customers.
- Software support ends. When a model drops off the update list, its price falls again. The iPhone 11 is the oldest model on iOS 27, and Samsung and Google now promise seven years of updates on recent flagships. See How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?
- Age. Every year a phone gets older, its price drifts lower even without a launch. The drop is steepest in the first year or two.
Each brand launches on its own calendar, so the step downs arrive at different times of year.
| Phone Line | Usual Launch Window | Latest Launch | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone Pro | September | iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max, September 18, 2026 | Used iPhone 17 Pro and 16 Pro prices usually soften in the weeks after launch as upgraders sell |
| iPhone (standard) | September, moving to spring | iPhone 17, September 2025. The iPhone 18 is expected in spring 2027 | A smaller fall step down for the iPhone 17 and 16 this year, with the bigger one likely in spring |
| Galaxy S | January to March | Galaxy S26, on sale March 11, 2026 | S25 and S24 prices step down after the next Galaxy S launch |
| Pixel | August, with the a-series in spring | Pixel 11, announced August 12, 2026 | Pixel 10 and Pixel 9 prices keep sliding through the fall |
Retail sales events like Black Friday mostly discount current models. Compare any deal against the used price for the same phone before you buy.
Should You Buy Now or Wait?
Buy now if you need a phone in the next few months, or you are shopping one or two generations back. An iPhone 14, iPhone 15, Galaxy S23, or Galaxy S24 is already far below its launch price, and waiting saves little.
Wait a few weeks if you want an iPhone 17 Pro or Pro Max. The iPhone 18 Pro just shipped, and the wave of upgrade sellers is the biggest short-term pressure on those prices. iPhone 18 Pro vs. Used iPhone 16 and 17: Which to Buy compares the options.
Do not wait for a rumor. Reported launch dates and features are rumors until the company announces them. Planning a purchase around one can leave you waiting months for a drop that is smaller than expected.
Are Phones Cheaper on Black Friday?
Black Friday is November 27, 2026, and Cyber Monday is November 30. Many of the biggest phone deals on those days come from carriers and require a new line, a trade-in, or an installment plan, and unlocked discounts on current models tend to be smaller. Before you buy, compare the deal’s full cost with the used price for the same model.
Used prices do not depend on a single sale day. Swappa does not run fake markdowns, because prices are set by real sellers competing every day. See The Truth About 0% Off: Why Swappa Doesn’t Need Fake Sales.
Where the Value Is Right Now
- Lowest price with years of support: the iPhone 15, about $387 with 128GB, or the Galaxy S24, about $324, which Samsung supports until about 2031.
- Best balance: the iPhone 16, about $526, now $273 below Apple’s new price for the same phone.
- Best recent Android flagship: the Galaxy S25, about $425, or the Pixel 10, about $467.
- Under $300: see Best Cheap iPhones in 2026: Top Picks Under $300 and Best Budget Android Phones to Buy Used (2026).
For every generation compared, see Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026), Used Samsung Galaxy S Buyer’s Guide: Which Generation to Get, and Used Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide: Which Pixel Is Worth It. For more ways to cut the cost of an iPhone, see How to Save Money on Your Next iPhone in 2026.
Buying a Used Phone Safely
Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live. Phones must have a clean IMEI or ESN, be paid off and ready to activate, and be free of Activation Lock, cracked glass, and water damage. Payments run through PayPal with buyer protection, or Stripe for select sellers, the 3% buyer fee is already included in the listing price, and if a phone is not as described you are entitled to a return and refund. Buy unlocked when you can, since it works on more carriers and resells to more buyers later.
Selling a Phone? Sell Before the Next Step Down
The same pattern works against sellers. Your phone is worth the most today, and its price will step down when the next model ships. Listing on Swappa is free. When your phone sells, you pay a 3% seller fee plus PayPal or Stripe payment processing, and the buyer pays a separate 3% fee that is added to your Ask Price (see Swappa’s fees). That usually leaves you with more than a trade-in credit. For timing, see Best Time to Sell Your Phone (Before Value Drops), and to compare offers, see Trade In or Sell Your Phone: Which Gets You More Money?. When you are ready, sell your phone on Swappa.
Shopping for a laptop too? The same timing applies: When Will MacBook Prices Drop? Used Price Timing for 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do phone prices drop?
New phone prices rarely drop at Apple, Samsung, or Google, and in 2026 they went up. Used phone prices drop steadily with age and step down when a newer model ships: September for the iPhone Pro, the first quarter for the Galaxy S, and August for the Pixel. The biggest declines come in a phone’s first year or two.
Will iPhone prices drop in 2026?
New iPhone prices are unlikely to drop in 2026 after Apple raised every carryover model by $100 on September 9, 2026. Used iPhone prices continue to fall. As of September 23, 2026, a used iPhone 15 sold for about $387 on Swappa and an iPhone 16 for about $526.
When will the iPhone 17 Pro drop in price?
Used iPhone 17 Pro prices usually soften in the weeks after a new Pro ships, because upgraders list their old phones at once. The iPhone 18 Pro went on sale September 18, 2026, and Apple no longer sells the iPhone 17 Pro new. As of September 23, a 256GB iPhone 17 Pro sold for about $911 on Swappa, about 17% below its launch price.
Do Samsung phones lose value faster than iPhones?
Yes. Based on Swappa sale prices in September 2026, the Galaxy S24 sells for about 60% below its launch price after two and a half years, while the iPhone 16 is about 34% below after two. Google Pixel phones also fall faster than iPhones, which makes used Android flagships a strong value for buyers.
Are phones cheaper on Black Friday?
Some are, but many Black Friday phone deals require a new carrier line, a trade-in, or an installment plan, and unlocked discounts on current models are usually modest. A used phone from one or two generations back is often cheaper than any Black Friday price on a new one, with no single sale day to wait for.
How much value does a phone lose per year?
It depends on the brand and model. Based on Swappa sale prices in September 2026, iPhones sell for about 10% to 30% below launch after one year and about 50% below after three. Galaxy S and Pixel phones typically lose 40% or more in their first year or two.
The Bottom Line
Phone prices are dropping in 2026, just not at the store. New iPhone, Galaxy, and Pixel prices went up this year, while used phones keep falling with age and with every new launch. If you need a phone now, the iPhone 15, iPhone 16, Galaxy S24, and Galaxy S25 are already well below their launch prices on Swappa, and waiting for a rumored discount is unlikely to save much.
