iPhone Resale Values Are Shifting in 2026 — Timing Your Sale Matters More Than Ever
iPhones continue to retain more resale value than competing brands in 2026, but industry data shows Samsung's Galaxy line closing the depreciation gap. That shift is changing when experts recommend selling.
Smartphone depreciation trackers show iPhones continuing to hold their resale value better than any other major brand heading into the second half of 2026, with two-year retention historically in the 60-70% range. But the gap with Samsung's Galaxy line has been narrowing.
Industry data tracking the iPhone 16 and Galaxy S25 found the iPhone had depreciated about 35% five months after launch, compared to roughly 47% for the Galaxy S25 — still a meaningful gap, but smaller than in prior years. Analysts attribute Samsung's improvement partly to longer software support commitments, which have made used Galaxy phones a more credible alternative to a used iPhone.
For anyone planning to sell a phone this year, the practical takeaway hasn't changed even as the brand gap narrows: the steepest single drop in resale value tends to happen in the weeks immediately following a new model's launch announcement, before the phone even ships. Selling four to six weeks ahead of that announcement window consistently captures more value than waiting.
Our electronics depreciation guide breaks down typical monthly value loss by device category, and the Fast Cash Score tool compares instant kiosk, buyback, and marketplace channels for your specific device.