Likely re-sale value of flagship Samsung handsets after 1 year

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Lizard1977

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#315988 5-Sep-2024 10:42

I'm looking at possibly replacing my phone early next year (when funds permit) and have been toying with the idea of moving over to Android - specifically, the Samsung Z Fold 6. With most handsets offering little that is new or exciting, I'm intrigued to see if the folding handsets are now ready for primetime. I've been here before though - I switched over to the Samsung Note 8 and lasted 2 years with it before switching back to the iPhone 11 Pro.

If you've sold a flagship Samsung handset after around a year (assuming in good condition, etc) how much have you been able to realistically get for it? In my experience iPhones tend to hold their value better than Samsung but maybe that's no longer the case. If the resale value is still pretty good at the one year mark, then it might be less of a risk to try a new Samsung folding handset and use the loss in value when sold after about a year as the cost of experimenting.

zocster

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#3279206 5-Sep-2024 10:46

I'd say look on trademe. Facebook marketplace can be dodgy.

toejam316

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#3279208 5-Sep-2024 10:51

From what I've seen, foldables do not maintain value like traditional smartphones, as they're more susceptable to wear. I wouldn't recommend buying one with the expectation that you can flip it if/when you're sick of it, especially if it's a year on. I'd expect you might get 50% of your input value if it's in very good condition.

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Lizard1977

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#3279210 5-Sep-2024 10:55

zocster: I'd say look on trademe. Facebook marketplace can be dodgy.

I thought of that, but the live listings aren't always helpful - what really matters is what they actually sold for, not what someone hopes they can get for it.

gehenna

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#3279216 5-Sep-2024 10:59

Chop about 30-50% off the price you paid and that's ballpark what you'll get for a 1-2yr fold device with zero cosmetic or operational issues. Add any of those issues and it'll drop the resale further. I know this from selling my Fold2, Fold3, Fold4, and Fold5. And certainly don't sell it on FB.

Lizard1977

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#3279227 5-Sep-2024 11:30

That's interesting to know.

Does anyone have experience with the One NZ Upgrade programme? They have a thing where you can add $10/month to your plan when you buy a phone over 24 or 36 months interest free and then you can switch out your phone at any point (paying a redemption fee of around $99 depending where you are in your repayments) and they just wipe your existing payment plan and put you on the new payment plan for the new phone. Seems a bit like a guaranteed trade-in thing, essentially but it might be good for trying out a new phone...

gehenna

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#3279229 5-Sep-2024 11:33

There's a wide variety of programmes. Pretty much every retailer has their own trade-in programme for new Samsung devices. Samsung does directly too. And all the telcos will do a trade on your current phone as part of the purchase of a new one, though you'll get less than selling privately. It depends on your circumstances. Some find it better to buy outright and get the $1000 extra value from PB Tech, then sell all the stuff they get for free to supplement funding the device. Others might do the One.NZ type of programme to spread the load over a longer time.

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caffynz

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#3279243 5-Sep-2024 11:39

Lizard1977:

That's interesting to know.

Does anyone have experience with the One NZ Upgrade programme? They have a thing where you can add $10/month to your plan when you buy a phone over 24 or 36 months interest free and then you can switch out your phone at any point (paying a redemption fee of around $99 depending where you are in your repayments) and they just wipe your existing payment plan and put you on the new payment plan for the new phone. Seems a bit like a guaranteed trade-in thing, essentially but it might be good for trying out a new phone...

My SO did that once with 2degrees when they offered it (No longer do AFAIK), and about halfway through the 3-year repayment plan, he switched to a newer phone (and new repayment plan). Don't recall him having to pay a fee though.

KiwiSurfer

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#3279281 5-Sep-2024 14:05

Lizard1977:

zocster: I'd say look on trademe. Facebook marketplace can be dodgy.

I thought of that, but the live listings aren't always helpful - what really matters is what they actually sold for, not what someone hopes they can get for it.

That's why I search the old auctions -- look for the ones that sold above reserve (and ignore the ones that didn't sell) and that should give you a good idea of the value.

I'd say the S series would hold up very well. My S21 still works very well so I would be very reluctant to sell it for a low price. The S series I would place on par with iPhones (having previously used iPhones for around 10 years).

The A series on the other hand (I have an A series for work) shows it age very quickly and wouldn't fetch much TBH. Even new it was never any good TBH.

I have a friend with a Samsung flip and the wear and tear is very noticeable especially around the folding area.

YMMV though as the value is not just in whether or not its a flagship but also whether it's in good condition etc.

gehenna

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#3279315 5-Sep-2024 15:59

There's also been a fair few sold here on GZ over the past few years. Those might give a better indication of real world value. And people usually state if they are dropping the price a little bit to sell to a Geekzoner. Search the Offers and Wanted forum.