Android Phone Resale Value

[lordofthereef]

I just got to thinking about resale value of Android phones. I have been with the iPhone since launch, and the resale value is always incredible. I always sell the "old" model a few weeks before the next one is getting announced and end up making money on the deal all while upgrading to the latest hadset. This has a fresh new phone in my hands every 365 (or so) days. So how well do android phones hold their value? I feel like they wouldn't be as good since the market is pretty saturated (and we have multiple new phones coming out every month). How bad does it look for a person who likes getting that shiny new toy every year?

 

[Texter]

A very good question. IMO if you stick with very popular models (Droid X, Incredible, G2, etc) the resale at 1 year will be very good. iphones will probably always hold a higher percentage in the used market though, again IMO.

 

[dan330]

hhhhmmm true.. iphone resale would be higher...

but if you are willing to jump from ATT to cheaper carriers..
like sprint or tmobile for an android phone....

you could save in your monthly bill.. anywhere from $20 to $30 per month... which translates to $240 to $360 per year.

so.. selling a 1 yr old top of the line phone.. should net $200..
plus the $240 carrier savings... total = $440.

 

[lordofthereef]

We would be saving far more with Sprint... I got the hook ups for an "all you can eat" plan at $20/mo plus taxes and fees. Will end up being a couple bucks shy of $30/mo I would expect. That is a good way to look at it that I hadn't really considered. It's always easier to pay that monthly bill than fork over $500 for a new phone though, especially if the old phone didn't sell for much! ;P

 

[saxologist]

hhhhmmm true.. iphone resale would be higher...

but if you are willing to jump from ATT to cheaper carriers..
like sprint or tmobile for an android phone....

you could save in your monthly bill.. anywhere from $20 to $30 per month... which translates to $240 to $360 per year.

so.. selling a 1 yr old top of the line phone.. should net $200..
plus the $240 carrier savings... total = $440.

I agree. I buy used apple computers and new sprint phones...it works for me.

 

[Exspyguy]

I just got to thinking about resale value of Android phones. I have been with the iPhone since launch, and the resale value is always incredible. I always sell the "old" model a few weeks before the next one is getting announced and end up making money on the deal all while upgrading to the latest hadset. This has a fresh new phone in my hands every 365 (or so) days. So how well do android phones hold their value? I feel like they wouldn't be as good since the market is pretty saturated (and we have multiple new phones coming out every month). How bad does it look for a person who likes getting that shiny new toy every year?

i think people selling their old sets are silly.

Some dude was pawning off his 3G for $250 when i4 rolled, because it was unlocked....and successfully sold it, and bought an i4 for 199.

people will buy anything when they perceive it as a deal.

if you were going to resell your droid, how are you going to compete with best buy who is selling them for one dollar in the box....other than no contract?

usually a developer needs handsets, but people like that will take pawned iphones because they know they wont be using them for anything but testing.

I have kept my 3G, and 3Gs for those reasons....and they make great toys for the kids.

 

[lordofthereef]

i think people selling their old sets are silly.

Some dude was pawning off his 3G for $250 when i4 rolled, because it was unlocked....and successfully sold it, and bought an i4 for 199.

people will buy anything when they perceive it as a deal.

if you were going to resell your droid, how are you going to compete with best buy who is selling them for one dollar in the box....other than no contract?

usually a developer needs handsets, but people like that will take pawned iphones because they know they wont be using them for anything but testing.

I have kept my 3G, and 3Gs for those reasons....and they make great toys for the kids.

I am a bit confused as to why I am perceived as silly for selling a phone that I could get more for than I paid for it? In any case, you will always find someone who wants to buy just the phone without the contract. THAT is where the market for the iphone resale is as well. Best Buy may have a phone for $1, but there is that 2 year burden that comes along with it.

 

[Texter]

Remember guys, 2 years is a VERY long time in this changing market.

 

[Demache]

i think people selling their old sets are silly.

Some dude was pawning off his 3G for $250 when i4 rolled, because it was unlocked....and successfully sold it, and bought an i4 for 199.

people will buy anything when they perceive it as a deal.

if you were going to resell your droid, how are you going to compete with best buy who is selling them for one dollar in the box....other than no contract?

usually a developer needs handsets, but people like that will take pawned iphones because they know they wont be using them for anything but testing.

I have kept my 3G, and 3Gs for those reasons....and they make great toys for the kids.

That's the only reason people buy phones off contract. It to upgrade at a cheaper price than retail.

 

[Exspyguy]

I am a bit confused as to why I am perceived as silly for selling a phone that I could get more for than I paid for it? In any case, you will always find someone who wants to buy just the phone without the contract. THAT is where the market for the iphone resale is as well. Best Buy may have a phone for $1, but there is that 2 year burden that comes along with it.

please try not to take things personal or get defensive.

I was specifically talking about the person whom i described in my post, not you.

my point was, the perceived value of a 2 year old handset. The unit itself is simply a means to deploy service and content. The bill of materials cost of a phone is say $200, and 2 years later (forever in tech evolution time) people will still buy them for $200.

thats all i was saying.

I would rather buy a brand new i4 at $600 dollars without a service contract, than buy a 2 year old 3G for $200 if my priority was a handset without service.