Electronics are the highest-volume, fastest-moving category in reselling. They're also the trickiest to price because values depreciate constantly. An iPhone that's worth $800 today could be worth $650 in three months when the next model drops.
This guide covers how to price every major electronics category — smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles, headphones, and more — with real current market prices, depreciation patterns, and platform-specific strategies.
The Electronics Depreciation Curve
Unlike sneakers or vintage clothing, electronics lose value predictably. Understanding the depreciation curve is the single most important skill for electronics reselling:
- Smartphones: Lose 25-35% of retail value in year 1, another 20-25% in year 2, then stabilize
- Laptops: Lose 20-30% in year 1, then 15-20% annually. MacBooks hold value 30-40% better than Windows
- Gaming consoles: Hold value well (10-15% annual depreciation) until the next generation drops, then crash 30-50%
- Headphones: Lose 30-40% as soon as a new model launches, then depreciate slowly
- Tablets: Similar curve to smartphones but slightly slower depreciation
The golden rule: Price electronics to sell within 1-2 weeks. The longer they sit, the more value they lose. This is the opposite of vintage clothing, where waiting can sometimes increase value.
Smartphones: Current Market Prices
Smartphones are the bread and butter of electronics reselling. Here are current market values as of February 2026:
iPhones
| Model | Storage | Excellent Condition | Good Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max | 256GB | $850-1000 | $750-880 |
| iPhone 15 Pro | 128GB | $700-850 | $600-730 |
| iPhone 15 | 128GB | $550-680 | $460-580 |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max | 256GB | $650-800 | $550-680 |
| iPhone 14 Pro | 128GB | $520-650 | $430-550 |
| iPhone 13 Pro | 128GB | $370-480 | $300-400 |
| iPhone 13 | 128GB | $280-370 | $230-300 |
| iPhone SE 3rd Gen | 64GB | $150-210 | $120-170 |
Samsung
| Model | Storage | Excellent Condition | Good Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S24 Ultra | 256GB | $750-920 | $630-780 |
| Galaxy S24+ | 256GB | $550-680 | $450-570 |
| Galaxy S23 Ultra | 256GB | $550-680 | $450-570 |
| Galaxy Z Fold 5 | 256GB | $750-900 | $620-780 |
Key pricing factors for phones:
- Carrier lock: Unlocked phones sell for 10-15% more than carrier-locked
- Battery health: Below 80% battery health = 15-25% price reduction
- Storage: Each storage tier up adds $30-80 in value
- Color: Rare colors (Deep Purple, Blue Titanium) can command 5-10% premiums
- Included accessories: Original box + charger adds $20-40 perceived value
- iCloud/FRP lock: Locked phones are essentially worthless for resale. Always verify before buying.
Gaming Consoles: Current Market Prices
| Console | Condition | Market Value |
|---|---|---|
| PS5 Slim Disc Edition | Excellent/CIB | $380-460 |
| PS5 Slim Digital | Excellent/CIB | $310-390 |
| PS5 Pro | Excellent/CIB | $600-720 |
| Xbox Series X | Excellent/CIB | $340-420 |
| Xbox Series S | Excellent/CIB | $180-240 |
| Nintendo Switch OLED | Excellent/CIB | $250-320 |
| Nintendo Switch Lite | Excellent | $120-170 |
| Steam Deck OLED 512GB | Excellent | $400-500 |
| Steam Deck OLED 1TB | Excellent | $500-620 |
| Meta Quest 3 128GB | Excellent/CIB | $340-420 |
Console pricing tips:
- CIB (Complete in Box) adds 15-25% over console-only
- Bundle with games: Popular games add value. A PS5 + 3 AAA games sells faster than a standalone console
- Controller condition: Drift on Joy-Cons or stick wear on controllers reduces value by $20-40
- Limited editions: Spider-Man PS5, Zelda Switch OLED, etc. command 20-50% premiums
- Timing: Console values dip during holiday sales (Black Friday, Prime Day) and spike in January/February
Laptops: Current Market Prices
MacBooks
| Model | Config | Market Value |
|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro 14" M3 Pro (2023) | 18GB/512GB | $1300-1650 |
| MacBook Pro 16" M3 Max (2023) | 36GB/1TB | $2200-2700 |
| MacBook Air 15" M3 (2024) | 16GB/256GB | $950-1180 |
| MacBook Air 13" M2 (2022) | 8GB/256GB | $680-850 |
| MacBook Air 13" M1 (2020) | 8GB/256GB | $450-580 |
MacBook pricing factors:
- Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3) holds value dramatically better than older Intel Macs
- RAM upgrades add significant value — 16GB vs 8GB adds $80-150
- Battery cycle count matters: under 100 cycles = full value, 100-500 = slight discount, 500+ = 15-20% off
- Cosmetic dents on aluminum reduce value 10-20% even if functional
Windows Laptops
Windows laptops depreciate much faster than MacBooks. A general rule: Windows laptops lose 40-50% of retail in year 1, while MacBooks lose 20-30%. The exception is gaming laptops with high-end GPUs, which hold slightly better.
