The Shift to Secondhand: Gen Z's Smart Move on iPhone Purchases

Gen Z knows how to stretch their dollars, especially when it comes to tech. Instead of jumping on the newest iPhone every time one drops, a lot of them buy used. This isn’t a new thing; younger Apple fans have been leaning toward secondhand iPhones for years.

According to CIRP, 16 percent of iPhone buyers aged 18-24 bought a used iPhone this year, compared to just 8 percent last year. One likely reason is price. With tight budgets, many in this age group would rather save cash by getting an older iPhone that still works than invest $800 or more in the new iPhone 16; whether it’s for social media, texting, or reading, most older phones are just as useful as the latest models. They’re aware that the upgrades between iPhone generations don’t always justify the cost of a brand-new device.

As CIRP’s analysis shows, the stimulus checks during the 2020 pandemic led to a noticeable decline in used iPhone sales. In the two years following this financial boost, the number of used iPhone purchases among this age group dropped by nearly half. This shows that when there’s more cash to spend, people might be more likely to splurge on a new device. However, when money is tight, Gen Z might tend to prioritize function over the flashiness of a new release. They opt for something that delivers what they need but without the high price tag: a used iPhone.

Apple drops a new iPhone series every single year. Gen Z’s practical approach shows they’re less focused on always having the newest phone and more on getting value out of their tech purchases. If the money is there, they might use it to buy the newest iPhone; when it isn’t, they’re perfectly fine downgrading until the time is right.

This could end up giving Apple something to think about. They count on getting people excited about new iPhones every year, but if more people keep leaning toward used models, it might make it harder for Apple to push new sales as much as they’re used to.