iPhone vs Samsung: Which Has Better Resale Value?

When buying a premium smartphone, resale value matters. iPhone and Samsung Galaxy dominate the high-end market, but they perform very differently when it's time to sell. Based on thousands of real transactions, here's which brand offers better resale value and how much the difference could save you.

iPhone vs Samsung: Resale Value Comparison

Both brands make excellent phones, but one holds its value significantly better when it's time to sell. Here's what the data shows.

The Verdict First

Winner: iPhone

iPhones retain 15-20% more value than comparable Samsung devices across all time periods. However, the story is more nuanced than a simple win/loss – different users may find better value in different brands depending on their usage patterns and upgrade cycles.

Direct Comparison: Flagship Models After 12 Months

November 2025 Data

Looking at devices launched in late 2024, here's what they're worth now (Grade A condition, mid-storage tier):

iPhone 16 Pro (256GB) - £999 Launch Price

• Current buyback value: £660
• Value retention: 66%
• Depreciation: £339 (34%)

Samsung S24 Ultra (256GB) - £1,249 Launch Price

• Current buyback value: £640
• Value retention: 51%
• Depreciation: £609 (49%)

Key Insight: While the S24 Ultra has a similar absolute buyback value (£640 vs £660), it lost £609 compared to iPhone's £339 loss. The Samsung started £250 more expensive but is worth less after one year.

Two-Year Comparison

Devices Launched September 2023

iPhone 15 Pro (256GB) - £999 Launch Price

• Current value: £495
• Retention: 50%
• Total loss: £504

Samsung S23 Ultra (256GB) - £1,249 Launch Price

• Current value: £425
• Retention: 34%
• Total loss: £824

Analysis: Over two years, the Samsung loses £320 more than the iPhone despite both being flagship devices. This is a crucial consideration for 24-month contract upgraders.

Standard vs. Ultra/Pro: Model-by-Model Breakdown

Base Models (After 12 Months)

iPhone 16 (128GB) - £799

• Current value: £495
• Retention: 62%

Samsung S24 (128GB) - £799

• Current value: £395
• Retention: 49%

Even at identical launch prices, iPhone holds 13% more value.

Plus Models

iPhone 16 Plus (256GB) - £899

• Current value: £560
• Retention: 62%

Samsung S24+ (256GB) - £999

• Current value: £490
• Retention: 49%

Why Does iPhone Hold Value Better?

1. Software Support Duration

iPhone: 7+ years of iOS updates (iPhone 8 from 2017 still runs iOS 16)

Samsung: 7 years of updates for S24+ (improving from previous 4-5 years)

Impact: Longer support = longer usable life = higher resale value. iPhones have proven track record.

2. Brand Perception and Ecosystem Lock-in

• Apple ecosystem: Users invested in iCloud, iMessage, AirPods create strong demand
• Brand prestige: Apple maintains premium image more consistently
• Status symbol: iPhones carry more "aspirational" value in secondary market

3. Consistent Design Language

• iPhone: Similar design across years makes age less obvious
• Samsung: More design changes between generations date devices faster

4. Market Supply and Demand

• iPhone: ~50% market share in premium UK segment = massive buyer pool
• Samsung: ~30% market share = smaller secondary market

5. Repair and Part Availability

• iPhone: Standardized repairs, widely available parts
• Samsung: More model variations complicate repair ecosystem

The Samsung Advantage: Absolute Value Argument

While iPhone wins on percentage retention, Samsung has counterarguments:

1. Higher Starting Specs

S24 Ultra includes features iPhone Pro lacks:

• S Pen stylus (£100+ value)
• 200MP camera vs. 48MP
• 10x optical zoom vs. 5x
• Higher base RAM (12GB vs. 8GB)

2. Trade-In Promotions

Samsung frequently offers aggressive trade-in deals:

• £500-700 trade-in bonuses during launches
• Effectively reduces depreciation for strategic sellers
• Apple trade-ins typically less generous

3. New Device Pricing

If buying new:

• S24 can be found £100-200 below launch price within 6 months
• iPhone prices rarely drop before new model
• Effective cost of ownership may be closer than resale values suggest

Storage Tier Impact: Brand Comparison

How do different storage tiers depreciate for each brand?

iPhone 16 Pro (After 12 Months)

• 128GB: 64% retention
• 256GB: 66% retention
• 512GB: 68% retention
• 1TB: 70% retention

Samsung S24 Ultra (After 12 Months)

• 256GB: 51% retention
• 512GB: 53% retention
• 1TB: 55% retention

Pattern: Both brands show better retention at higher storage, but iPhone maintains 13-15% advantage across all tiers.

