Now is the time to buy a used iPhone.

With Apple potentially raising iPhone prices soon, the benefits of buying a used phone have become a topic of great interest to many.

Many people hesitate when buying a used iPhone. Essentially, this helps protect the environment and saves money. With the current volatile market, Wired suggests that used iPhones are becoming increasingly attractive.

Based on recent statements from CEO Tim Cook to the WSJ, Apple products will soon become more expensive. For those who prioritize a balance between cost and value, they may lean towards older iPhones, accepting certain trade-offs in upgrades and features.

Buying used items has never been more reasonable. Phones from the last few years are really good.

Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit, a technology repair and consulting service.

Benefits of buying a used iPhone

In a recent interview with the WSJ, Cook admitted that Apple can no longer afford the rising cost of memory chips. A price increase has become "unavoidable."

Cook did not specify a timeframe or the expected increase. However, some rumors suggest the company may raise product prices this month.

According to Wired, this is a consequence of the shortage of memory, a crucial component in iPhones and technology devices in general. Global AI businesses have such high demand that memory chip companies are focusing production on the server market instead of the general consumer market.

In recent months, the consumer electronics market, including laptops, gaming consoles, and some mobile phone brands, has had to raise product prices. Apple tried to maintain stability but could not hold out any longer.

iPhone 13 Pro (left) and iPhone 13. Photo: iMore.

According to Wired, this instability also comes a year after the Trump administration imposed tariffs, combined with the impact of the US-Iran conflict. With increasingly scarce component supplies, companies like Apple have to pass on the resulting costs to customers.

Apple has taken several steps in response. At the WWDC conference in early June, the company stated that iOS 26 would be optimized for faster and more stable iPhone performance. Some of the upgrades include improvements to the software resource allocation mechanism for the CPU.

According to data released by Apple, the system optimization brings about specific improvements. These include a 30% increase in app launch speed and up to 70% faster loading of new photos in the library compared to before.

+30%

App launch speed on iOS 26 compared to before.

+70%

New photos appear in the library faster (maximum).

Apple's improvements allow iOS 26 to run smoothly even on older iPhones, such as the iPhone 11. This means users can confidently buy used iPhones without worrying about losing updates after 1-2 years.

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Repairing or maintaining an older iPhone is often cheaper than a new one. For example, Apple charges $120 to replace the battery in an iPhone 17, while it costs $90 for an iPhone 13.

The cost of replacing a genuine Apple battery.

UNIT: USD

Replacing the battery in an old device is about $30 cheaper. Source: Apple, Wired.

"You can save a significant amount of money by buying a used phone about a year ago, then replacing the battery every six months," Wiens said.

The right time

Apple has reportedly tried to delay price increases for as long as possible. Jitesh Ubrani, a researcher at IDC, emphasizes that Apple has largely borne the costs so far. The company even launched the $600 MacBook Neo in March, at a time when memory shortages were becoming serious.

"The company has shown quite goodwill recently. I think Apple doesn't want to jeopardize that image by raising prices across the board," Ubrani commented.

According to Wired, the price increase could affect newer devices. Apple is expected to launch the iPhone 18 Pro and foldable iPhone in September. Unless something changes, these models will be significantly more expensive.

If you're willing to compromise a bit on camera quality or advanced AI features, Wired writer Boone Ashworth suggests that buying a used phone might be a better option in the near future.

"Most users replace their phones after 2.5 years, but the trend of keeping devices longer is continuing. Buying used devices is also becoming more popular," Ashworth shared.

The market for used iPhones will also inevitably experience an upward price trend. Photo: New York Times.

Back Market, a marketplace for refurbished technology, is expected to see a surge in sales in 2025 as consumers worry about Trump's tariff policies.

Thibaud Hug de Larauze, CEO of Back Market, said the company's sales also increased slightly following Cook's latest announcement.

"They don't want to spend $2,000 on the next iPhone. We do everything we can to get users to keep their current device for as long as possible," Hug de Larauze emphasized.

Of course, the used goods market will eventually feel the pinch. According to research firm Counterpoint Research, sales of refurbished smartphones will indeed increase in 2025, but at a slower pace than expected.

When prices rise, used items can also become more expensive. According to Hug de Larauze, price increases for used items can occur within 3-6 months.

"The value of all electronic devices globally has increased. Just like the stock market when market capitalization rises, everything you own is worth more," Wiens said.

Apple's Half-Century of Success and Failure

Today, tech empires rise and fall so quickly that it's hard to imagine any names surviving for half a century. Only a select few have managed this, and Apple is one of them.

David Pogue's book "Apple" sheds light on the innovations throughout the 50-year history of this tech giant.

Source: https://znews.vn/day-la-luc-nen-mua-iphone-cu-post1662314.html