If you buy and sell refurbished smartphones at any volume, you already know the answer intuitively: iPhones hold their value better. But intuition is not a pricing model. The actual depreciation curves, grade-adjusted margins, and regional demand patterns tell a more nuanced story than the conventional wisdom suggests.
We analyzed secondary-market transaction data across Grade A, B, and C devices for Apple and Samsung flagships over the past 36 months. The results confirm the Apple premium—but also reveal where Samsung offers better margin opportunities for refurbishers who know where to look.
Every smartphone loses value from the moment it leaves the box. The question for refurbishers and secondary-market distributors is how fast, and when the curve flattens into a stable trading range.
| Device | MSRP | 12-Month Value | 24-Month Value | 36-Month Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,199 | $780 (65%) | $510 (43%) | $360 (30%) |
| iPhone 15 Pro (128GB) | $999 | $620 (62%) | $400 (40%) | $275 (28%) |
| Samsung S24 Ultra (256GB) | $1,299 | $680 (52%) | $380 (29%) | $230 (18%) |
| Samsung S24+ (256GB) | $999 | $490 (49%) | $270 (27%) | $165 (17%) |
| iPhone 14 Pro Max (256GB) | $1,099 | $680 (62%) | $440 (40%) | $310 (28%) |
| Samsung S23 Ultra (256GB) | $1,199 | $600 (50%) | $320 (27%) | $195 (16%) |
The pattern is consistent across every generation: iPhones retain roughly 40% of MSRP at 24 months; Samsung flagships retain roughly 27%. By 36 months, the gap narrows slightly—but Apple still commands a 10–12 percentage point premium.
The Apple resale premium is not accidental. It is structural, driven by factors that Samsung cannot easily replicate:
Apple supports iPhones with iOS updates for 6–7 years from launch. A buyer purchasing a refurbished iPhone 13 in 2026 can expect software updates through 2028 or beyond. Samsung has improved dramatically—now committing to 7 years of OS updates for flagship Galaxy devices—but that commitment only started with the S24 series. Older Samsung flagships (S21, S22) are still perceived as having shorter remaining software life, which suppresses resale values.
Apple releases four iPhone models per year. Samsung releases dozens of Galaxy variants across the A, S, and Z lines, plus regional variants with different chipsets (Snapdragon vs. Exynos). For refurbishers, this means Samsung inventory is fragmented. A pallet of 500 mixed Galaxy devices might contain 30 distinct SKUs. A pallet of 500 iPhones might contain 8. Simplicity compresses grading time, reduces errors, and increases buyer confidence.
iMessage, AirDrop, Apple Watch compatibility, and the broader Apple ecosystem create switching costs that keep users buying iPhones—including refurbished ones. A buyer replacing a broken iPhone 14 with a refurbished iPhone 13 stays inside the ecosystem. There is no equivalent gravitational pull on the Android side.
In key export markets—Latin America, the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa—Apple carries aspirational brand value that translates directly into willingness to pay more for refurbished units. A Grade B iPhone in Dubai or São Paulo commands a premium that a Grade A Samsung often cannot match.
The Apple premium does not automatically mean Apple is the better margin play. In several scenarios, Samsung flagships offer superior economics for refurbishers and distributors:
Because Samsung devices depreciate faster, they can be acquired at lower cost relative to their remaining useful life. A Samsung S23 Ultra purchased at 24 months for $320 still has 5 years of software support remaining and hardware that competes with current midrange phones. The acquisition-to-resale spread can be wider than Apple in percentage terms, even if the absolute dollar values are lower.
Samsung screens, batteries, and charging ports are cheaper and more readily available than Apple equivalents. The cost to refurbish a Grade C Samsung device to Grade B is typically 30–40% lower than the equivalent Apple repair. For operations that do component-level refurbishment, this math matters.
While Apple dominates the premium refurbished segment in export markets, Samsung owns the volume segment. In markets like Nigeria, Pakistan, and Indonesia, a refurbished Galaxy A54 at $120 moves faster than a refurbished iPhone 12 at $250. Volume businesses selling into these markets often generate more total margin from Samsung than Apple.
Apple wins on value retention. Samsung wins on acquisition spread and volume. Your margin model determines which is the better buy.
The Apple premium is not uniform across cosmetic grades. It is most pronounced at the top end and compresses as condition deteriorates:
| Grade | iPhone 15 Pro (24-mo) | Galaxy S24 Ultra (24-mo) | Apple Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade A (Like New) | $430 | $400 | +7.5% |
| Grade B (Light Wear) | $385 | $345 | +11.6% |
| Grade C (Visible Wear) | $310 | $260 | +19.2% |
The Apple premium widens at lower grades because buyers trust Apple hardware longevity even in cosmetically imperfect condition. A scratched iPhone is still perceived as reliable. A scratched Samsung is perceived as closer to end-of-life. This perception gap is an opportunity for Samsung-focused refurbishers who can restore Grade C devices to Grade B cosmetic condition cost-effectively.
One of the most overlooked variables in refurbished smartphone pricing is storage capacity. The premium for higher storage tiers is disproportionately large on the secondary market—especially for iPhones, where storage is not expandable:
For acquisition teams: always pay up for higher storage tiers when buying Apple. The resale premium more than offsets the higher acquisition cost. For Samsung, the storage premium is less reliable and depends on the specific market.
If you are building a refurbished inventory portfolio, the optimal mix depends on your channel:
The refurbished smartphone market will reach $140 billion globally by 2028. Whether you are trading iPhones, Galaxies, or both, the margin is in the data—not the brand loyalty.
We trade Apple and Samsung devices across every grade and market worldwide.
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