Apple iPhone owners warned of September 2026 'double hit' price rise

Apple iPhone owners warned of September 2026 'double hit' price rise A warning has been issued to anyone thinking of upgrading their Apple devices this year Apple users planning to upgrade their iPhones this September could find themselves paying more than they expected. A tech expert has issued a warning that two changes happening around the same time may leave people with less money to put towards their next device. Sam Wilson, director at refurbished technology specialist Gadget GoGo, says consumers should consider the value of their existing iPhone before Apple's rumored keynote takes place next month. He warns that waiting could mean the replacement costs more while the phone being traded in or sold is worth less. Research from Mintel suggests the UK smartphone market is facing pressures including component shortages, tariffs, and wider supply issues. It points to factors that could contribute to higher smartphone prices, although the eventual cost of any new iPhone will depend on Apple's pricing decision. At the same time, research from IGT, citing figures from CCS Insight, indicates smartphones can lose a substantial proportion of their original retail value during their first year. It says iPhones specifically can lose up to 60 per cent over that period. Wilson said: "Waiting until Apple reveals its new devices sounds like the sensible thing to do, but financially it can work against you. You could be paying more for the new iPhone at exactly the same time as the one in your pocket becomes worth less." For someone intending to sell their existing handset to help fund an upgrade, timing definitely matters. The amount received for an old phone effectively forms part of the budget for its replacement, meaning depreciation can affect the overall cost of moving to a newer model. Wilson said people should not wait until Apple's announcement before checking what their current device could fetch. He said: "Your current iPhone is part of your upgrade budget too, so what you can get back for it matters." Anyone already certain they want to upgrade could therefore check current resale or trade-in prices before September. Wilson also suggests investigating whether a resale price can be secured ahead of the launch rather than automatically waiting until Apple's new devices are available. That does not mean every iPhone owner should sell immediately, particularly if they still need their handset. But knowing its current value gives consumers a clearer idea of how much they may have available when they eventually decide to upgrade. Apple has not yet confirmed the price of its next iPhone range, meaning shoppers should treat predictions about higher launch prices as exactly that until the company makes an announcement. Wilson added: "Everyone will be watching what Apple charges in September. But if you're planning to upgrade, you should be watching the value of the phone already in your hand just as closely."