Apple vs Samsung vs OnePlus: Resale Value Compared After 1, 2, and 3 Years
Most people look at the camera, processor, battery life, or display when buying a new smartphone. But resale value is another key factor that many forget. Choosing a phone that holds its value can lower your total cost when you upgrade.
Apple, Samsung, or OnePlus? This is a question that many Android and iPhone fans ask. The answer depends on factors such as new software, demand, the phone's condition, and the brand's reputation.
Here’s a comparison of Apple, Samsung, and OnePlus resale values after 1, 2, and 3 years. The data comes from studies by platforms like SellCell, which checks prices from over 40 buyback vendors.
Quick summary: Apple leads with roughly 65 to 75 percent value retention after 1 year and 40 to 55 percent after 3 years. Samsung flagships retain about 45 to 55 percent after 1 year, while OnePlus trails both at around 40 to 50 percent. Flagships from every brand hold value far better than budget models.
Why Resale Value Matters
A smartphone is more than just an expense—it’s also an investment. If you upgrade every few years, picking a phone with better resale value can save you a lot of money.
Phones with higher resale value cost you less in the long run, get better trade-in deals, are easier to sell, and give you more money back when you upgrade.
For example, You'll have made Rs. 25,000 if you buy a phone for Rs. 80,000 and then sell it for Rs. 55,000 after two years. You spend Rs. 45,000 in the same amount of time as someone who buys a phone that costs only Rs. 35,000. This difference is usually bigger than the price difference when you first buy.
What Affects a Phone’s Resale Value?
Many things affect how much your phone is worth after a few years.
Brand Reputation: Premium brands with strong customer demand generally retain their value better. Second-hand buyers pay more for names they trust.
Software Updates: Phones that receive regular Android or iOS updates remain useful longer, increasing resale prices. Apple supports iPhones for 5 to 7 years, and Samsung now offers up to seven years of updates on recent flagships, which has directly improved Galaxy resale values.
Device Condition: Resale data consistently shows that cosmetic condition is the biggest pricing factor after brand and model. A phone without scratches, cracks, or battery issues always commands a higher price, while a faulty phone can be worth as little as 4 to 14 percent of its original price.
Storage Variant: Higher storage models usually sell for more than base variants, and the gap often widens in the used market.
Original Accessories: Phones with the original box, charger, and invoice usually sell for more because buyers see these as proof that the phone is genuine.
Market Demand: Popular flagship models keep their value better than entry-level phones. Foldable phones are an exception—they often keep 60 percent or more of their value after one year because they are rare and seen as premium.
When it comes to smartphones, Apple always has the best resale value. Market data from outside sources shows that new iPhones lose about 25 to 35 percent of their value in the first year, based on the model and condition. This is the slowest loss of value of any major brand.
There are several reasons for this: Apple offers software updates for 5 to 7 years, used iPhones are in high demand, the build quality is excellent, and the brand is trusted. Many Apple fans also prefer to buy used iPhones instead of switching brands, which helps keep prices high.
Estimated value retention (good condition):
Time After Purchase
Estimated Resale Value
After 1 Year
65–75%
After 2 Years
50–65%
After 3 Years
40–55%
For example, an iPhone purchased for Rs. 80,000 may still sell for approximately:
Year 1: Rs. 52,000 to Rs. 60,000
Year 2: Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 52,000
Year 3: Rs. 32,000 to Rs. 44,000
One thing to note: iPhones are losing value a bit faster with each new generation. SellCell found the iPhone 16 series lost value quicker than the iPhone 15 and 13 at the same point. Still, iPhones keep about 15 to 25 percent more trade-in value than similar Android phones.
Samsung Resale Value: Flagships Improving Every Year
Samsung sells phones in all price ranges—budget, mid-range, and flagship—but how much they’re worth later depends a lot on which model you choose.
Samsung Flagships: Galaxy S and Z series phones keep their value fairly well, and they’re getting better each year. SellCell data shows the Galaxy S25 lost 46.6 percent of its value in five months, which is better than the S24 and much better than the S22. Samsung’s promise of seven years of updates helps, as buyers trust these phones will stay supported. Some experts think Samsung could match iPhone resale value if this trend continues.
