For years, the Apple iPhone has been the undisputed champion of smartphone resale value retention. The idea that an iPhone would hold its value better than any Android device was a well-established truth for consumers and the independent buyback market alike. But according to new expert data, a notable shift is underway. As Apple‘s resale values have begun to slip, Samsung and Google‘s AI-enhanced flagship smartphones are gaining ground, consistently closing the gap year over year.
This new rivalry is shaping up to be one of the most compelling stories in tech today. The data hints that AI is playing a major role in reshaping the secondhand market.
The “phone resale value” ground is now shaking: Apple in danger
The information comes from a comprehensive study by the SellCell team. The numbers reveal that Apple’s long-standing dominance is facing a challenge. According to data, the depreciation of iPhones has been rising steadily with newer models. For example, the iPhone 16 lost 35.4% of its value five months after launch. This represents a notable 10.7% increase in depreciation compared to the iPhone 13 at the same point. This indicates that Apple’s new AI features haven’t reversed the trend—at least for now.
Meanwhile, Samsung’s Galaxy S series has displayed steady improvements in resale value retention. The Galaxy S25’s depreciation improved to 46.6% after five months. This is a 5.3% improvement from the S22. The data suggests Samsung’s success is not a coincidence. Things like the firm’s practical AI tools, like Live Translate and Generative Edit, plus longer update promises, seem to be gaining consumer trust. This approach appears to be helping Samsung devices hold their value better.
It’s also worth noting that Samsung’s foldables are beating expectations. They depreciated 2.4% less than the previous generation at nine months.
Samsung phones’ resale value might collide with iPhone’s in 2026-2028
These shifting trends lead to an interesting market projection. Apparently, the two companies’ resale values are on a collision course. Five-month data suggests a crossover point as early as mid-2026. However, a more conservative projection using nine-month data indicates it might happen closer to early 2028. The current crossover point is likely to fall somewhere in between, but the key takeaway is that the gap is narrowing and Samsung is gaining ground.
Of course, these projections depend on steady market conditions. Unexpected market shifts or a strong product launch from Apple could change everything. For example, the upcoming iPhone 17‘s rumored hardware and storage improvements could help halt the current depreciation trend.
In the end, Apple still maintains a lead in absolute terms. However, the margin is shrinking significantly. For consumers, these shifting dynamics could influence buying decisions in surprising ways. The idea of buying a Samsung device that not only offers top-tier AI features but also holds its value nearly as well as an iPhone is becoming a very real possibility.
The post Apple’s Resale Throne In Danger: Samsung’s Phones Soar In Value appeared first on Android Headlines.
