Typically, when you purchase a brand new Apple device, the value drops almost immediately, especially once you surpass the 14-day return window. You might also assume that bulk purchasers would pay significantly less than the retail price.
However, one major player in the resale market has a different story. They report that they are currently selling bulk quantities of the iPhone 16 at prices exceeding retail …
B-Stock, renowned as the largest B2B reseller of returned and overstocked goods, highlights that they are successfully selling numerous iPhone 16 models to bulk buyers for as much as 1.5% above the retail price.
This isn’t the first time B-Stock has observed such a trend; they noted a similar occurrence with the iPhone 12. They propose four key reasons for this price increase.
Firstly, while several iPhone 16 models can be picked up immediately from Apple locations, certain configurations face longer wait times. In some regions, the wait is so extensive that consumers are willing to pay more for quicker delivery.
Secondly, in multiple countries, the retail costs are substantially higher than in the U.S. due to steep import taxes. Phones that are technically classified as used—even if they are brand new and unopened—may incur lower duties. As a result, there’s a significant demand for such phones in markets across Asia, South America, and the Middle East.
Thirdly, this situation can also apply domestically. Each U.S. state provides some form of sales tax exemption for wholesale purchases, making it more economical for businesses to acquire units in bulk, even at a slight premium, rather than pay full retail prices alongside higher sales taxes.
The resale value of the iPhone 12 remains robust. The subsequent models released after the 12 haven’t offered consumers enough incentive to upgrade, as they are largely similar in functionality and design.
The used market still sees significant sales of the iPhone 13, particularly in the Pro Max variant.
Interestingly, the iPhone 15 Pro Max can retail for up to 74% of its original price in bulk sales, and B-Stock indicates that this valuation remains unaffected by the release of the iPhone 16.
Photo by Semeon Hrozian on Unsplash
