Apple iPhone depreciation: a deep dive into record-breaking value drop

Apple iPhone depreciation rates over time

From the moment an Apple iPhone is unboxed, it begins to lose value. Studies show that, on average, an Apple iPhone can lose up to 25% of its retail value immediately after purchase. Over the first year, this depreciation skyrockets to 62%, with recent models seeing even steeper declines. For example, the Apple iPhone 15 lineup has broken previous records, losing an average of 55.57% in value during its first 12 months.

To put his into perspective, if you paid € 1,149 for a base model Apple iPhone 15, you could expect its value to drop by € 639 within the first year, leaving you with a device worth around € 510. This depreciation is even worse for higher storage models and non-Pro versions.

Recent models: a sharp increase in depreciation

Apple iPhone 13: in its first year, the Apple iPhone 13 lost about 40.09% of its value. For instance, an Apple iPhone 13 that retailed for € 1,159 would have been worth around € 695 one year later, a depreciation of about €464.

Apple iPhone 14: the Apple iPhone 14 lineup saw an even steeper depreciation, losing 47.80% of its value in the first year. A 256GB Apple iPhone 14 that originally sold for € 1,329 would have depreciated by € 635 within a year.

Apple iPhone 15: breaking all previous records, the Apple iPhone 15 series depreciated by an average of 55.57% in its first year. The Apple iPhone 15 Plus 512GB model, for example, experienced the steepest loss, plummeting by 62%, translating to a loss of € 749 from its original price of € 1,209, leaving its value at just € 460 within 12 months.

Apple iPhone Pro models retain value better

One emerging trend is that Apple iPhone Pro models depreciate more slowly than their non-Pro counterparts. For instance, the Apple iPhone 15 Pro 128GB saw a depreciation of 50.23%, which is significantly lower than the average for the standard Apple iPhone 15 models. In terms of real money, if you purchased an Apple iPhone 15 Pro for €1,349, it would still be worth around €670 after a year, losing €679. Meanwhile, the non-Pro models, especially the Plus variants, tend to lose value at a much faster rate.

The second-year plateau

Interestingly, after the steep depreciation in the first year, Apple iPhones tend to reach a plateau in their second year of ownership, with much slower depreciation rates during this period. For instance, after the first 12 months, an Apple iPhone may lose only an additional 5-10% of its value over the next year. This trend suggests that holding onto your Apple iPhone for longer can provide better value retention, especially if you’re planning to trade it in after the second year.

Conclusion

Given the current depreciation trends, consumers should think twice before purchasing the latest Apple iPhone model. While Apple iPhones continue to offer cutting-edge features, the rapid depreciation in their value suggests that holding onto older models or opting for refurbished devices might be a smarter financial decision. However, depreciation of Android devices is even steeper. Research suggest that Google Pixel 8 lost almost 70% of its value in the first 12-month after release. In general an Apple iPhone retains its value much better.