New mobile devices seem to be appearing more frequently than ever, especially for household company names like Samsung. This is resulting in people selling their phones quicker to pick up the next big thing with updated specs. However, with so many Samsung mobiles in the market, and even more set to release in the foreseeable future, it raises the question of just how much Samsung phones depreciate.
Fortunately, a study conducted by the mobile comparison website and marketplace SellCell gives us some valuable insights into the amount of value Samsung devices typically lose after months of using them. The study specifically dove deep into the resale value of Samsung’s S23 range of phones and delivers some shocking results.
Today, we’re here to dive deeper into the depreciation of Samsung mobiles and which phones you might want to pick up if maximum resale value is your highest priority.
How Much Did Samsung Phones Depreciated in 2023?
Below is a table summarizing the depreciation rate of Samsung phones in 2023 after 3 months of launch according to SellCell’s findings. The current value of all the phones at the start of 2024 is also mentioned to accurately gauge how much resale value Samsung phones lost in the year.
| 1 Month | Launch Date | MSRP | 1 Month | 2 Months | 3 Months | Current Value |
| Galaxy S23 128GB | 17/02/2023 | $799.99 | 38.1% | 41.9% | 45.9% | $374 |
| Galaxy S23 256GB | 17/02/2023 | $859.99 | 42.4% | 43.0% | 47.3% | $399 |
| Galaxy S23 Plus 256GB | 17/02/2023 | $999.99 | 36.9% | 35.6% | 35.3% | $491 |
| Galaxy S23 Plus 512GB | 17/02/2023 | $1,199.99 | 39.2% | 38.5% | 38.3% | $516 |
| Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB | 17/02/2023 | $1,199.99 | 41.6% | 43.8% | 43.6% | $590 |
| Galaxy S23 Ultra 512GB | 17/02/2023 | $1,379.99 | 45,9% | 47.9% | 47.8% | $620 |
| Galaxy S23 Ultra 1TB | 17/02/2023 | $1,619.99 | 52.7% | 53.8% | 53.5% | $659 |
| Galaxy S23 FE 128GB | 5/10/2023 | $629.99 | – | 68.3% | 68.1% | $201 |
| Galaxy S23 FE 256GB | 5/10/2023 | $689.99 | – | 69.6% | 68.7% | $216 |
Most and Least Depreciated Samsung Phone in 2023
According to the study, from all of the Samsung phones that were pitted against each other, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Flagship range won by a landslide. The S23 Plus 256GB model was found to be depreciating at a rate of 35.3%, even three months after launch. The fourth month didn’t do much to dwindle the resale value of the mobile either, as the depreciation increased by less than 1%, resulting in a 36.3% depreciation rate.
One interesting thing to note is that the Samsung S23 performed better in 2023 than the Samsung S22 did in 2022, showcasing the company’s commitment to ensuring its mobile phones are built to last.
On the other hand, the study found that “The worst performing handset across multiple brands is the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE.” The scaled-back features and reduced price seem to come at a cost, as the S23 FE lost a massive 68.7% of its value only two months after launch.
How To Calculate Depreciation On Your Phone?
Depreciation on your Samsung phone can be calculated by using the straight-line and written-down value (compound) method. However, to make things easier, SellCell, the website that conducted the original depreciation study, has a smartphone depreciation calculator you can utilize.
Alternatively, another quick way of calculating depreciation on your phone is to search for your phone on resale websites like eBay and Craigslist. The amount other people are willing to offer for the phone you want to calculate the depreciation for can give you a good idea of how much value your phone has in the market and how much it has lost.
Why Do Samsung Phones Depreciate So Fast?
There are several reasons for Samsung phones depreciating so fast, especially when compared to iPhones, but the most prevalent is the number of Samsung phones coming out every year. Since consumers know that a newer model with better specs will be coming out soon, they’re less likely to pay a high price for a resold phone.
Additionally, there’s also the matter of software to consider. Android phones typically stop getting software updates after approximately two years, with there being only a handful of exceptions to this matter. Google in particular is unable or unwilling to optimize newer software for older phones and instead opts to focus on newer models with newer hardware.
The table above is a good example of how even the tiniest bit of news about a future Samsung model can drastically affect the resale value of a phone. With news of the Samsung Galaxy S24 on the horizon, every phone in the S23 range has depreciated over 50% from its original value.
