In just a few weeks on the market, the dubious prominenceIts resale price is falling at a much faster rate than other recent Apple models. The first ten weeks on the market have been enough to position it as the worst iPhone in terms of value retention since 2022.
The data collected by the platform SellCellBased on information from dozens of buyback companies, a bleak scenario is painted for those who have opted for this thinner model of the iPhone 17 family, especially if in Spain or Europe there are plans to sell it in the short term to finance the next update.
An unprecedented price drop for the iPhone Air
The SellCell report shows that 47,4%-47,7% of its value in the first ten weeks after its launch, depending on the version and storage capacity analyzed. This drop makes it the model with the worst resale performance among all the iPhones studied since the 2022 generation.
The consulting firm has analyzed 52 variants of iPhones released since the iPhone 14 series, comparing depreciation at different times. Although in the first week the iPhone 16 series fell somewhat more, with an average loss of around 42%, the situation changed as the days went by and left the iPhone Air at the bottom of the list.
Around the sixth weekThe average loss in value of the iPhone Air was already around 43,4%, exceeding the drop of the iPhone 16 (40,3%) and well above the performance of the rest of the iPhone 17 family, which remained at approximately 36,7%.
Ten weeks after launch, SellCell concludes that they stabilize in its secondhand price, while the iPhone Air continues to decline. According to the report, this continued trend points to potential long-term confidence issues in the resale market.
At the opposite extreme, the iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB It appears as the best positioned in the current range, with a depreciation of around 26,1% after that same period, far from the collapse suffered by the Air model.
Comparison with other generations of iPhone
Beyond the specific case of the iPhone Air, SellCell emphasizes that the iPhone 17 family Overall, it behaves quite similarly to what we've seen in previous generations. The drop in value of these models aligns with the brand's historical patterns in the used car market.
The average depreciation of the entire iPhone 17 range after ten weeks is around 34,6%This represents a better result than that recorded by the iPhone 16, which dropped 39% in the same period, and also more positive than that of the iPhone 14 series, which was around 36,6%.
However, the benchmark remains the iPhone 15which remains the champion in terms of preserving value: its loss was limited to around 31,9% during the first ten weeks, according to the same estimates. For those in Spain or Europe who typically change their mobile phone every year, these percentages make a clear difference when it comes to recouping their investment.
In that relatively stable historical context, It deviates from the normWhile the rest of the current models follow the usual pattern of stabilization after the initial drop in the first few weeks, the Air continues to slide downwards, opening a notable gap with respect to its generation siblings.
The iPhone Air's specs, model by model
Upon closer inspection, the photo becomes even clearer. 256 GBWith a launch price of around $999 in the United States, it has already lost about 40,3% of its value in buybacks and second-hand markets in that ten-week period.
The version of 512 GB It performs even worse, with an approximate depreciation of 45%, according to the compiled figures. That is, almost half of its initial value vanishes in just over two months, something unusual for Apple's high-end range.
The most expensive model, the 1 TBThe iPhone 17 is the worst performer of the bunch: it's currently selling for around $668 compared to a launch price of nearly $1.399. That represents a loss of approximately 47,7%, a drop that far exceeds the average for the rest of the iPhone 17 family.
Taken together, these figures confirm that the Worst recent iPhone in value retentionAccording to historical data collected by SellCell since 2022, while other premium Apple models manage to maintain part of their price thanks to sustained demand, the Air seems unable to find its niche either in stores or on the used market.
Cut production and weak demand for the iPhone Air
Resale behavior is not the only worrying indicator. Supply chain reports and the Kuo's analysis of iPhone 17 demand they suggest that the production The iPhone Air's production run would have been significantly reduced due to weaker-than-expected sales, especially outside of China.
Industry sources cited by specialized media outlets, such as Nikkei, indicate that manufacturing orders for November would already be in place. less than 10% of the volume recorded in September. In other words, production would have been reduced to practically nothing in just a few weeks.
An executive at a component supplier went so far as to describe the situation as a phase nearing the end of production for the iPhone Air, which suggests that, although the model is still officially in the catalog, it would not be a priority for the company in the medium term.
At the same time, Apple would have opted to increase production of the standard iPhone 17 in several million units, to propel it to become the world's largest manufacturerand also bolster the production of the Pro models, taking advantage of the better reception of the rest of the range. The initial prediction that the Air would represent between 10% and 15% of total iPhone production in 2025 seems, today, very far from reality.
Impact for users in Spain and Europe
Those who have bought an iPhone Air in Spain or other European countries and are used to renew your cell phone Every year or two, they encounter a less favorable scenario than usual. The device loses value so rapidly that buyback offers can fall far short of what many expected when making the investment.
In markets where programs of trade-in and buyback As is common with plans offered by some carriers, physical stores, or online platforms, accelerated depreciation means that the money you get for trading in your iPhone Air will be less compared to other models of the same or previous generations.
The situation could become even more tense when Apple unveils its next new products, including the iPhone 18 and the highly anticipated foldable iPhone (iPhone Fold, according to rumors). Each new release typically puts downward pressure on the resale prices of previous models, and for a device that has already proven vulnerable, the adjustment could be particularly significant.
For many European users who use the selling your old iPhone As part of the budget for the next purchase, this behavior of the Air forces a recalculation of numbers: perhaps extending its useful life, delaying the change of mobile phone or evaluating alternatives within the iPhone 17 range itself that are retaining value better.
Everything suggests that the iPhone Air has become, at least for now, a riskier bet In terms of resale value, it's not as strong as other Apple models. While the iPhone 17 range generally holds its own and follows fairly stable historical patterns, the Air stands out with rapid depreciation, reduced production, and less attractive trade-in prospects for those hoping to recoup some of their investment.
