Ever noticed how your friend’s two-year-old iPhone still fetches a reasonable price, while your Android from the same year barely gets a second look? That’s not a random thing; it’s the smartphone depreciation curve at play, and understanding it can make buying and selling phones a lot more efficient. This article will cover that topic. So let’s get started.
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What Exactly Is A Depreciation Curve?
Simply put, it’s how fast your phone loses value after you buy it. Most phones take their biggest hit in year one, before a newer model launches, then the drop slows down. Every brand’s curve looks different, mostly shaped by software support, build quality, and how badly people want a used unit.
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Why Brands Depreciate Differently
There are a few real factors that decide the steepness of a brand’s smartphone depreciation curve. Now let’s know them quickly.
- Update policy: Longer software support means the phone feels less outdated and the demand maintain it’s place.
- Resale demand: More buyers chasing a model generally means a gentler drop.
- Launch frequency: Frequent new releases make older models outdated quickly due to new features and capabilities.
- Build quality: Fewer repairs mean more trust, which naturally translates to greater resale value.
- Brand image: Some names just carry weight in the resale industry, so top-tier brand devices see an extra boost while selling.
Also Read: PS4 Pro Vs PS4 Slim Resale Value Comparison
Depreciation Curves Of All Brands
Now, let’s go through all the depreciation curve trends of all smartphone brands.
Apple iPhone
iPhones keep their value well. A typical iPhone loses 20-25% of its price in the first year. After two years, it still holds 50-65% of its original value. This depends on the model and condition of the phone.
There are a few reasons for this. Apple supports its iPhones with software updates for 5 to 7 years, which is much longer than most Android brands. This longer support cycle plays a big role in the smartphone depreciation curve, helping iPhones retain their value for a longer period. People also prefer buying used iPhones because of the strong Apple brand and the trust associated with it. On top of that, there is always a healthy demand in the resale market.
Also Read: Do Scratches Reduce Your Phone’s Resale Price?
Samsung Galaxy
Samsung phones lose value fast. In a year, a Galaxy S, a Fold or a Flip phone can lose around 45 to 55 percent of its value. This is a lot more than what happens to an iPhone in a day.
Things are getting a little better for Samsung. The company is now saying that it will give updates for its phones for up to seven years. This is helping Samsung catch up to Apple. If you look at Samsung’s phones, the S and Fold and Flip series keep their value better than the A series. The A series loses value the fastest of all Samsung phones. Samsung is really trying to make its phones last longer, like the Galaxy S, the Fold and the Flip series.
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Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco, And Realme
Budget and mid-range Android brands like Xiaomi, Redmi, Poco, and Realme sit at the bottom of the curve. These brands often launch several new models a year, so a phone can feel “old” within months of buying it. Software support is usually limited to 2-3 years, which shortens the phone’s useful life even further.
It’s common for phones in this category to lose 50-65% of their value in the very first year. The upside is that the curve flattens out quickly after that, simply because there isn’t much value left on the table to lose. If you own a phone from this segment, timing your sale early matters more than with any other brand.
Also Read: Do Local Shops Offer Better Phone Resale Prices?
Approximate Depreciation By Brand
Here are the general smartphone depreciation curve percentages you can go through to understand it better.
| Brand Category | Typical Year 1 Value Lost | Typical Value Retained After 2 Years |
|---|---|---|
| Apple iPhone | 20-25% | 50-65% |
| Samsung Galaxy (S/Fold/Flip) | 45-55% | 30-45% |
| OnePlus / Google Pixel | 40-50% | 25-40% |
| Xiaomi / Redmi / Poco / Realme | 50-65% | 15-30% |
These are general market patterns, not guaranteed figures. Your phone’s actual resale value depends heavily on its condition, storage variant, and the platform you sell it on.
Also Read: How Fast Do You Get Paid After Selling a Phone?
Where Can You Sell Your Phone?
Other than the smartphone depreciation curve, choosing a trustworthy platform is essential, so here’s Cashify for you. It’s currently India’s most trusted resale platform with lakhs of happy customers.
Cashify is a leading marketplace for buying and selling used mobiles, laptops, and other associated accessories. It offers some distinct features with less phone resale payment time, setting it apart as the best choice; here they are:
- Doorstep pickup of the device
- Free pickup policy
- Proper documentation of bills
- Advanced AI price evaluation
How To Sell On Cashify
So, after this detailed talk on the smartphone depreciation curve, if you want to sell your phone, here are the steps you can follow.
- Visit the Official Cashify website, or you can go to the Cashify app.
- Go to the Sell Old Phone section.
- Next, choose the brand of your device.
- Then search for your device series and model.
- Share information about RAM and storage.
- Describe the current condition of the phone by answering some easy questions.
- Select your preferred payment method and pick a date.
- A Cashify representative will collect the phone on the selected date.
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