I’ve been using Apple products for years, and currently, it's the perfect time to purchase from the used market.

      With iPhone prices set to increase, purchasing from the used market is more advantageous than ever.

      Apple is gearing up to increase iPhone prices in the next few months. CEO Tim Cook informed The Wall Street Journal this week that rising memory costs, influenced by the needs of AI for the same chips, have made this decision necessary. For years, Apple managed to keep prices stable, probably by absorbing some of the escalating component costs, but that margin now seems to have disappeared. As someone who has been buying and using Apple products for years, I believe this is the ideal time to forgo waiting for the latest release and instead explore the used market.

      The savings accumulate quickly

      A brand-new iPhone was expensive even before this latest price hike was announced, and the divide between new and used devices has only widened. Counterpoint Research analyst Emily Herbert mentioned to the Journal that the secondary market is attracting a broader range of buyers than before, including parents who are reluctant to spend around $2,000 on a phone for their young teenager.

      This reasoning applies to many adults as well. Opting for a refurbished or certified pre-owned model over the latest chip still provides you with a phone that can manage everyday tasks, but at a significantly lower price, and the demand for that compromise is increasing.

      Choosing where to buy

      Apple has its own refurbished store, and several third-party marketplaces have established trustworthy reputations. For example, Back Market only collaborates with professional sellers who go through inventory audits and offers a 30-day return policy on purchases. Reebelo screens its merchants with background checks and provides 12-month warranties covering hardware and software problems.

      Swappa requires sellers to validate their listings with photos and serial numbers before they can go live. However, founder Ben Edwards has acknowledged the presence of scammers finding new methods, including using AI-generated images. Purchasing through platforms like Amazon, Facebook Marketplace, or eBay carries more risk, but sellers with a long history of positive ratings are often reliable, assuming you are also informed about what distinguishes a safe refurbished purchase from a risky one.

      Things to verify before committing

      Before you finalize your purchase of a used iPhone, ensure it is unlocked and compatible with your carrier, and check the remaining software support. Newer AI features, such as the revamped Siri experience recently introduced by Apple, will only function on iPhone 15 Pro and later models, so an older phone might continue receiving security updates without gaining access to those features.

      You should also assess the battery health and inspect the device for any physical damage. Utilizing Apple's diagnostics mode is another effective way to identify faulty hardware, as it tests the display, camera, speakers, and other components in just a few minutes.

      With iPhone prices unlikely to decrease anytime soon due to the ongoing memory shortage, I’ve shifted my perspective and no longer view purchasing used as a secondary option. It has become the more sensible way to shop.

      Pranob is an experienced tech journalist with over eight years of expertise in consumer technology coverage.

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