Mid-range Samsung Phones: Galaxy A and M series lose value faster because there’s a lot of competition and new models come out often. Each year, a new A-series phone is released at a similar price, which makes older models drop in value quickly.
Estimated value retention (flagships, good condition):
Time After Purchase
Estimated Resale Value
After 1 Year
45–55%
After 2 Years
35–50%
After 3 Years
25–40%
For example, a Samsung flagship costing Rs. 70,000 may sell for:
Year 1: Rs. 31,500 to Rs. 38,500
Year 2: Rs. 24,500 to Rs. 35,000
Year 3: Rs. 17,500 to Rs. 28,000
Galaxy Z Fold phones are different—they often keep more than 60 percent of their value after the first year because they’re premium and not many are available second-hand. In contrast, budget Galaxy models can lose much more value.
OnePlus Resale Value: Decent for Flagships, Weak for Nord
OnePlus has a loyal following in India, especially among tech fans. But studies show OnePlus phones lose value faster than Apple and Samsung, dropping in price fairly quickly after you buy them.
Premium OnePlus flagships, such as the numbered series, hold their value fairly well due to strong specs and strong brand recognition in India. Nord series phones lose value faster and face tough competition in the mid-range market, just like Samsung’s A series. Also, OnePlus offers software updates for a shorter time than Apple and Samsung, which affects resale prices.
Estimated value retention (flagships, good condition):
Time After Purchase
Estimated Resale Value
After 1 Year
40–50%
After 2 Years
30–40%
After 3 Years
20–35%
For example, a OnePlus flagship priced at Rs. 50,000 may sell for:
Year 1: Rs. 20,000 to Rs. 25,000
Year 2: Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 20,000
Year 3: Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 17,500
While OnePlus has decent resale value for an Android brand, it still falls behind Apple and top Samsung models in the second-hand market.
Apple vs Samsung vs OnePlus: Resale Value Comparison
Here is the full comparison of estimated value retention across the three brands (flagship models, good condition):
Brand
After 1 Year
After 2 Years
After 3 Years
Apple
65–75%
50–65%
40–55%
Samsung (flagships)
45–55%
35–50%
25–40%
OnePlus (flagships)
40–50%
30–40%
20–35%
Winner: Apple keeps the highest resale value at every stage, usually holding 15 to 25 percent more than similar Android phones. But the gap is getting smaller—iPhones are losing value faster each year, while Samsung flagships are improving.
Keep in mind these numbers are estimates from trade-in and buyback studies. Real resale prices in India depend on the model, storage, condition, and when you sell. You might get a bit more if you sell privately instead of using instant trade-in offers.
Pick Apple if you care most about long-term value. The higher price at first is balanced out by the best resale returns.
Choose Samsung if you want an Android flagship with good and improving resale value. Go for the Galaxy S or Z series, but don’t expect strong resale from the A and M series.
Pick OnePlus if you want flagship performance for less money and are okay with lower resale value. The numbered flagship models keep their value better than the Nord series.
Which Phones Hold Value Best?
Apple: iPhone 17 Pro Max, iPhone 17 Pro, iPhone 16 Pro Max, iPhone 16, iPhone 15 Pro Max
Samsung: Galaxy S25 Ultra, Galaxy S25+, Galaxy Z Fold series (foldables often retain over 60 percent after one year)
OnePlus: OnePlus 13, OnePlus 13R, OnePlus 12
These flagship phones are in higher demand in the second-hand market than budget models, so they’re easier to sell quickly and for better prices.
Tips to Maximise Your Phone’s Resale Value
If you want to sell your phone later, try these tips:
Use a protective case and screen guard from day one. Cosmetic condition is the top pricing factor after brand and model.
Avoid scratches, dents, and water damage.
Keep the original box, charger, and invoice.
Maintain good battery health.
Install software updates regularly.
Sell your phone before the next model comes out. Used prices drop fast when a new version is released, so selling a few weeks before the launch usually gets you the best price.
Factory reset the device before handing it over.
Taking these small steps can boost your resale price by several thousand rupees.
Where Can You Sell Your Old Phone?
Selling your phone privately can take time, and buyers may try to bargain hard.
