iPhone 17 models are retaining significantly more resale value than Samsung Galaxy S26 phones, with analysts suggesting that Apple Intelligence and new Siri features unveiled at WWDC 2026 may be contributing to the gap. According to secondhand phone marketplace data from mid-July 2026, iPhone 17 models retained between 87% and 89% of their original value after nearly a year on the market, while Samsung Galaxy S26 phones lost more than 30% of their value in less than six months.

Why Are iPhones Holding Their Value Better Than Samsung Phones?

The depreciation gap between Apple and Samsung devices has widened significantly in 2026. The iPhone 17 retained 87.47% of its $799 starting price, while the Galaxy S26 retained only 68% of its $899.99 starting price. The iPhone 17 Pro Max performed even better, retaining 89.49% of its value. Even the iPhone Air, which has seen weaker market reception than other iPhone 17 models, retained 70.97% of its value, still outpacing all Galaxy S26 variants.

Industry analysts point to several factors behind this trend. SellCell, a company that tracks the secondhand smartphone market, acknowledged that Apple's AI capabilities may play a role in iPhone value retention. The firm noted that Apple Intelligence and redesigned Siri features unveiled at WWDC 2026 for iOS 27, which will release in September 2026, have impressed early testers. This positive reception could be influencing buyer perception of iPhones as more future-proof devices.

How Do Software Updates and AI Features Influence Resale Value?

Long-term software support has historically been a key factor in smartphone resale value. Apple routinely provides iPhone owners five or six years of iOS updates, while Samsung has matched and even exceeded this commitment, introducing a pledge to provide seven years of major Android releases and security updates for high-end smartphones like the Galaxy S models. Despite Samsung's extended support promise, it has not yet improved the Galaxy S depreciation rate.

SellCell had previously projected that Galaxy S phones would match iPhone depreciation rates by mid-2026, but the popularity of the iPhone 17 series has defied those predictions. The firm acknowledged that the iPhone 17 series' strong market reception and future AI improvements could influence depreciation rates across the entire smartphone market. However, the sources do not establish a definitive causal link between Apple Intelligence and resale value; rather, analysts suggest it may be a contributing factor among multiple variables affecting buyer perception.

How to Maximize Your Smartphone's Resale Value

• Choose Devices with Strong Software Support: Phones that receive longer software update cycles tend to retain value better, as they remain relevant and secure for more years of use.
• Consider Total Cost of Ownership: Consumers who upgrade their phones every one to two years can recoup significantly more money from iPhone sales than Galaxy S sales, reducing the net cost of ownership over multiple upgrade cycles.
• Factor in AI Capabilities: Exclusive AI features and improvements announced at major product events may influence how quickly devices lose value in the secondhand market, making them worth considering during purchase decisions.
• Buy Used Flagship Devices Over Budget Models: Budget-conscious buyers can find used Galaxy S26 phones at steep discounts, sometimes offering better performance-per-dollar than cheaper Android alternatives, even if they depreciate faster than iPhones.

The data reveals a broader trend in the smartphone market: exclusive software features and AI capabilities are now demonstrably affecting how quickly devices lose value in the secondhand market. When buyers perceive that a phone will receive years of meaningful improvements and advanced features, they are willing to pay more for used models and hold onto them longer before upgrading.

For Samsung and other Android manufacturers, the challenge is becoming clearer. Matching Apple's software update timeline and adding more exclusive AI features may not be sufficient to close the resale value gap. The perception that iPhones receive more user-facing AI improvements appears to be influencing purchasing decisions in the secondhand market. As Apple continues to expand Apple Intelligence capabilities in iOS 27 and beyond, this resale value gap could widen further, making the total cost of iPhone ownership increasingly competitive compared to flagship Android devices, even at higher initial price points.