When buying a flagship smartphone, consumers expect it to last for several years and offer decent buyback value at the end of its life. Especially since tech companies add a bigger price tag each year’s flagship release. However, the buyback value depends a lot on the brand and model of the device you own.
According to a recent report from a site that tracks trade-in prices for smartphones, a used iPhone is worth much more than a used Android phone. Comparisons mentioned in this report are calculated as a percentage of the purchase price.
Android flagships lose twice as much buyback value as iPhones in first year – Report
According to a report from BankMyCell, Android flagships 2x as much value (-33.62%) in the first year compared to an iPhone (-16.70%). After two years, an Android phone’s price drops by 61.50% as compared to 35.70% of an iPhone.
“The data below quotes the trade-in depreciation from the initial buyback price for a used iOS or Android device priced at $700 or over, then tracks its decline yearly.
In one year, the current average depreciation of a new iPhone’s trade-in value is -16.70%, compared with Android’s -33.62%.
In two years, the current average depreciation of a new iPhone’s trade-in value is -35.47% compared with Android’s -61.50%.
After four years, the gap begins to close, with iPhones losing an average of -66.43% of their initial buyback value, compared with Androids -81.11%.”
BankMyCell also examines the value depreciation of the two most popular flagship phones of 2019: the Galaxy S20 vs the iPhone 11. Here’s how their value dropped nine months after their release:
“iPhone 11 lost -12.84% of its trade-in value in the whole of 2020, compared with the Galaxy S20 losing -34.73% in only nine months.
iPhone 11 Pro lost -21.31% of its trade-in value throughout 2020, compared with the Galaxy S20+ losing -30.59% in only nine months.
iPhone 11 Pro Max lost -15.96% of its trade-in value in the whole of 2020, compared with the Galaxy S20 Ultra losing -36.30% in only nine months.”
The report also mentions other tech companies. It notes that phones from Google’s Pixel series lose -38.46% value in a year. Sony, Motorola, and HTC’s phones lose 39.51%, 42.57%, and 53.08% worth in a 12-month period respectively.
There are many factors that can play a role in the buyback value of a smartphone such as the frequency of software updates, the performance of hardware, etc. Apple’s iPhones are extremely popular because of the fact they can last up to at least 6 years which the support offered by the tech giant.
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