Instead, you can use a trusted buyback platform like Cashkr to get an instant price for your old phone. Cashkr works with brands like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, Google Pixel, and more. It offers quick price checks, doorstep pickup in supported areas, and an easy way to sell your phone without dealing with lots of buyers.
Final Verdict
If getting the best resale value matters most to you, Apple is still the top choice. iPhones lose value the slowest because of long software support, great build quality, and strong demand. However, each new iPhone is losing value a bit faster than the one before.
Samsung is a strong and improving option if you buy a flagship Galaxy S or Z series phone, thanks to its seven-year update promise. Mid-range Samsung models lose value much faster. OnePlus gives good performance for the price, but its resale value is lower than both Apple and Samsung, especially for the Nord series.
Before you buy your next smartphone, think about both the upfront price and how much you can get back when you upgrade. When it’s time to sell, checking your phone’s value on Cashkr can help you get a good offer and make selling easy.
Bottom line: Apple keeps its value best (65 to 75 percent after 1 year), Samsung flagships are next (45 to 55 percent) and getting better, while OnePlus is a bit behind (40 to 50 percent). Buy flagship models, protect your phone from the start, and sell before the next model comes out.
FAQs
1. Which smartphone brand has the best resale value: Apple, Samsung, or OnePlus?
Apple has the best resale value. Depreciation studies show recent iPhones lose only about 25 to 35 percent of their value in the first year, retaining roughly 15 to 25 percent more trade-in value than comparable Android phones from Samsung, OnePlus, and Google.
2. How much resale value does an iPhone retain after 2 years?
An iPhone in good condition typically retains 50 to 65 percent of its purchase price after 2 years. For example, an iPhone bought for Rs. 80,000 may still sell for Rs. 40,000 to Rs. 52,000 after two years, depending on model, storage, and condition.
3. Do Samsung phones have good resale value?
Samsung flagships like the Galaxy S25 Ultra and Z Fold series hold their value fairly well, retaining roughly 45 to 55 percent after 1 year, and they are improving with each generation. SellCell data shows the Galaxy S25 depreciated less than the S24 and S22 at the same stage, helped by Samsung’s seven-year update commitment. Mid-range Galaxy A and M phones depreciate much faster.
4. What is the resale value of OnePlus phones?
About 40 to 50 percent of the value of a top OnePlus phone remains after a year, 30 to 40 percent after two years, and 20 to 35 percent after three years. While flagship phones like the OnePlus 13 are more valuable than the Nord series, OnePlus is still behind Apple and Samsung in terms of overall market share.
5. Is the resale gap between iPhone and Samsung closing?
Yes. SellCell data shows iPhone depreciation is rising with each generation, with the iPhone 16 series losing value faster than the iPhone 15 and 13 at the same stage, while each new Galaxy S series retains more value than its predecessor. Apple still leads, but the gap is narrowing.
6. What factors affect a phone’s resale value the most?
The most important factors are the brand, model, and state of the device's appearance. These are followed by software update support, storage variant, original box and accessories, and market demand. Because of this, condition is very important. A broken phone may only be worth 4 to 14% of its original price.
7. How can I increase my phone’s resale value?
Use a case and screen guard from day one to avoid scratches and water damage; keep the original box and invoice; maintain good battery health; install software updates; factory reset before selling; and sell before the next generation of your phone launches.
8. When is the best time to sell my old phone?
A few weeks before the next generation of your phone is announced. Used prices drop sharply once the successor launches, so selling ahead of the launch cycle consistently gets the highest price.
9. Are iPhones cheaper to own long term despite higher prices?
Yes, most of the time. As an example, an iPhone that costs Rs. 80,000 and sells for Rs. 45,000 after two years costs Rs. 35,000. An Android that costs Rs. 60,000 and sells for Rs. 22,000. You can get some of your money back when you upgrade, so the more expensive phone may end up being the cheaper one overall.
10. Where can I sell my old phone for the best price?
You don't have to negotiate with individual buyers if you use a trusted buyback platform like Cashkr. It gives you an instant price estimate, works with brands like Apple, Samsung, OnePlus, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo, Realme, and Google Pixel, and lets you pick up your phone at home in supported areas for a hassle-free sale.
If you want to sell your old devices then, click here.
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