Err.... you do realise that 'being on top' of this graph means it depreciates the most ie is worth less...??
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iPhone 13 Depreciates Half as Much as Flagship Android Rival
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Err.... you do realise that 'being on top' of this graph means it depreciates the most ie is worth less...??
vertsix
macrumors 68020
I've said it before and I'll say it again...
I did the math and it's actually cheaper to own an iPhone long-term than it is to own a mid or high-end Android phone based on depreciation, software support and security updates.
Example: I lost over $300 on my Galaxy S21 which I sold about a month ago. I only had it for 6 months. That's $50/mo to use a smartphone! Even if I were to have kept it until loss of support (4 years), it'd be upwards of $13 a month to own. Whereas I had my iPhone 6s from October 2015 to October 2020 (that's 5 years). $749 - $220 sold = $529 over 60 months, just $8.82/mo! And if you bought even the highest end 5s and you're holding on to it (as its supported with security updates) and you'd sell it right now... $849 (64GB 5s) - $85 (market value) = $764 over 99 months... $7.71/mo!
I did the math and it's actually cheaper to own an iPhone long-term than it is to own a mid or high-end Android phone based on depreciation, software support and security updates.
Example: I lost over $300 on my Galaxy S21 which I sold about a month ago. I only had it for 6 months. That's $50/mo to use a smartphone! Even if I were to have kept it until loss of support (4 years), it'd be upwards of $13 a month to own. Whereas I had my iPhone 6s from October 2015 to October 2020 (that's 5 years). $749 - $220 sold = $529 over 60 months, just $8.82/mo! And if you bought even the highest end 5s and you're holding on to it (as its supported with security updates) and you'd sell it right now... $849 (64GB 5s) - $85 (market value) = $764 over 99 months... $7.71/mo!
If you're going to sell it/trade it in.
However, if you just use the phone and get a new phone when you're ready despite updates (security or otherwise), YMMV depending on which iPhone you buy.
jerry333
macrumors regular
What is an android knock off? Just curious how you are defining that. IE - Samsung and Google make Android phones. None of them are knock offs.
Amazing Iceman
macrumors 603
Interesting the iPhone 13 Pro 1TB looses less than the 512GB version. When it comes time to trade it in they could care less about the storage size.
Google dropping new retail prices certainly hasn't helped Pixel resales. The Pixel 3 128 GB was $899 at launch three years ago. Today's Pixel 6 with 128 GB is already 1/3 less at only $599.
Don't get me wrong, I have an iPhone and I have no plans of changing for so, so many reasons.
That said, these comparisons are idiotic. No one is "investing" in their device -- they use it for years and by then it's worth a fraction of its value no matter what the device.
Few people keep it only one year, and those who do are on the annual plan where trade-ins are automatic.
That said, these comparisons are idiotic. No one is "investing" in their device -- they use it for years and by then it's worth a fraction of its value no matter what the device.
Few people keep it only one year, and those who do are on the annual plan where trade-ins are automatic.
ftaok
macrumors 604
From another angle, when it comes time for a trade-in, you'll get more back if you trade in an iPhone vs. an Android phone. So maybe a customer doesn't go into an iPhone purchase with re-sale value in mind, but I'm sure they appreciate getting a good trade-in offer when they're buying a new phone.
This translates to around $400 trade value for the phone and a $600 incentive for purchasing new phone on a 30-month top tier Magenta MAX plan.
ackmondual
macrumors 68020
It's not. It's actually been quite diverse. The high end Pixels would go to $700. The Google Pixel 4A has been a spectacular value for someone who just wants an up-to-date phone, at $350 (should be able to get this for $300). Also on the small side (for a modern phone, like the iPhone SE models) which makes it great for those that much prefer the small form factor.
Apple has been getting into this arena as well. The iPhone SE was $400 (although the base storage may not be enough, so tack on another $100 for the next storage tier for something very roomy to work with). I just got a 9th gen iPad (base 64 GB storage) for $320. Even 5 years ago, getting brand new (as opposed to in used condition), latest generation (as opposed to something that came out years/generations ago) iDevices would be unheard of. You'd needed to have resorted to buy by compromising one or the other, if not both.
My 9th gen iPad is a very nice upgrade to my iPad Air, but TBF, it's a low bar to clear. Ipad Air came out in 2013 (1st gen), it's still on ios8 (eight), and its battery life took such a hit that in the last 2 years, I spent more time charging it that actually using it. However, as good as the 9th gen is, it does scream "discount value" when you compare it to the the iPad Air and iPad Pro lines. 3 GB vs. up to 8 GB of RAM. 256 GB vs. 2 TB of storage. 10.2" vs. 12.9" screens, not to mention better quality screens. Of course, the latter can go up to $1900 to $2400. I went with "el cheapest" b/c I'm using mine as a glorified gaming device. I won't be doing any productivity with it, nor "super heavy gaming" (and yes, I didn't want to spend more than a few hundred $'s anyways)
ftaok
macrumors 604
For those that buy a phone and use it for several years (like 4 or 5 years), getting an iPhone may make more sense. iPhones tend to be supported at the OS level a lot longer than most Android phones, thus allowing a user to hold off on a purchase of a new phone for an extra year or two.
Depends on the phone. Depends on the apps the person uses. And it's more likely someone will switch phones due to battery issues (no longer holding a long enough charge) or other reasons than an "OS" issue. But again, YMMV
Well apple has the snobbery tax atached to it that all other manufacturers cannot reproduce. People with iphones feel more imporant and inteligent and they buy the latest one beacose its a status symbol. I know till iphone 8 i was one of them too
ackmondual
macrumors 68020
Nice thing about products that don't hold their value as well as iDevices is I can get it on sale for much sooner! 🙂 I plan on getting a new Pixel. 11 months from now will be when the 6 and 6 Pro will have been out for a year, so I can probably count on some discounts to smooth the purchase over. Another thing is I don't sell my old hardware anyways. I use them far past their life times, so I won't be able to get much for them anyways. I don't even know if it's worth selling my iPad Air (1st gen from 2013), and iPod Touch 5. I may be able to get $50 apiece for them? However, they both could use a change in battery (esp. the former)
SDJim
macrumors 6502a
ftaok
macrumors 604
I decided to replace the battery in my iPad Air last spring. It was $99 and while that probably wasn't fiscally prudent, it would have served my needs ... which is basically reading comic books.
Decided to get an OEM replacement at the Apple Store since the local "fixit" places were charging the same price and Apple just swaps it with a refurb unit. I figured, what the Hell.
It took a long time because they didn't have any replacement units available and had to order it from HQ. When it did finally show up (after some nagging by me), I ended up with an iPad (2017) as the replacement unit. Bumped up from 16GB to 32GB as well.
Not sure if iPad Air is still on the list for allowable service, but you might end up with a better iPad.
YMMV
Amazing Iceman
macrumors 603
I could have sold it on the net for a lot more than $400.00
And I was already a T-Mobile subscriber, so it was a big plus.
This has pretty much always been the case. iPhones retain value longer than rival devices. Macs similarly retain value longer than PCs. Case in point I just sold an old 2010 iMac for $200 last year. No way a 10 year old desktop PC with those specs is going for $200, if it’s still even functional at all.
My regret with the HomePod is not buying another one when they were discounted to $200. I use mine every day but really would like the stereo pairing. There's no way I'm paying >$300-$400 for one though to get that.