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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →SellCell’s launch-period comparison found that the iPhone 15 family retained the most value overall among the 2023 flagship phones it examined, while the Galaxy S23 family was the strongest Android performer. The best individual model was the iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB, which had depreciated 18.2% three months after launch. The result is useful as a historical comparison—not as a current resale-price guide: it covers mint-condition devices and buyback offers during a short early period, not every phone, private sales, or what a device is worth in 2026.
What SellCell’s study measured
SellCell published its comparison on January 16, 2024, using internal data from more than 40 buyback vendors. Its principal comparison covered mint-condition phones from Apple, Samsung, Google, and OnePlus and tracked values against original MSRP during roughly the first one to three months after each phone family launched. The result is a comparison of buyback value, not a survey of private-party sale prices or total ownership cost. SellCell’s study and methodology
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $403.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Blue - Unlocked (Renewed) | $410.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Apple iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed) | $428.75 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
|
Apple iPhone 15 Plus, 128GB, Pink - Unlocked (Renewed) | $438.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Apple iPhone 15, 128GB, Black - Unlocked (Renewed Premium) | $469.00 | Buy on Amazon |
The basic calculation is:
Depreciation percentage = (original MSRP − resale value) ÷ original MSRP × 100
Value retained is the inverse: 100% minus depreciation. A phone retaining a given percentage of MSRP does not mean its owner recovered that percentage of their own spending. A launch promotion, carrier subsidy, trade-in bonus, taxes, financing, and accessories can make the actual purchase cost very different from MSRP.
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- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
SellCell’s comparison is most relevant to someone considering a convenient buyback route. A private sale may bring a different price, but involves finding a buyer and managing payment, shipping, condition disputes, and any platform fees.
iPhone 15 led overall, but model results varied
Best individual result: iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB
In SellCell’s table, the iPhone 15 Pro Max 256GB was the strongest individual handset. Its reported depreciation was 18.8% after one month, 17.3% after two months, and 18.2% after three months. The dip between the first and second months reflects changing buyback offers; it does not mean the phone became a conventional appreciating asset. SellCell’s model-level results
Family average and comparison with iPhone 14
SellCell reported average iPhone 15-family depreciation of 28.8% after one month, 27.1% after two months, and 27.9% after three months. Its report also gives 27.4% as the family’s latest early-period observation. In a separate analysis published November 2, 2023, SellCell put the iPhone 15 family’s average loss at 28.8% one month after launch, compared with 33.1% for the iPhone 14 family. The report characterized the iPhone 15 range’s early retention as about 5% better on average than the iPhone 14 range, with some model comparisons reaching roughly 11%. SellCell’s iPhone 15 depreciation analysis
Rank #2
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
An average does not describe every configuration. The iPhone 15 Pro 1TB, for example, was reported to have lost 38.8% after one month, making it the weakest iPhone 15-series performer in the separate analysis. The headline result should therefore not be shortened to “the iPhone 15 retained 82%”: that figure would describe neither the full family nor a single model unless its storage, condition, and measurement date were specified.
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Galaxy S23 was the strongest Android family in the comparison
The S23 Plus 256GB stood out within Samsung’s range
The Galaxy S23 Plus 256GB was SellCell’s best-performing S23 model in the early comparison. It had lost 36.9% of its value after one month, 35.6% after two months, and 35.3% after three months. Those results placed it among the 15 best value-retaining phones in the period, but they were much stronger than the S23 family average.
The family average was notably lower
Across the non-FE Galaxy S23 range, SellCell reported average depreciation of about 42.4% after one month, 43.5% after two months, and 44.5% after three months. Storage, model tier, and demand mattered, so the S23 Plus 256GB should not stand in for every S23. In a longer time window, SellCell reported that this Plus model had lost 36.3% by month four and 50.9% by month ten; the S23 Ultra 1TB had lost 59.4% by month ten. Those later figures are not part of the short launch-period comparison.
Rank #3
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
SellCell described the S23 family as the best-retaining Android flagship family in its comparison: it reported 16.7% less depreciation than the Pixel 8 range and 4.0% less than the OnePlus 11 Pro series. The S23 family nevertheless trailed the iPhone 15 family overall. This supports “Android leader in this dataset,” not a universal claim about Samsung or every Android phone. SellCell’s comparison of the phone families
Other phones in the dataset lost value faster
| Phone or range | Reported depreciation | Period and qualification |
|---|---|---|
| Galaxy S23 FE | About 68.4% on average | By month three, according to SellCell’s comparison |
| Google Pixel 8 range | About 61.2% on average | By month three, according to SellCell’s comparison |
| OnePlus 11 range | About 48.5% | At the range’s stated month-three comparison; models varied |
These are observations from SellCell’s buyback dataset, not evidence that the phones were poor products. A phone can be attractive for its features or discounted purchase price and still lose a large percentage relative to its official launch MSRP.
