While we bid final goodbye to the year 2023, a contemplative look at the smartphone industry reveals that there is intense competition in the game of depreciation. SellCell, a prominent online marketplace for smartphones and a website that compares prices, throws light on this fascinating competition between brands.
Apple’s iPhone 15: The King of Value Retention
In the red corner, Apple’s most recent release is a product that performs exceptionally well in terms of value retention. This technological marvel established a new standard by sustaining a loss of value of only 27.9% three months after its first release. When compared to its flagship competitors, this statistic significantly reduces depreciation by 27.1%, which is a remarkable achievement. With an excellent 5% increase in performance, Apple, which is well-known for its ability to keep its market value stable, surpassed its predecessor, the iPhone 14.
After delving deeper into the facts, it became clear that the 256GB iPhone 15 Pro Max was the most valuable device since it experienced a tiny 18.2% decrease in value during its first quarter. As a result of this exceptional performance, several different iPhone 15 models dominated the list of the best-depreciating phones in 2023.
Compare the display quality of the iPhone 15 Pro MaX with the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. Which one offers a superior
visual experience?#iPhone15ProMax #Apple #Samsung #GalaxyS23Ultra pic.twitter.com/xf35bzkvnn— 11 22 (@11_twenty2) January 11, 2024
Galaxy S23: The Underdog with a Surprise Punch
From the blue corner, the Galaxy S23 series delivers a punch that takes everyone by surprise. Additionally, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 series demonstrated extraordinary durability, depreciating up to 32.8% less than other Android flagships. This is even though Apple is the market leader. This figure is especially appealing to consumers who find themselves switching phones regularly.
On the other hand, the Galaxy S23 did not have a perfect or flawless journey. In the first two months, it saw a depreciation of 43.5%, and then in the third month, it experienced a slight decrease of 1.5%. This trajectory stands in stark contrast to that of the Galaxy S22, which had a more drastic decline of 46.8% during the same period. The Galaxy S23 Plus with 256 gigabytes of storage was the highlight of Samsung’s portfolio, and it was able to keep its value from falling by more than 35.3% in just three months.
Due to the hard reality of depreciation, the Galaxy S23 FE experienced a remarkable loss of 68.4% of its value within three months of its release. This is a less fortunate development than the previous one.
Other Players in the Market: Google Pixel and OnePlus
When it came to the competition for the value of smartphones, there were also other big competitors present. The value of the Google Pixel 8 dropped by 61.2% during the first quarter, resulting in a loss for the company throughout the period. Surprisingly, it was superior to its less expensive brother, the Pixel 7a, which also had a value decrease of 52.5% during the same period. The OnePlus 11 managed to slide into the top 15 worst-depreciating smartphones of 2023, with its value plummeting by 48.5%. This was even though it contributed to the improvement of the performance of the Pixel 8.
The Galaxy S23’s modest performance, compared to the iPhone 15, may be partly attributed to Samsung and third-party retailers’ discounting strategies, which inevitably impacted its resale value.
A Dynamic and Competitive Marketplace
2023’s smartphone market painted a dynamic picture, highlighting the intricate dance of value retention and depreciation. Apple’s iPhone 15 emerged as the champion of value, while Samsung’s Galaxy S23 showcased resilience, albeit with a few setbacks. As we embark on 2024, it’s clear that in the world of smartphones, value retention is as vital as the technology itself.
