Samsung Galaxy phones have generally had lower resale values compared to iPhones. That’s one of the reasons why Samsung gives generous trade-in values when you buy a Galaxy phone directly from it.
However, the tide seems to be shifting. iPhones are new seeing their values decline faster while Samsung devices have seen a big improvement in their resale values, according to new data.
Galaxy phone resale values could overtake iPhones by 2026
SellCell notes that five months after launch, the iPhone 16’s resale values are down 53.4% compared to just 24.7% for the iPhone 13. That’s a 10.7% depreciation increase over four generations. The iPhone 16 series has also depreciated faster than the iPhone 15.
The resale value of Galaxy phones is trending up. Galaxy S25’s depreciation five months post-launch is at 46.6%, an improvement from 51.9% for the Galaxy S22. This represents a 5.3% gain in resale value retention. The Galaxy S25 series has depreciated slower compared to its predecessor, showcasing continued strength.
Even as Apple continues to have better resale values in absolute terms, this trend is now expected to continue as the difference between iPhones and Galaxy phones is shrinking. The crossover point is predicted to be in 2026 when Galaxy devices are likely to have more resale value than iPhones.
A lot can change between then and now. Major upgrades from Apple could stem the decline or Samsung’s value retention could accelerate even faster. What’s clear, though, is that while once considered the best option in terms of resale value, the iPhone no longer has that strategic advantage over Galaxy devices.