iPhones and Android phones now have a lot in common, especially since iOS 18 embraced customization in a big way. But one big area where they still differ is in resale value – with Apple’s phones remaining better long-term investments than their Android equivalents, according to a new report.
A new survey from CIRP (Consumer Intelligence Research Partners) asked new phone buyers what they did with their previous phones. The striking figure was that 41% of iPhone owners monetize their old device by selling or trading it in, while only 17% of Android phone owners do the same.
This statistic is likely influenced, as CIRP notes, by the fact that iPhone owners have typically invested more on average in their higher-end phones, and are thus more likely to resell them. But individual data revealed that old iPhones also tend to be older than old Android phones. And other reports support the conclusion that iPhones tend to hold their value better than their rivals.
For example, 2024 data from the resale aggregator SalesCell recently revealed that the iPhone 15 series had depreciated much more slowly than competing 2023 flagships from the likes of Google, Samsung and OnePlus. In a notable example, the iPhone 15 saw an average price drop of 27.4% during its first three months, compared to a 43.5% drop for the Samsung Galaxy S23 series in its first few months.
Of course, not all iPhones are immune to price drops. A special one SalesCell A March report showed that the iPhone SE had a much higher price drop than other iPhone models. For example, the iPhone SE 3 series apparently lost about 65% of its value in the first 18 months after launch. Alarmingly for SE fans, it actually lost 42.6% of its value in the first month after launch.
The downside to this is that the SE range – and many Android phones – can offer great second-hand value if you’re willing to wait a while. But if you like to buy your phones new and prefer to get the latest models, it looks like the iPhone is still the strongest long-term investment – and will give you more options when it’s time to upgrade.
Why do iPhones retain their value?
There are a few different likely explanations for the resilience of used iPhone prices compared to Android. One is that, aside from the SE series, iPhones tend to be more expensive devices compared to the entire Android ecosystem – and that luxury reputation is reflected in their resale prices.
A related factor is the large number of Android models compared to the iPhone. The sheer variety of Android models may diminish their appeal compared to Apple’s tightly controlled lineup, which currently consists of just five models. Discounts on iPhones are also relatively rare, even during Black Friday, which again could help slow the price drop.
But other resale realities also play a role. Resale websites often buy used phones in bulk, and the availability of replacement parts such as screens or batteries – and the knowledge of how to repair them – is simply greater for iPhones, once again increasing their appeal and prices on the second-hand market. That’s especially the case for the iPhone Pro series.
Still, trade-in values aren’t everything – and if you, like more and more phone buyers, hold on to your phone for a number of years, then they’re only a minor factor in the phone you buy. And with refurbished phones more popular than ever, the sheer availability of phone deals (whether you use iOS or Android) has never been better.