In the world of ever-evolving smartphones, value retention is a key concern for many buyers. After all, who wants to invest in a pricey device that plummets in resale value soon after purchase? To shed light on this topic, SellCell in a recent report analyzed depreciation data for several leading brands’ latest flagships, offering valuable insights for budget-conscious tech enthusiasts.

iPhone 15 Shines Bright: The crown jewel of value retention belongs to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, losing a mere 18.2% of its value in three months. This impressive performance extends across the entire iPhone 15 range, depreciating 5% less than its iPhone 14 counterparts on average. Notably, the iPhone 15 Plus leads the pack, retaining 11% more value than its iPhone 14 predecessor.

Samsung Scores in Android Arena: While Apple dominates overall, Samsung emerges as the Android champion. The Galaxy S23 Plus takes the spotlight, retaining a respectable 35.3% of its value after three months and even regaining some lost ground. Notably, the entire S23 lineup outperforms the S22 series in terms of depreciation, showcasing Samsung’s strides in improving value retention.

Caveat for S23 FE: Although the non-FE S23 models impress, the S23 FE series fares poorly, witnessing a staggering 68.7% value drop in three months. This highlights the importance of differentiating within product lines, as budget-oriented options don’t always translate to better resale value.

Pixel and OnePlus Struggle: Unfortunately, Google’s Pixel 8 series and OnePlus’s 11 Pro series didn’t fare as well. The Pixel 8 range lost a hefty 61.2% of its value within three months, while the OnePlus 11 Pro series managed a somewhat better 48.5% depreciation. While OnePlus shows relative improvement compared to Pixel, both brands lag behind Apple and Samsung in value retention.

Key Takeaways:

• iPhone 15 reigns supreme for overall value retention, boasting impressive depreciation figures across the range.
• Samsung S23 shines in the Android space, offering respectable value retention compared to previous generations and other Android flagships.
• S23 FE serves as a cautionary tale, highlighting the importance of considering specific models within product lines.
• Pixel and OnePlus trail behind, suggesting a need for improvement in value retention strategies.

As the tech landscape continues to evolve, smartphone depreciation remains a dynamic metric. While Apple currently stands tall, the upcoming Samsung S24 series may pose a challenge to its dominance. Ultimately, for those seeking a phone that holds its value, the iPhone 15 remains the king, while Samsung leads the Android pack with the S23 range.