Mobihub Price Check: How Low Will the iPhone 15 Series Go This Month?

The holiday shopping season of 2025 is in full swing. With the spectacular iPhone 17 Series dominating headlines and the iPhone 16 Series establishing itself as the new value champion, the iPhone 15 Series—once the king of the castle—has settled firmly into the role of the deep-discount darling.For the savvy shopper, December 2025 presents the absolute sweet spot for purchasing the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 15 Pro, or 15 Pro Max. The aggressive price cuts initiated by the iPhone 16’s launch have stabilized, and retailers are now pushing out remaining inventory to clear the shelves for the new year.This edition of the BestPrice Check dives into the current market reality for the iPhone 15 series, analyzing both certified refurbished pricing and carrier trade-in incentives to tell you exactly how low the price can go this month.1. The Market Reality: Two Generations LaterThe key factor dictating the low prices for the iPhone 15 series is its age. Having been replaced by the iPhone 16 and subsequently shadowed by the iPhone 17, the 15-series is officially a legacy device.The Depreciation SnapshotHistorical data shows that the iPhone 15 series experienced one of the sharpest first-year depreciation rates, shedding an average of 50% to 55% of its original value within the first 12 months. Now, after the iPhone 17 launch, the baseline price has plummeted further.Model (128GB/256GB Base)Original Launch PriceExpected Current Price (Refurbished, Excellent Condition)Price DropiPhone 15 (128GB)$\text{\$799}$$\sim\text{\$437 - \$530}$$\sim45\% - 55\%$iPhone 15 Plus (128GB)$\text{\$899}$$\sim\text{\$480 - \$580}$$\sim40\% - 50\%$iPhone 15 Pro (128GB)$\text{\$999}$$\sim\text{\$550 - \$650}$$\sim35\% - 45\%$iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB)$\text{\$1,199}$$\sim\text{\$651 - \$743}$$\sim38\% - 45\%$(Source: Aggregated data from major refurbishing sites and secondary market analyses as of December 2025. Prices vary significantly based on storage size and external condition.)The bottom line? The iPhone 15 is now a true mid-range phone in terms of cost, offering flagship performance for nearly half its original price.2. Mobihub Price Check: Unlocked Retailer PricingFor consumers who prefer buying unlocked (without a carrier contract), the best deals are found in the refurbished and certified pre-owned markets. This is where the price goes truly low.The Standard Models: iPhone 15 and 15 PlusThe iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are the most heavily discounted models, as they lack the 'Pro' features that maintain resale value.iPhone 15 (128GB): This model is now routinely available in "Excellent" refurbished condition for approximately $437 and can drop as low as $395 for a "Good" condition unit.Best Buy and Walmart are frequently running limited-time "3-Day Deals" that drop the price on refurbished units to the $400 - $530 range, making it a highly accessible option.iPhone 15 Plus (128GB): Due to its slightly niche market position (users often jump straight to the Pro Max), the Plus model can see equally aggressive drops, hovering around the $500 - $580 mark for a top-tier refurbished unit.The Pro Models: iPhone 15 Pro and Pro MaxThe Pro models hold their value better due to their A17 Pro chip, Titanium build, and Pro-level cameras (especially the 5x telephoto on the Pro Max). However, their prices are still very low relative to their launch cost.iPhone 15 Pro (128GB): Certified Refurbished models start around $550, but expect to pay closer to $650 for a highly desirable, "Excellent" condition unit with high battery health.iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB): This is the ultimate prize for value seekers. While its original starting price was $1,199, excellent condition refurbished models are starting at approximately $651 this month, pushing toward $743 for higher-storage (1TB) variants.The Psychological Price Point: The iPhone 15 Pro Max is expected to dip below the $600 threshold for a "Good" condition 256GB model by the end of the holiday period, making it a critical psychological barrier for used phone retailers.3. The True Low Price: Carrier Deals and Trade-InsThe lowest effective price for the iPhone 15 series is achieved not by buying unlocked, but by leveraging carrier trade-in incentives designed to hook you into a 36-month installment plan.The Carrier Strategy: Bill CreditsMajor carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile) are no longer offering the iPhone 15 series brand new. Instead, they focus on using the 15-series as an incredibly valuable trade-in device towards the newer iPhone 16 or 17.Trade-in Value on the 15 Pro Max: As of December 2025, a fully functioning iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) is eligible for up to $700 in bill credits towards an iPhone 17 or 17 Pro Max purchase.Trade-in Value on the 15/15 Plus: The standard iPhone 15 and 15 Plus are still excellent trade-in devices, typically fetching $300 - $500 in bill credits depending on the specific promotion and the new device being purchased.Carrier StrategyEffective PriceCaveatTrade-In (Towards new iPhone 17)The iPhone 15 becomes FREERequires a 36-month installment plan and high-tier unlimited data plan.Refurbished Contract (UK/EU)As low as £62/month (24 months)Total cost is often higher than buying unlocked due to interest/plan cost.The Bottom Line: If your goal is to pay the least out-of-pocket for a phone, and you are comfortable with a 3-year carrier commitment, trading in a newer, high-value iPhone 15 Pro Max for a top-tier iPhone 17 Pro is the way to essentially get the 15 Pro Max's original value back.4. Why the iPhone 15 Series is an Unbeatable Value in 2025The extreme drop in price makes the iPhone 15 series a generational value proposition that the newer models simply cannot match on a dollar-for-dollar basis.A. The A17 Pro PowerhouseThe A17 Pro chip (in the 15 Pro/Pro Max) remains an absolute beast. Even two generations later, its 3nm architecture is faster than 90% of the Android devices released this year. It handles high-fidelity gaming (like Resident Evil Village) and complex video editing with ease. For the average user, the speed difference between the A17 Pro and the current A19 Bionic is purely academic.B. Titanium and Action ButtonThe 15 Pro and Pro Max introduced the Titanium chassis and the Action Button. These are Pro-level features that make the phone feel modern and premium. At current prices, you get a premium materials experience that holds up aesthetically against the iPhone 17 Pro.C. Camera LongevityThe 48MP Main Camera and 5x Optical Telephoto (on the Pro Max) are still phenomenal systems. While the iPhone 17 Pro introduced new sensor tweaks and AI enhancements, the core image quality and versatility of the 15 Pro Max remain exceptional, offering a true flagship photography experience for a mid-range cost.D. The USB-C and Dynamic Island StandardThe iPhone 15 was the first to unify charging via USB-C and bring the Dynamic Island to the standard models. These features ensure that the 15 series is fully compatible with modern accessories and looks aesthetically current, unlike the older iPhone 14 models with their Lightning ports and notches.Final Verdict: The Low Price Forecast for December 2025The month of December 2025 is characterized by a stable but aggressively low price floor for the iPhone 15 series.The Lowest Price You Will Pay (Refurbished, Unlocked):iPhone 15: Under $400 for a "Good" condition unit.iPhone 15 Pro Max: Under $600 for a "Good" condition 256GB unit.The Highest Value Trade-In: Use your iPhone 15 Pro Max to secure maximum bill credits (up to $700) on a new iPhone 17 Pro, effectively getting a free upgrade on a new 36-month line.If you are upgrading from an iPhone 13 or older, the leap to the iPhone 15 is a revolutionary experience encompassing USB-C, the Dynamic Island, and the powerful A17 Pro/A16 Bionic chips—all at a price that makes it the best bargain on the market this holiday season.