Foldable smartphones have been making waves in the tech world with notable advancements in design and durability by brands like Honor, Samsung, and Google. These sleek devices, becoming slimmer and lighter while featuring expansive foldable screens, have garnered significant attention.
Recently, Samsung teased a tri-fold device with three screens, showcasing a large tablet-style display when unfolded. Speculations also suggest that Apple might introduce its first foldable iPhone in the near future, further fueling the appeal of this technology.
Despite the growing popularity of foldables, a cautionary note comes from SellCell, a trade-in platform, highlighting a concerning trend. According to SellCell’s analysis, foldable phones can experience a rapid loss in resale value compared to traditional smartphones. Within six months of release, foldables can depreciate by up to 15.4% more than standard flagships.
SellCell’s data reveals that on average, foldable devices lose around 62.3% of their value within the first six months, significantly higher than the 49.8% depreciation rate for non-foldable flagships. Over an 18-month period, foldables tend to lose approximately 71.1% of their value, while non-foldables see a depreciation of 60.7%.
Samsung, a key player in the foldable market, faces substantial price drops according to SellCell’s findings. Samsung’s foldable devices experienced a sharp decline of 63.7% in value within the first six months, significantly more than the 48.3% decline observed in the standard Galaxy S series.
The rapid depreciation of foldables can be attributed to several factors, as explained by SellCell. Foldable phones are still relatively new in comparison to traditional smartphones, making them less familiar and potentially riskier for consumers. Repairing foldable screens is notably more expensive than standard displays, reducing the appeal of second-hand models for resale or trade-ins.
While foldables represent the future of technology, they are currently in an early-adopter phase in terms of value retention. Traditional smartphones remain the more reliable choice for consumers and resellers due to easier refurbishment, predictable resale values, and established demand. Therefore, despite their allure, buyers should be cautious as foldables may not retain their value as well as standard smartphones in the resale market.