Samsung Smartphone Prices Vary Widely Depending on Sale Method

The value of older Samsung smartphones has been revealed to be surprisingly variable, depending on whether you opt for a quick cash offer or try to sell it privately.

A like-new 256GB Galaxy S23 Ultra model, released in February 2023 at a price of $1,199.99, can fetch around $291 from a buyback site and an average sale price of $404 on Swappa by October 23, 2026. This leaves a gap of $113 before fees for those willing to handle the sale process themselves.

There are three main ways to get cash for your old phone: selling to a buyback site, trading it in with Samsung, or directly selling to another consumer. Buyback sites and trading in offer convenience, providing online quotes and prepaid shipping labels, but come with lower payouts since they need to make a profit.

The convenience factor seems to come at a cost, as direct sales often yield more money, but involve dealing with logistics such as taking photos and shipping the device.

As Samsung's latest flagships continue to rise in price - the Galaxy S26 Ultra now starts at $1,399.99 in the US - buying used may become an increasingly attractive option for those on a budget.

The prices of older Samsung phones have been declining steadily as newer models emerge. Despite its advanced features and high-end storage capacity, the Galaxy S20 Ultra (128GB) can now be sold for a top cash offer of $136. This is quite surprising, considering it has half the storage of newer models like the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

Interestingly, even though the prices of used phones have dropped significantly, there are still some buyers looking to purchase these devices at decent prices. The Galaxy Z Fold6 (256GB), which was initially priced at $1,900 in 2024, is now being quoted at a top cash offer of $512. This represents a substantial decrease from its original price.

The Galaxy Z Flip6 (256GB) has also seen its price drop to $278. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S21 Ultra (256GB) can be sold for a top cash offer of $136. These prices are not guaranteed payouts but rather the highest offers available through various online marketplaces and comparison websites.

Selling directly to an individual through platforms like Swappa can yield better results than trading in with a company or selling through a marketplace. According to October pricing data from Swappa, the Galaxy S24 Ultra averaged $600, while the Z Fold6 averaged $657. However, it is unclear what time frame these averages are based on.

When considering the resale value of an older Samsung Galaxy model, it's essential to factor in software support. The S24 series is designed to receive seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, which should extend into early 2031.

This level of support contrasts with previous models like the S23 series, which are expected to continue receiving security patches until early 2028. Meanwhile, the S22 series will likely receive quarterly security patches until the end of 2027, even though it has already been updated to its final major Android version.

For those looking to sell their used Samsung phone, several platforms offer varying options for determining a device's worth. SellCell allows users to compare cash offers from multiple sellers, while Back Market provides quotes from refurbishers and pays directly into the seller's bank account after inspection.

Back Market also sells refurbished Galaxy phones at significantly lower prices than what buyers are willing to pay for used devices. For those willing to handle the process themselves, Swappa enables direct sales to buyers, but comes with a three percent seller fee plus payment processing fees that reduce the payout.

Samsung's trade-in program offers credits towards a new device instead of cash, and the amount depends on what you're buying and any active promotions at checkout. This means that if you're purchasing a specific model or taking advantage of a particular offer, the credit value may be higher than usual.

The company also partners with Likewize to provide an alternative trade-in option, which issues prepaid digital gift cards rather than direct bank transfers. The promotional credits offered by Samsung can vary significantly over time, as seen in the example of the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, which was valued at $500 during preorders for the Galaxy S26 Ultra but dropped to $130 once it became available on March 11.