Imagine buying a flagship phone, only to realize later that you can’t sell it for close to the amount you purchased. Or worse, you can’t trade it in with a bit better phone. This is a common problem brought about by fast loss of value. However, it varies among brands. Other factors that come into play are the phone model or your resale timing.
For this reason, it’s wise to know which phones will lose value fast in 2025, whether you’re a budget-conscious buyer. The same applies to if you’re a techy who trades up when new models are released. This report compares the iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24. Also in the comparison is the Google Pixel 9. Read it to learn which brand loses the most and why. You will also find out what to do about it.
Understanding Phone Depreciation and Why it Matters
Like other assets, mobile phones, especially the flagship ones, decline in value from the moment you buy them from the retailer. The loss in value is attributed to obsolescence or the passage of time.
Since smartphones are among the frequently upgraded tech devices, few consider how much they lose their value. So, why should you think this? A device that holds its value will fetch higher returns when you want to upgrade. And, if you’re among those who buy their phones outright, the depreciation can represent a hidden cost, almost equivalent to monthly payments.
Each top brand mentioned above has different measures to influence how their devices hold up in the second-hand market. However, they differ in various aspects. It’d be best to understand the factors affecting the value loss as a buyer who intends to use or resale the products later or trade them in.
Factors that influence how fast phones lose value
These specific elements cause smartphones to lose market price over time. The top ones are as follows:
- Brand reputation:Arguably the top factor in this phenomenon, reputation is a crucial determinant. Tech research has shown that phones from the top brands, like the ones mentioned, retain their value much better thanks to a strong reputation. This is because such brands generate higher demand in the resale market. Second-hand buyers trust them for quality and long-term reliability. It goes without saying that reputation outweighs technical factors like reparability.
- Update Commitment: Software support and update lifespan refers to the producer’s commitment to provide ongoing system updates like security patches. It includes the duration that such devices will receive updates, measured in years from when the phones are released.
It determines resale value because regular updates and extended support ensure compatibility with modern apps and services. Buying one with a shorter lifespan means it will be rendered useless quickly. Going for a longer lifespan would be best for resale or trade-in purposes.
- Tech obsolescence: Imagine buying a flagship phone that can’t use the latest tech upgrade, such as 5G connectivity. This will make it outdated as soon as there is an advancement. And because such comes from hardware limitation or compatibility issues, you will have no option but to sell it at a very low price. This is because many consumers want to upgrade to the latest tech or more advanced than what they have, which means that market demand for a phone with limited capabilities will be limited.
- Carrier promotions: These special offers fronted by mobile network providers also come into play as they reduce the phone’s upfront cost. This is because they are offered through discounts or trade-in offers. The promotions lower themarket price; many get them at a bargain. In the long run, they lose value fast thanks to lower perceived market prices.
- Release cycle timing: How often the manufacturer releases new phones also influences how fast the ones already are in the market. In most cases, the price always plunges when a new release is announced. Furthermore, the latest release floods the market with trade-ins, increasing supply and lowering the older models’ prices. Delays in buying the older models accelerate the depreciation further.
The Flagship Phones Depreciation Comparison
Although the mentioned flagship phones are designed to offer cool features and design, they aren’t immune to depreciation. It’s only that the rates differ, as mentioned earlier. As a buyer, overlooking the speed of value loss can be your worst undoing unless you plan to keep the device for a long time. It’d be best to understand the differences if you plan to upgrade or resell. The table below can help you in doing so.
Comparative Depreciation Chart: iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S24 vs Pixel 9
According to data from SellMyPhone.co.uk, the iPhone 15 retains 72% of its RRP after 12 months—9 points better than its Samsung rival.The depreciation comes out as follows:
| Phone Model | RRP(£) | Value After 6 Months (£) | Value After 12 Months (£) | % Retained After 12 Months |
| iPhone 15 | 1,249 | 900 | 899 | 72% |
| Galaxy S24 | 1,199 | 770 | 755 | 63% |
| Google Pixel 9 | 799 | 560 | 480 | 60% |
iPhone 15: Leading the pack in value retention
This can be attributed to Apple’s strong brand reputation, which creates consistent demand in both markets. This is a device trusted for its build quality and user experience. It also has long-term reliability since the company extended software support. Additionally, iPhones are less frequently discontinued compared to the other brands. This helps it maintain its perceived value.
Galaxy S24: Steady performer with a mid-year drop
Thanks to its premium software, this device retains most of its value. However, it experiences notable value loss around mid-year of use. This comes from the company’s frequent promotions and trade-in deals that lower market value. The company’s faster release cycle is also blamed for the drop. This shifts the customers’ attention and raises the volume of trade. All in all, the Galaxy S24 is still a worthy device.
Pixel 9: Budget-friendly, but value drops fastest.
At that price, this budget-friendly device offers awesome features. This makes it attractive if you’re in for a phone while on a budget. However, it experiences the fastest depreciation among the three. This is mainly due to weaker brand recognition. Its demand for the resale market is also low, which reduces its second-hand value.
Additionally, the company offers after-launch discounts and promotions, which kills its perceived value. Therefore, you should be ready for lower returns unless you plan to offload it fast.
A point to note: Timeline is everything when reselling your flagship phone. It’d be best to do the following:
- Don’t wait for the next model. This is because the resale values drop immediately after a new version is out.
- Avoid high-competition seasons such as Black Friday due to market saturation.
- Avoid selling after a price cut due to a price drop.
Buying a flagship phone is undeniably a considerable investment. However, some of the devices lose value fast. This makes trading in or reselling a loss. Use the information you have read here to make an informed decision in your selection.