Headphones & Audio
| Product | Market Value |
|---|---|
| AirPods Pro 2 (USB-C) | $140-190 |
| AirPods Max | $330-430 |
| AirPods 3rd Gen | $90-130 |
| Sony WH-1000XM5 | $200-280 |
| Bose QC Ultra Headphones | $240-320 |
How to Check Electronics Prices Quickly
- BundleLive Price Index — 100+ electronics with real resale prices, updated regularly
- eBay Sold Listings — Search the exact model + storage + condition, filter by Sold. Use last 30 days only.
- Swappa — Dedicated electronics marketplace with transparent pricing by condition grade
- Back Market — Refurbished electronics marketplace. Good for understanding wholesale/refurb pricing.
- Facebook Marketplace — Check local sold prices (usually 10-20% below eBay due to no fees)
Platform Strategy for Electronics
eBay
Best for: All electronics. Highest prices due to global reach. Use Buy It Now with Best Offer. Price 5-10% above eBay comps to account for negotiation. Offer free shipping (factor into price). eBay fees: ~13.25%
Facebook Marketplace
Best for: Phones, consoles, laptops — anything where buyers want to test before purchasing. Local sales = 0% fees. Shipped = ~5-6%. Price 10-15% below eBay for local pickup (no fees = same net profit).
Mercari
Best for: Budget electronics, accessories. Quick sales but slightly lower prices than eBay. Fees: ~10%
Whatnot
Best for: Gaming consoles, retro electronics, collectible tech. Auction format can drive premium prices for desirable items. Use BundleLive to track your electronics sales performance.
Testing & Grading Electronics
Unlike clothing, electronics need functional testing before pricing. Here's what to check:
Smartphones
- Screen: Dead pixels, burn-in, cracked glass (front and back)
- Battery health: Settings → Battery → Battery Health (iPhone) or AccuBattery (Android)
- All buttons functional
- Cameras work (front and rear)
- Speakers and microphone work
- Cellular/WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity
- Most critical: NOT iCloud/FRP locked. Check before buying.
Laptops
- Screen: Dead pixels, backlight bleed, hinge condition
- Keyboard: All keys functional, no sticky keys
- Battery: Cycle count and health percentage
- Ports: Test all USB/Thunderbolt ports
- Speakers and webcam functional
- Storage health: Use CrystalDiskInfo (Windows) or DriveDx (Mac)
Consoles
- Disc drive reads and plays games
- Controllers: Stick drift, button response, trigger function
- HDMI output works
- WiFi connects and downloads
- Fan noise: Excessive noise = potential thermal paste issue
- Factory reset completed (no accounts linked)
The Depreciation Calendar
Timing matters enormously for electronics pricing. Here are the key dates:
- September: New iPhone launch. Previous gen iPhones drop 15-25% within weeks.
- October-November: New MacBook/iPad announcements. Previous models drop immediately.
- November (Black Friday/Cyber Monday): Retail discounts make used prices drop temporarily. WORST time to sell.
- January-February: Post-holiday used electronics flood the market from gifts. Prices dip, then recover by March.
- June (E3/Summer Games): Console price adjustments and new model announcements.
- July (Prime Day): Retail discounts push used prices down for 1-2 weeks.
The best time to sell electronics: 2-4 weeks BEFORE a new model is announced. If you know Apple's event is in September, sell your iPhone in August.
Sourcing Electronics for Resale
Where to find electronics at prices that make resale profitable:
- Facebook Marketplace local pickups: Best source. People routinely price phones/consoles 20-40% below market value for quick local sales.
- Estate sales: Older electronics (retro consoles, vintage audio) at estate sale prices
- Liquidation pallets: Electronics pallets from Amazon/Target returns. Hit-or-miss but can yield 2-3x ROI.
- Trade-in arbitrage: Buy used phones locally, sell on eBay at higher price. Your margin is the convenience premium.
- Retail clearance: End-of-life electronics at Target/Walmart clearance. Check Brickseek for local inventory.
Common Electronics Pricing Mistakes
- Not accounting for depreciation speed: That iPhone you bought to flip loses $5-10/week in value. Price to sell fast.
- Ignoring carrier lock status: A carrier-locked phone is worth 10-15% less. Verify before pricing.
- Not testing before buying: A phone with a bad battery or hidden water damage destroys your margin.
- Pricing based on retail: Used electronics aren't priced as "retail minus X%." They're priced based on sold comps.
- Forgetting platform fees: That $500 eBay sale puts $433.75 in your pocket after fees. Use the free fee calculator to check.
The Bottom Line
Electronics reselling rewards speed and knowledge. The sellers who make money know exactly what an iPhone 14 Pro 128GB in good condition is worth on any given day, and they price to move within a week.
Use sold comps, understand the depreciation curve, test everything before buying, and sell on the right platform for each item. Do that consistently, and electronics becomes one of the most reliable reselling categories with strong, predictable margins.