musicMagpie’s ‘Annual Phone Depreciation Report 2023’: which phones hold their value best?

Apple iPhones reign supreme in value retention

When it comes to retaining value, Apple iPhones continue to lead the pack. According to musicMagpie’s trade-in data, Apple iPhones lose an average of 46% of their value in the first 12 months after launch. By the end of a standard 24-month contract, that figure increases to 64%. This makes Apple iPhones a relatively solid investment for those who plan to trade in their devices regularly.

Samsung, OnePlus, and Google struggle to keep up

Samsung phones, on the other hand, experience steeper declines. Within 12 months of release, Samsung devices lose around 68% of their value, climbing to 77% after two years. OnePlus and Google phones fare even worse, with depreciation rates of 77% and 82% respectively over 24 months. Huawei trails behind, with their phones losing a staggering 88% of their value within the same period.

More expensive premium smartphones retain value longer

Interestingly, higher-priced phones tend to retain their value better than their cheaper counterparts. Apple Phones released at over € 700 generally perform better in the resale market. For instance, the Apple iPhone 12 Pro lost just 32% of its value in the first six months—a stark contrast to the OnePlus 7, which lost 60% in the same period. However, not all premium phones are safe bets. The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold4 lost 73% of its value within just six months, highlighting that not all expensive phones are immune to steep depreciation.

The best and worst performing phones over the years

In terms of annual performance, Apple iPhones once again dominate the list. The iPhone 11 holds the top spot, losing only 38% of its value in the first year. Following closely are the Apple iPhone 8 Plus and iPhone 7, which lost 41% and 43% of their value, respectively. The OnePlus 7T and Samsung Galaxy Note 10 5G+ were the best-performing non-Apple phones, with depreciation rates of 54% and 55% over the first year.

At the other end of the spectrum, Samsung’s Flip and Fold series perform poorly. The Galaxy Z Flip 5G was the worst offender, losing 84% of its value within the first year. Google’s Pixel 3a XL and the original Galaxy Z Flip were also among the worst, losing 81% and 83% of their value, respectively.

Timing your trade-In: the sooner, the better

To maximize the value of a device, timing is everything. The launch of new models—particularly Apple iPhones—often triggers a sharp decline in the value of older models. For instance, the Apple iPhone XS saw a 19% drop in value within a month of the Apple iPhone 11’s release, with a total loss of 30% after three months. In general trading in a phone as soon as possible after release, pays out in terms of getting more money. But this is not typical customer’s behavior.