Back Market Announces 2025 Price Trends for Refurbished iPhones and iPads in Japan, France, and the US

Price Decline Ranking in Japan for 2025

In 2025, refurbished iPad series models dominated the top ranks for price decline in Japan. This marks a shift from 2024, when iPhone series models largely occupied the top positions. The increased price depreciation for iPads is attributed to the successive launch of new iPad products, such as the iPad Air 11, in 2025. These new releases likely spurred existing users to upgrade, leading to a greater circulation of older models in the market.

The top models with the largest price declines in Japan are as follows:

• 1st Place: iPad 10.2 (2019) – Average price of ¥32,061 on January 1, 2025, dropped to ¥23,371 (27.1% decrease) at its lowest point.

• 2nd Place: iPad 10.2 (2021) – Average price of ¥49,532 dropped to ¥36,308 (26.7% decrease).

• 3rd Place: iPad mini 7.9 (2019) – Average price of ¥41,227 dropped to ¥31,291 (24.1% decrease).

• 4th Place: iPad 10.2 (2020) – Average price of ¥37,095 dropped to ¥28,192 (24.0% decrease).

• 5th Place: iPhone 12 mini – Average price of ¥42,390 dropped to ¥32,599 (23.1% decrease).

• 6th Place: iPhone SE (2022) – Average price of ¥43,414 dropped to ¥33,429 (23.0% decrease).

• 7th Place: iPad 9.7 (2018) – Average price of ¥22,819 dropped to ¥17,753 (22.2% decrease).

• 8th Place: iPhone SE (2020) – Average price of ¥25,663 dropped to ¥20,376 (20.6% decrease).

• 9th Place: iPhone 12 – Average price of ¥51,704 dropped to ¥41,208 (20.3% decrease).

• 10th Place: iPad Air 10.9 (2022) – Average price of ¥85,235 dropped to ¥68,955 (19.1% decrease).

Summary of Price Trend Results

• iPhone Series: Across all iPhone series, prices generally saw a significant decline from the beginning of the year to the start of the new lifestyle season, with an average drop of 19% at their lowest point.

• iPad Series: The French and US markets for iPad series showed price changes influenced by Black Friday and Christmas sales.

• Global Top Decline: The iPad 10.2 (2019) recorded the highest price decline globally, with a maximum drop of 30.8% in France.

• iPhone 16: While the recently launched iPhone 16 saw substantial price drops in France and the US, the decline in Japan was more modest, peaking at 4.6%.

• Optimal Buying Time in Japan: The period after the new lifestyle season concludes and before new products are released is generally the best time to purchase. Models released more than two years ago experienced price drops exceeding 15%.

iPhone Series Price Trends from New Year to New Lifestyle Season

In the 2025 refurbished market, iPhone prices generally declined from January to April across various countries. This trend differs from previous years, where price drops were typically initiated by new product releases in September. After the new lifestyle season, country-specific differences emerged. France and Japan experienced continuous price declines throughout the year, while the US market saw a temporary stabilization from summer to early autumn, followed by renewed declines from October onwards.

iPad Series Price Trends and Seasonal Impact

Overall, the iPad series experienced larger price declines compared to the iPhone series, with Japan recording a maximum drop of 19.4%. In France and the US, prices continued to fall until October, but the rate of decline slowed in November and December. This deceleration is likely due to increased demand during the Black Friday and Christmas shopping seasons, which may have supported prices.

Global Decline of iPad 10.2 (2019)

The iPad 10.2 (2019), which ranked first in price decline in Japan, also experienced significant drops in France and the US, with France seeing a maximum decline of 30.8%. Across all countries, prices generally fell from January to April. This acceleration in price decline for older generation models is believed to be a consequence of new iPad product launches in March.

iPhone 16 Price Trends: Slower Decline in Japan

Regarding the iPhone 16, released in 2024, price trends in 2025 showed substantial declines in France and the US, with drops exceeding 18% by November. In contrast, Japan experienced a relatively limited price decline, with a maximum drop of 4.6% throughout 2025. This difference may be due to faster trade-ins and increased market supply through resale in France and the US. Additionally, it is inferred that higher awareness and acceptance of refurbished smartphones in these regions, compared to Japan, contribute to a more competitive market structure and faster price depreciation.

Optimal Buying Period in Japan and Model-Specific Declines

Analysis of average price comparisons for individual iPhone models in Japan shows that the iPhone 12 mini recorded the highest price decline, followed by the iPhone SE (2022) and iPhone SE (2020). A general trend observed is that prices tend to decline from May onwards, after the new lifestyle season settles, and into the summer. Notably, models released more than two years ago exhibited annual price decline rates exceeding 15%.

About Back Market Japan K.K.

Back Market, established in France in November 2014, is a unicorn company and the world’s largest marketplace specializing in refurbished electronic devices such as mobile phones and computers. Operating in 17 countries across Asia, Europe, and the US, Back Market maintains high quality standards for refurbished products through rigorous vendor screening, sharing expertise on refurbishment methods for new devices, and developing a unique algorithm that optimizes the balance between quality and price. To ensure customer confidence, Back Market automatically includes a free one-year warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee with every purchase. The company is committed to promoting refurbished products, which offer quality and assurance superior to typical used items, at prices below those of new products. Back Market’s corporate mission emphasizes sustainable and environmentally friendly business practices, evidenced by its B Corporation (B Corp) certification in April 2023. Refurbished products reduce raw material consumption, water usage, electronic waste generation, and atmospheric CO2 emissions by approximately one-tenth compared to new products, aligning with Back Market’s goal of expanding the refurbished market to lessen environmental impact.

For more information, please visit Back Market Japan.