Foldable smartphones have been making waves in the tech world with companies like Honor, Samsung, and Google continuously enhancing the design, functionality, and durability of these innovative devices. The trend of foldables gaining popularity is evident as they become sleeker, lighter, and feature expansive screens that unfold like a book.
Samsung recently teased a tri-fold device with three screens that unveil a large tablet-style display, sparking excitement among tech enthusiasts. Rumors also suggest that Apple may introduce its first foldable iPhone next year, potentially further boosting the appeal of this technology.
However, despite the growing interest in foldables, a cautionary note comes from SellCell, a trade-in platform, revealing that these devices may experience faster depreciation in resale value compared to traditional smartphones. SellCell’s data indicates that foldable phones can lose up to 15.4% more value within the first six months post-launch.
The analysis further reveals that, on average, foldable devices depreciate by about 62.3% within six months, whereas non-foldable flagships see a lower depreciation rate of 49.8%. The disparity in short-term value retention between foldables and traditional smartphones is significant, with foldables losing around 12.5% more in value.
In the long run, after 18 months, foldables tend to lose approximately 71.1% of their value, while non-foldables depreciate by 60.7%, indicating a 10.4% higher depreciation rate for foldables.
Samsung appears to face the most significant challenge in terms of price drops, as per SellCell’s findings, with Samsung foldable devices experiencing a substantial 63.7% value decrease in the first six months compared to 48.3% for the standard Galaxy S series.
SellCell attributes the rapid depreciation of foldables to several factors, such as their novelty in the market, perceived reliability issues, repair complexities, and higher costs associated with fixing foldable screens. This makes second-hand foldable models less appealing for resale or trade-ins compared to traditional smartphones, which are regarded as more reliable, easier to repair, and have a more stable resale market.
While foldables represent the future of technology, they are still in the early stages of adoption in terms of value retention. Therefore, while foldables may offer exciting features, consumers should be mindful that their resale value might not hold up as well as traditional smartphones.
In conclusion, the allure of foldable smartphones comes with a caveat: while they may be cutting-edge and visually striking, their resale value may diminish quicker than that of traditional smartphones.