Apple iPhones hold their value by 53 per cent after four years according to refurbished device vendor 4gadgets which analysed prices between 2018 and 2022.
Samsung models depreciated by almost 70 per cent with the Galaxy S9
dropping by 80 per cent against its launch price with the 2018 iPhone XS, dropping 80.2 per cent against its launch price.
The greatest difference in loss of second-hand value between Apple and Samsung brands occurred with 2021’s models. The iPhone 13 has fallen in value by 38 per cent while the Samsung Galaxy S21 5G is down by nearly 70 per cent.
4gadgets’ analysis concluded the second year after release is the optimum time to sell or trade a device.
The analysis also calculated how much mobile phone prices have risen relative to average UK salaries, how much they’d cost if they launched in 2023, the current resale price, and how much mobile phone prices have risen relative to average UK salaries.
“The longer you keep hold of your mobile phone, the more value it loses over time. Despite being relatively new, 2022’s iPhone 14 and Samsung’s Galaxy S22+ models have already lost nearly 25 per cent and 40 per cent respectively of their value against the original launch day price” said 4gadgets.