Condition Impact: Brand Comparison

Do iPhones or Samsungs handle wear better in resale value?

iPhone 15 Pro (256GB) - November 2025

• Grade A: £495 (100%)
• Grade B: £395 (80%)
• Grade C: £295 (60%)
• Grade D: £195 (39%)

Samsung S23 Ultra (256GB) - November 2025

• Grade A: £425 (100%)
• Grade B: £325 (76%)
• Grade C: £240 (56%)
• Grade D: £160 (38%)

Insight: Both brands depreciate similarly by condition (3-4% more per grade drop), but iPhone's higher baseline means better absolute values at all condition levels.

Real-World Scenarios: Which Brand Wins?

Scenario 1: Annual Upgrader

Profile: Buys new flagship every year, sells old one

iPhone Path (3-Year Cost)

• Year 1: Buy iPhone 15 Pro £999, sell £660 = -£339
• Year 2: Buy iPhone 16 Pro £999, sell £660 = -£339
• Year 3: Buy iPhone 17 Pro £1049, sell £690 = -£359
• Total 3-year cost: £1,037

Samsung Path (3-Year Cost)

• Year 1: Buy S23 Ultra £1,249, sell £640 = -£609
• Year 2: Buy S24 Ultra £1,249, sell £640 = -£609
• Year 3: Buy S25 Ultra £1,299, sell £665 = -£634
• Total 3-year cost: £1,852

Winner: iPhone (£815 cheaper over 3 years)

Scenario 2: Two-Year Contract Upgrader

Profile: Typical UK contract user, upgrades every 24 months

iPhone Path

• Buy iPhone 15 Pro £999
• Sell after 24 months: £495
• Net cost: £504
• Cost per month: £21

Samsung Path

• Buy S23 Ultra £1,249
• Sell after 24 months: £425
• Net cost: £824
• Cost per month: £34.33

Winner: iPhone (£320 cheaper, 38% lower cost)

Scenario 3: Long-Term Holder

Profile: Keeps phone 4+ years until it stops working

iPhone Path

• Buy iPhone 12 Pro (2020): £999
• Use 4+ years
• Sell in 2025: £220
• Net cost: £779

Samsung Path

• Buy S20 Ultra (2020): £1,199
• Use 4+ years
• Sell in 2025: £145
• Net cost: £1,054

Winner: iPhone (£275 cheaper, even after 4+ years)

Scenario 4: Buyer of Refurbished Devices

Profile: Buys 1-2 year old refurbished, uses 2 years

iPhone Path

• Buy refurb iPhone 14 Pro (1 year old): £550
• Use 2 years
• Sell (3 years old): £285
• Net cost: £265

Samsung Path

• Buy refurb S22 Ultra (1 year old): £450
• Use 2 years
• Sell (3 years old): £165
• Net cost: £285

Winner: iPhone (£20 cheaper, 7% lower cost)

The Tipping Point: When Samsung Makes Sense

1. Heavy Trade-In Promotion User

If you time Samsung trade-in deals (£500-700 bonuses), effective depreciation can match or beat iPhone.

2. Feature-Specific Needs

If you need S Pen, 10x zoom, or expandable storage, Samsung's extra features may justify lower resale value.

3. Android Ecosystem Investment

If you're deeply invested in Google/Android services, switching to iPhone has hidden costs.

4. Very Long Holders (5+ Years)

After 5+ years, both depreciate to near-zero, making initial price difference more important than resale value.

Recommendations by User Type

For Maximum Resale Value: Choose iPhone

Especially if you:

• Upgrade annually or every 2 years
• Want lowest total cost of ownership
• Prefer premium brand perception
• Value long software support

Consider Samsung If You:

• Need specific features (S Pen, high zoom, etc.)
• Can time Samsung trade-in promotions
• Are deeply invested in Android ecosystem
• Plan to keep phone 4+ years (resale less relevant)

Conclusion: The Numbers Don't Lie

From a pure resale value perspective, iPhone is the clear winner:

• After 1 year: iPhone retains 15% more value
• After 2 years: iPhone retains 16% more value
• After 3 years: iPhone retains 12% more value
• Total cost of ownership: iPhone averages 30-40% lower for frequent upgraders

However, Samsung remains a viable choice for users who:

• Value specific features over resale value
• Can leverage Samsung's aggressive promotions
• Keep devices long enough that resale becomes irrelevant

At Cash My Tech, we process thousands of both iPhones and Samsung devices monthly. The data is consistent: if resale value is a priority, iPhone offers better value retention across all models, storage tiers, and time periods. But "better resale value" doesn't automatically mean "better choice" – your specific needs, budget, and usage patterns should guide your decision.

Bottom Line: iPhone is the financially smarter choice for users who upgrade regularly (annually or every 2 years). For long-term holders (4+ years), the resale value advantage diminishes, making features and initial price more important considerations.