Apple's new foldable iPhone faces skepticism over resale value before launch

Apple's highly anticipated foldable iPhone, rumored for a September release, is already facing concerns about its long-term value. A report from resale platform SellCell suggests that foldable phones are the worst performers in terms of depreciation among smartphones. These devices lose an average of 64.6% of their value within a year of purchase, significantly higher than the 55% depreciation seen in traditional smartphones.

Given the typically higher price point of foldable devices, the monetary loss can be substantial. SellCell estimates that a foldable iPhone priced around $2,000 could lose approximately $1,292 in its first year, leaving it with a value of only about $708. This projection is based on current market trends for foldable phones.

However, the outlook may not be entirely bleak. iPhones have historically demonstrated strong resale value compared to other smartphones. For instance, the iPhone 16 Pro Max 256GB retains 56.4% of its value after a year. Even if a foldable iPhone falls between the depreciation rates of standard iPhones and current foldables, a first-year loss approaching $1,000 is still a realistic possibility. Potential buyers considering a "try it and sell it later" approach may need to reconsider their financial calculations.

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If you plan to buy it to try it, and sell it if you don't like it, you may have to face a reality: it may not be as valuable as you imagine.