When buying a mobile phone, one of your considerations should be how well it retains its resale value. Some phones hold value better than others due to reasons such as reputation of the brand, build quality, software support, and market demand. At 247GreenGadgets, we value a consumer-friendly perspective: user face options in choosing a phone with long-term value either for trade-in later for bigger bucks or just simple passing down. Amongst market trends and data, here is a look into which phones retain value the longest in 2025, all while giving you tips to help maximize the value of your phone at sale.
Why Some Phones Retain Value Better?
There are many different factors that affect the holding value of a particular phone:
– Brand Reputation: Premium brands, for example, Apple and Samsung, maintain brand loyalty that spurs demand in a secondhand market.
– Software Support: Software updates for a longer period keep the phone doing everything it is supposed to do and secured, thus making it attractive for resale.
– Build Quality: Materials and designs that are, say, metal or glass bodies maintain the value better in comparison with plastic builds.
– The Demand of the Market: Popular models with great demand, especially flagship devices, retain value in the eyes of consumers.
– Condition: Phones in prima condition with very little signs of wear fetch better trade-in prices.
Top Phones That Hold Their Value in 2025
1. Apple iPhones
Apple’s iPhones always hover at the top of the value retention list, losing just 46% of their value in 12 months and 64% after 24 months, unlike Android phones that lose up to 77% in the same frame. Some key models include:
•iPhone 16 Pro Max and iPhone 16: The 2024 flagships come with the A18 Pro chip, amazing cameras, and Apple Intelligence and thus enjoy high demand. Thus, a refurbished iPhone 16 Pro Max can retain more than 50% of its value after one year.
•iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15: These 2023 models with an A17 Pro chip and USB-C are considered highly lucrative, with resale values between £600–£700 for devices in proper working condition.
•iPhone 13 Series: iPhone 13 and 13 Pro Max, with the A15 Bionic chip, hold good value and depreciate minimum, something about 38-43% after 12 months, mainly due to performance and iOS support that lasts up to 7 years.
Why They Hold Value: The ecosystem, software updates (often 6–7 years), and brand loyalty keep iPhones in high demand. Ceramic Shield glass, along with a solid build, is also protective in nature.
2. Samsung Galaxy S Series
The flagship Galaxy S series of Samsung stands as the Android brand that tops in value retention, where a phone loses approximately 68% of its value after 12 months and 77% after 24 months. Some popular models include:
• Galaxy S25 Ultra and S25: Released in 2025, these phones capitalize on Snapdragon 8 Elite chips, Galaxy AI systems, and 7 years of software updates in the secondhand market.
• Galaxy S24 Ultra and S24: Retaining their value over 40% after a year, the 2024 models come equipped with 200MP cameras and One UI enhancements.
• Galaxy S23 Ultra: Considered to be one of the best for resale, this 2023 model with a stylus, excellent cameras, and long-term support has resale prices well into the range of £500–£600 for a used unit.
Why They Hold Value: Samsung’s high-end hardware paired with slick designs and long support cycles (up to 7 years for recent models) keep their phones competitive with the iPhones. The international brand recognition goes a long way in fueling demand as well.
3. Google Pixel Series
Google Pixels have been gaining in resale value, mainly because of software longevity. Some key models include:
• Pixel 9 Pro and 9 Pro XL: These 2025 flagships, with the Tensor G4 chipset, will get 7 years of Android updates and have awesome cameras; consequently, they retain up to 40% of their value after a year.
• Pixel 9a: For $499, this 2025 model gives flagship performance and 7 years of updates-this ought to make for a strong factor in resale.
• Pixel 7 Series: Tensor G2-powered 2023 models manage to hold 40% of their value after 12 months.
Why They Hold Value: Pixels offer clean Android, AI-backed features, and best-in-business software updates for 7 years-almost akin to Apple and Samsung. On the other hand, you have occasional vendor-and-hardware-related issues that sometimes affect ink resale value.
4. OnePlus Flagships
OnePlus manufactured elegant hardware to create a date for premium prices. And some standout models include:
•OnePlus 13: This flagship was launched in 2025. It features fast charging, a Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and a 120Hz AMOLED display, retaining over 35% of its value after a year.
• OnePlus 10 Pro: A high-spec machine with OxygenOS; it still has good resale value, about 35% after 12 calender months.
Why They Hold Value: OnePlus combines flagship performance with affordability, and their clean software experience appeals to Android enthusiasts. However, their resale market is smaller than Apple or Samsung.
5. Other Notable Mentions
• Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Z Flip Series: These foldables retain value better than most Androids due to their high-end design and 7-year update promise but, on the other hand, are comparatively more volatile in their depreciation rates than the flagship S-series (about 59% after 12 months).
• Nothing Phone (3a): This mid-range offering spells brand consciousness and strong performance; has a resale demand of around 20-25% after a year; thus, appealing to tech enthusiasts.
• Motorola Edge and Razr Series: Designs like the Motorola Razr Ultra (2025) and Edge 30 Pro hold value well due to innovative design and strong hardware, with sales at about 30% after the first 12 months.
How to Maximize Your Phone’s Resale Value
To ensure your phone retains as much value as possible, follow these tips:
The Processes That Can Help to Sell a Phone Higher Price
• Keep Protective Accessories Applied: A heavy-duty case and screen protector keep the phone pristine, increasing its trade-in value.
• Trade-In Right Away: The price of the phone drops drastically with the introduction of the newer model. For instance, one month after the launching of the iPhone 11, the price of iPhone XS also dropped to about 19%. Therefore, the sooner you trade your phone in, the better, so once you feel ready to upgrade, do it straight away.
• Keep It Unlocked: Unlocked phones appeal to a wider range of buyers and so generally command higher prices than phones tied to a carrier.
• Maintain Battery Health: Try to prevent full discharges of the battery and use quality chargers to maintain battery life, as weak batteries reduce the resale value.
• Original Accessories Are the Best: The original box, charger, and accessories may give your phone a slight value increase.
• Sell to a Trusted Buyer: Select a reputable site such as 247GreenGadgets to ensure you get a fair price, fast payment, and price lock for 21 days.
Why Sell to 247GreenGadgets?
At 247GreenGadgets, we make selling your phone easy, secure, and eco-friendly. Here’s why we’re the best choice:
• Competitive Offers: We assess the phones for their model, condition, and demand in the market, and offer fair prices.
• Eco Friendly: We refurbish or recycle the items properly, thereby reducing further e-waste.
• No-Fuss Service: Free shipping; Inexpensive, Reliable; Easy-to-understand Evaluations.
• Trusted Company: Our experienced team based in the UK will make the entire process hassle-free with their special warranty coverage that we provide for refurbished phones we sell.
To begin selling, go to 247greengadgets.co.uk/sell-to-us/for an instant quote. Browse high-value refurbished phones at 247greengadgets.co.uk/phones/if you want to buy one.
After 2025, iPhones would rank first when it comes to holding value, followed by Samsung’s Galaxy S series and then Google’s Pixels. Emerging brands such as OnePlus and Nothing are gaining some traction, but if you consider the lengthy software support and loyal following of Apple, iPhones are indeed the best investment for resale value. Choosing any phone from these companies and maintaining it well guarantees you will get plenty of return when you need to upgrade.
Want to sell your phone or buy a refurbished one that holds value? Visit 247GreenGadgets now to learn about our trade-in program or check out our array of high-quality refurbished phones!
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