What Smartphone Depreciation Really Means for Buyers
Smartphone depreciation rate describes how quickly a phone’s market value falls after purchase, and for premium flagship and foldable models this loss can exceed half the original price within a single year, sharply increasing the true long‑term cost of ownership for consumers who plan to resell or upgrade frequently. New data from resale marketplace SellCell, cited in recent coverage, shows foldable smartphones lose an average of 64.6% of their value within 12 months, while traditional flagship phones lose 55.3%. In cash terms, foldable owners see an average loss of USD 997.69 (approx. RM4,590) after one year, compared with USD 605.32 (approx. RM2,785) for standard flagships. Those numbers expose a gap between headline launch prices and realistic phone resale value, and they highlight why understanding depreciation is as important as comparing specs or camera quality when choosing a premium device.
How Much Value a USD 2,000 iPhone Ultra Could Lose
Apple’s rumored iPhone Ultra, expected to be a foldable flagship around USD 2,000 (approx. RM9,210), is a striking example of potential iPhone value loss. Based on SellCell’s analysis of previous foldables, a USD 2,000 iPhone Ultra might lose as much as USD 1,292 (approx. RM5,950) in 12 months, leaving it worth only about 35% of its launch price, or roughly USD 708 (approx. RM3,260). According to Wccftech’s summary of the study, “a hypothetical USD 2,000 foldable iPhone could lose as much as USD 1,292 in its first year if it follows current foldable depreciation trends.” The risk is heightened by the Ultra’s expected fragile construction: a complex hinge, delicate display layers, and novel materials may make damage more likely, which in turn could accelerate depreciation beyond the baseline trend for pristine devices.
Foldable Phones: Innovation with Steep Depreciation
Foldable phone depreciation stands out as especially severe compared with traditional slabs. SellCell’s data, reported by multiple outlets, shows foldables retain only 35.4% of their launch value after 12 months, versus 44.7% for standard flagships. Five of the six biggest monetary losses in the study came from foldable devices. The worst performer identified was the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold6 1TB, which shed USD 1,479.99 (approx. RM6,820) in a year. These numbers matter for Apple’s first foldable too. Technobezz notes that if the iPhone Fold followed the same foldable trend, it would lose about USD 1,292 (approx. RM5,950) in its first year, but if it matched the iPhone 16 family’s retention, the loss could shrink to roughly USD 970 (approx. RM4,470). Even that smaller hit, however, is substantial for early adopters paying top-tier prices.
iPhones Hold Value Better, but Not All Equally
Brand and model heavily influence phone resale value. The SellCell study highlighted that nine of the ten best‑performing devices for value retention were iPhones. Apple’s iPhone 16 lineup retained 51.5% of its value after 12 months, a stronger result than the average for traditional flagships and far ahead of many Android competitors. Technobezz reports that Apple leads major brands for retention, followed by OnePlus at 46.8%, Google at 40.8%, Samsung at 39.5%, and Motorola at 24.5%. That track record suggests any iPhone Fold or iPhone Ultra might fare better than the typical Android foldable, even if its depreciation remains sharper than slab iPhones. Still, for premium buyers, the headline flagship phone cost is only part of the equation; how much of that price can be recovered a year later often depends on choosing the right model within the right brand family.
What This Means for Your Total Cost of Ownership
For consumers, these depreciation patterns translate directly into total cost of ownership. Buying a high‑end foldable or ultra‑premium flagship at launch often means absorbing the steepest 12‑month value loss, especially for first‑generation devices that are replaced quickly. Technobezz points out that the iPhone Fold is a product to buy because you want it, not because you expect to recoup the cost. Shoppers focused on minimizing loss may prefer established flagships that retain closer to half their value after a year, or even mid‑range phones, which often fall from a lower starting price. Timing also matters: holding a device longer spreads the depreciation over more years, while frequent upgrading magnifies the impact. Understanding the smartphone depreciation rate by segment—foldable vs slab, premium vs mid‑range—helps buyers match their upgrade habits to their budget and resale expectations.