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MSRP is a consistent reference point, but it is not necessarily what buyers paid. Samsung and carriers commonly used launch promotions and trade-in incentives, and discounts can reduce the gap between a new phone’s effective price and the price a buyback vendor will offer for a used one. SellCell specifically noted that Samsung’s launch discount and trade-in strategy affected resale comparisons, including around the S22/S23 transition. That is an observation about the pricing environment, not proof that one factor alone caused the results. SellCell’s discussion of launch pricing
Rank #4
- 6.7inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
For a personal-finance decision, calculate net ownership cost instead:
Net ownership cost = purchase price + fees and accessories − eventual sale or trade-in proceeds
A phone with weaker retention against MSRP can still cost less to own if bought at a steep discount. Conversely, a phone that retains a higher percentage may cost more in absolute dollars. Apple’s steadier retail pricing, a larger pool of used-device buyers, and differences in model mix are plausible contributors to the comparison, but SellCell’s figures do not establish these as causes.
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Best Value
- 6.1inch Super Retina XDR display. Aluminum with color-infused glass back. Ring/Silent switch
- Dynamic Island. A magical way to interact with iPhone. A16 Bionic chip with 5-core GPU
- Advanced dual-camera system. 48MP Main | Ultra Wide. Super-high-resolution photos (24MP and 48MP). Next-generation portraits with Focus and Depth Control. 4X optical zoom range
- Emergency SOS via satellite. Crash Detection. Roadside Assistance via satellite
- Up to 26 hours video playback. USB C, Supports USB 2. Face ID
How to use the findings when buying or selling in 2026
The study was published in January 2024 and focused on the first months after launch. The iPhone 15 launched in September 2023, while the Galaxy S23 launched in February 2023, so the products did not have identical launch dates or observation timelines. By August 2026, the early-period ranking is historical context, not a quote for an older phone. SellCell’s live calculator shows substantially greater cumulative depreciation for some 2023 devices, illustrating the difference between early retention and current value. Check a live quote for the exact model, storage, condition, geography, and selling channel before making a transaction. SellCell’s live depreciation calculator
If you are buying new and expect to upgrade soon
The comparison favors the iPhone 15 family overall and the Galaxy S23 family among the Android phones included. It does not guarantee that every configuration will outperform every competitor. Compare the actual price you can pay, any trade-in promotion, and the likely selling channel—not just MSRP retention.
If you are buying used or discounted stock
Use today’s purchase price as your baseline, rather than the original launch MSRP:
Future depreciation from today = (today’s purchase price − future resale price) ÷ today’s purchase price
This makes a discounted used S23 easier to evaluate fairly: its earlier decline from MSRP is already reflected in the price you pay. For a current resale estimate, use a live quote rather than the 2024 study. Samsung’s U.S. Certified Re-Newed page lists refurbished Galaxy devices, but inventory and prices are subject to change; check Samsung’s current listing. Samsung says eligible trade-in models and values can change, and devices may be rejected or charged back if they miss the required shipping window or fail checks. Review Samsung’s U.S. trade-in terms
If you are selling
Buyback offers prioritize convenience; a private sale may suit someone willing to handle buyer communications and transaction risk. Compare like with like: cash buyback, manufacturer trade-in credit, promotional carrier credit, and private-sale proceeds are not interchangeable. A carrier promotion is conditional credit toward a purchase, not unrestricted cash. For either route, value depends on the precise phone and its condition.
Quick Recap
Practical ways to protect resale value
- Choose a model and storage configuration with broad buyer demand if resale is a priority; the study’s model-level spread shows why family averages can conceal large differences.
- Use a case and screen protector, and avoid damage to the display, camera lenses, or other components.
- Keep the phone unlocked where practical, and resolve any carrier lock, financing balance, blacklist status, or activation lock before selling.
- Preserve purchase documentation if a buyer or trade-in program requires it. Keep accessories only if they add value to the transaction rather than assuming they will be reimbursed.
- Compare multiple offers for the same model, storage, condition, and selling method. A quote can change after inspection.
- Before trade-in or sale, back up your data, remove accounts and device locks, and factory-reset the phone. Samsung’s U.S. trade-in requirements include powering on, holding a charge, a functioning display, a reset device, and removal of accounts and locks; condition and eligibility rules apply. Samsung trade-in requirements
- If timing is flexible, compare offers before a successor launches, when prices may shift. Launches are only one influence; promotions, refurbished inventory, support announcements, and battery-replacement availability can also affect offers.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
