When purchasing a smartphone, consumers not only consider specifications and AI features, but also the “resale value” has become an important factor for many when upgrading their devices. Market data shows that Samsung Galaxy phones have the competitive strength to rival iPhones in terms of durability, hardware performance, and camera performance. However, despite Samsung significantly improving product specifications and extending system update support duration, the depreciation rate of Galaxy phones is still noticeably faster than that of iPhones.
According to data from the US secondhand trading platform Swappa, Samsung phones generally depreciate faster than iPhones, including the Galaxy S26 series that was launched at the end of February this year.
Swappa pointed out that the depreciation rate of the three models in the iPhone 17 series launched by Apple in September last year, including the iPhone 17, 17 Pro, and 17 Pro Max, is lower than that of most models in the Galaxy S26 series. Even the less popular iPhone Air holds its value better than the Galaxy S26 series.
Market data from the past few years also indicates that iPhones generally retain their value better in the secondhand market compared to other brands.
Technology product commentator Chris Smith stated that for consumers who frequently upgrade their phones every one or two years and do not mind the differences between iOS and Android, choosing an iPhone may be more cost-effective than the Galaxy S series. This is because iPhones tend to have higher resale prices in the future. Even if resold after a year, an iPhone can fetch a higher price.
On the other hand, buyers with limited budgets may consider purchasing a secondhand flagship Galaxy phone, which not only comes at a lower price but also offers better overall performance.
Smith mentioned that Apple typically provides 5 to 6 years of iOS system updates for iPhones. For example, the iPhone 11 launched in 2019 can be upgraded to iOS 27 released in September this year. Although Samsung has strengthened its update policies, announcing that high-end Galaxy phones can receive 7 years of Android system updates, it has not improved the resale value of the Galaxy S series.
Swappa data shows that four months after the launch of the Galaxy S26 series (256GB version), prices have dropped by over 30%, with resale values ranging between 65.82% and 68%.
The Galaxy S26 starts at $899.99 with a secondhand selling price of $612, retaining about 68% of its value. The Galaxy S26 Plus has a starting price of $1,099.99, with a secondhand selling price of $724, retaining a resale value of 65.82%. The highest-end Galaxy S26 Ultra starts at $1,299.99, with a secondhand selling price of $875, retaining about 67.31% of its value.
In comparison, for the iPhone 17 series, except for the Air model, the depreciation rates are all below 15%. The iPhone Air is relatively unique, with a depreciation rate close to 30%.
The iPhone 17 starts at $799 with a secondhand selling price of $699, maintaining a remarkable resale value of 87.47%. The iPhone Air starts at $999 with a secondhand selling price of $709, holding a resale value of 70.97%. The iPhone 17 Pro starts at $1,099 with a secondhand selling price of $952, retaining a resale value of 86.62%. The top-tier iPhone 17 Pro Max starts at $1,199 with a secondhand selling price of $1,073, maintaining an impressive resale value of up to 89.49%.
For budget-conscious buyers, Smith suggests that instead of purchasing other lower-priced Android phones, considering buying a secondhand flagship Galaxy S26 would be a better option.
He noted that the new Galaxy S25 FE is priced at $649.99, while the average secondhand selling price of a Galaxy S26 is only $612, offering not only a lower price but also better overall performance.
This article referenced a report from the US technology website BGR.