iPhone 8/Plus Holding value: 7+ vs 8+

[fitcious]

So I was thinking and wanted to see what your thoughts were. Do you think the 7+ (given same storage and color as the 8+) will hold its value higher/ higher demand in used market in 1-2 yrs?

The reason I say this is because the rear glass replacement cost on the 8 is much higher than 7 and in 1-2 years time, it will be hard for someone to purchase AC when buying used.

The only way I can see 8 depreciating less/ have more used market demands is if 3rd parties will figure out how to replace the rear glass in a cost effective way- but it’s hard to imagine since the rear glass is meshed together with other pieces of hardware on the phone (correct me if I’m wrong on this).

Are the 7 the last ‘durable, cost effective to fix’ iPhones?

Overall the used phone markets have dropped- even iPhones are cheaper in the used market than in the past, so I’m not saying any iPhones will hold value for extended amount of time. Additionally I love the 8/8+, but wanted to hear your thoughts on this topic. Thanks

 

[KrisLord]

So I was thinking and wanted to see what your thoughts were. Do you think the 7+ (given same storage and color as the 8+) will hold its value higher/ higher demand in used market in 1-2 yrs?

The reason I say this is because the rear glass replacement cost on the 8 is much higher than 7 and in 1-2 years time, it will be hard for someone to purchase AC when buying used.

The only way I can see 8 depreciating less/ have more used market demands is if 3rd parties will figure out how to replace the rear glass in a cost effective way- but it’s hard to imagine since the rear glass is meshed together with other pieces of hardware on the phone (correct me if I’m wrong on this).

Are the 7 the last ‘durable, cost effective to fix’ iPhones?

Overall the used phone markets have dropped- even iPhones are cheaper in the used market than in the past, so I’m not saying any iPhones will hold value for extended amount of time. Additionally I love the 8/8+, but wanted to hear your thoughts on this topic. Thanks

I don’t think people care about repairability.

The 7 plus is a slower and older model without features like wireless charging and so it’s worth less than a 8 plus today and that will continue.

 

[jav6454]

I don’t think people care about repairability.

The 7 plus is a slower and older model without features like wireless charging and so it’s worth less than a 8 plus today and that will continue.

Unless it's a pristine Jet Black. That has value due to the finish.

 

[newellj]

I don’t think people care about repairability.

The 7 plus is a slower and older model without features like wireless charging and so it’s worth less than a 8 plus today and that will continue.

Further, although it's only a piece of the big picture (and the most important piece might be RAM, which is the same on the 7 and 8), the SOC in the 8 is dramatically faster than the 7. I doubt many of us would notice it today in every day use, but it should give the 8 some legs in terms of future iOS updates.

 

[joeblow7777]

Why would the lower spec device retain higher value?

 

[mtneer]

Why would the lower spec device retain higher value?

The value curve has nothing to do with the original price or specs. A $25000 work truck would retain a larger portion of its value after a few years as compared to a $90000 Lincoln Navigator.

 

[rockitdog]

The value curve has nothing to do with the original price or specs. A $25000 work truck would retain a larger portion of its value after a few years as compared to a $90000 Lincoln Navigator.

Thats a complete apples to oranges comparison. We're talking about smartphones (apples to apples actually). The newer spec device with more features will always have a higher value - it's not rocket science.

 

[mtneer]

Thats a complete apples to oranges comparison. We're talking about smartphones (apples to apples actually). The newer spec device with more features will always have a higher value - it's not rocket science.

That wasn't the OP's question. He was asking about which phone would "hold" value better. Obviously he would pay less for the 7+ compared to the 8+ today, and then its a matter of applying the depreciation rate for the 7+ and 8+ into the future, before you can arrive at the held value at any given future point. The depreciation rate can change in the future too.

 

[rui no onna]

Thats a complete apples to oranges comparison. We're talking about smartphones (apples to apples actually). The newer spec device with more features will always have a higher value - it's not rocket science.

First year depreciation hit tends to be the largest particularly if you've got top storage.

 

[d5aqoëp]

I think by next year same time, both iPhone 7 and 8 will have roughly the same resell value of roughy around $300.

Apple phones don't retain so much value these days compared to 4-5 years ago.

Heck I purchased Pixel 2 for half price within 2 months of release from OLX. I still use iPhone 7 Plus as primary.

My friend already uses this strategy to buy 1-2 month used phones with original receipt from used market and score 30-40% discounts. I think it makes sense considering the astronomical launch prices.

 

[KrisLord]

I think it’s worth noting the 6 and 6S have different resale prices today in the used market, so why wouldn’t the 7 and 8 at any point in the future?

 

[sunapple]

It's also hard to guess what the 2018 iPhone lineup will be; SE2 - 7 - 8 - "LCD bezel-less" - X ("Series 2"? with Plus model?). It was easier to predict in the past.

Anyway, I bought a Jet Black 256GB 7 Plus just a month ago for 550 euros. That's a steal as far as I'm concerned, not too worried about future resale value.

 

[jav6454]

Why would the lower spec device retain higher value?

It's not always about starting price.

 

[Adelphos33]

It really depends on if the next iOS update doesn't work as well on the iPhone 7, or if the iOS AR ecosystem advances fast enough to where the iPhone 8 has an advantage. If those two things aren't the case, I can see an iPhone 7 with a replaced battery selling at the same price as an iPhone 8 in late 2018 or early 2019.

 

[fitcious]

Thanks for all the replies!

Firstly, in regards to repairability, I think there will be people that care about that- I mean, take the X for example. Without AC it costs around $500 to replace the screen- for me personally, a piece of info like that will make me reconsider my purchase decision.

As for 8+ vs 7+, i should of better phrased the question- I should of asked whether or not the used market will demand the 7+ more vs the 8+ due to its repairability and chances of 8’s back cracking easier than 7 (since 7 is All aluminum).

I just feel that the depreciation for both phones after first year is approximately the same but since the 8 was announced and it’s glass back, I wonder if 7 has bounced back up in value a bit more due to overall lower ownership cost for the second hand owner vs 8.

Thanks

 

[Adelphos33]

Thanks for all the replies!

Firstly, in regards to repairability, I think there will be people that care about that- I mean, take the X for example. Without AC it costs around $500 to replace the screen- for me personally, a piece of info like that will make me reconsider my purchase decision.

As for 8+ vs 7+, i should of better phrased the question- I should of asked whether or not the used market will demand the 7+ more vs the 8+ due to its repairability and chances of 8’s back cracking easier than 7 (since 7 is All aluminum).

I just feel that the depreciation for both phones after first year is approximately the same but since the 8 was announced and it’s glass back, I wonder if 7 has bounced back up in value a bit more due to overall lower ownership cost for the second hand owner vs 8.

Thanks

Anecdotally, I have heard of far fewer “cracked backs” with the iPhone 8 (and X) relative to the 4 and 4s models. I broke a few iPhone 4s glass backs myself. Maybe the glass is really harder.

 

[tonybarnaby]

I had this dilemma coming from Android. I wanted a 7+ for the glass back, but I went with the 8+ for the better specs.

2 years from now we will have the a13 on iOS 13. A 7+ and 8+ will probably both be lumped together as old lcd screen iPhones.

If they made an 8+ with metal back I would have it.