Phones are losing value faster than ever, with some models dropping more than 70% in their first year, according to the latest Annual Phone Depreciation Report by Compare and Recycle. The analysis of trade-in data across Apple, Samsung, and Google reveals striking differences between how flagship and foldable smartphones hold their value.
Google and Samsung show steepest losses
Among mainstream smartphones, Google’s Pixel A-range has suffered the largest value drops within the first 12 and 24 months. The Pixel 8a lost around 70% of its retail price in a single year, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra 1TB fell by 63.4%, equal to roughly €1,180. Even Apple’s iPhone 14 Pro 1TB, the only iPhone in the “worst performers” list, depreciated 59.8%, or about €1,145, showing that high-end Androids fare worse overall. Over two years, Google Pixel models continued their downward slide, with the Pixel 8 Pro (512GB) losing 78.4% of its value. Samsung’s Galaxy S22 Plus 5G (512GB) followed at 73%, confirming that even premium Androids depreciate sharply within 24 months.
Foldables remain the worst investment
Foldable smartphones are the fastest-depreciating category. The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip5 (512GB) lost 75.9% of its retail value in 12 months, while the Pixel Fold 512GB saw a 59.8% drop. On average, foldables depreciated 70% within the first year and 79% after two years. With retail prices exceeding € 2,400, this represents a loss of over € 1,600 in just twelve months. Experts suggest this rapid devaluation is tied to rapid hardware updates and consumer hesitation around durability. Until the technology matures, foldables remain high-risk purchases with poor resale prospects.
Apple iPhones hold their ground
Compare and Recycle’s data highlights Apple’s dominance in long-term value retention. The iPhone 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max led the 12-month performance charts, with an average depreciation of only 33.5%. Even newer iPhones like the 15 series, though depreciating faster initially, still outperform Android equivalents after two years.Average depreciation figures show the iPhone 13 series lost 40%, the iPhone 14 dropped 48%, and the iPhone 15 fell 55%. However, early data from the iPhone 16 series suggests a slower depreciation rate at around 45%.
Why smartphones lose value so quickly
Phones depreciate for several reasons: yearly upgrade cycles, fluctuating second-hand market conditions, and software support lifespans. Once a new flagship launches, trade-in prices for older models drop sharply as the market becomes flooded with resales. Brand power also plays a key role. Apple’s strong ecosystem, consistent software updates, and limited discounting policies maintain higher resale demand, whereas Android devices, particularly those from Google, depreciate faster due to shorter update support and more aggressive price cutting.
Trading in is financially and environmentally smart
Keeping an unused phone in a drawer costs consumers real money. A device worth €350 today could lose half its resale value within a year. Beyond the financial impact, idle devices contribute to e-waste and resource loss, as valuable materials like lithium, gold, and cobalt go unrecovered. Compare and Recycle advises users to sell or trade in their phones soon after upgrading to minimise depreciation losses and support circular reuse.
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