If you're the type to sell one phone to help pay for another, you've got some research to do.
We know there's something big right around the corner from Samsung. In fact, there's a good bet we're actually going to see three somethings. Chances are more than a few of you are waiting to see if the Samsung Galaxy S7 is going to be your next phone, and a big part of that wait is deciding the best time to sell your current phone to help offset the cost. Choosing when and how to sell your phone is a big deal, especially when you consider you're not the only person having that idea.
To get a better idea of how well big brand phones have sold in the past as a new phone neared release, we sat down with folks from Swappa and eBay to get an idea of what to expect as we get closer to the announcement of Samsung's next phones.
In order to better understand the way phones are sold on services like Swappa and eBay, you have to first accept that there's a whole lot of people out there who aren't rushing out on day one to purchase the latest and greatest from any one manufacturer. The secondhand market is filled with thrifty folks who know the price of a gently used Galaxy S6 is going to come down when the Galaxy S7 is released. Since that's still a great phone, there's no sense in spending top dollar for the latest when you can get the previous generation for a much more reasonable price.
Knowing that, it isn't surprising to see that the first thing Swappa noticed when the Galaxy S6 was announced was a drop in sales. Much in the same way early adopters are waiting with baited breath for the Next Big Thing, secondhand shoppers know the price of the current generation will come down as users try to sell their hardware quickly to offset the cost of the new phone. More people selling at the same time means competitive pricing, and that's exactly what Swappa saw with the Galaxy S6 launch. According to their tracking, Galaxy S5 sales increased by 30.87 percent while the average sale price dropped by 6.86 percent during the month Samsung first started shipping the Galaxy S6 to their new owners.
Both Swappa and eBay agree that the best time to sell your phone is before the new one arrives.
That's what happens when you sell in an environment filled with enthusiasts and early adopters. When looking at eBay's figures, things are a little different. According to eBay, Galaxy S5 sales increased by 65 percent in the 10 days following the Mobile World Congress announcement, and with that increase in sale volume came an average sale price increase of 30 percent. This bubble quickly burst and the sale price continued to drop after those initial 10 days, but it shows a clear difference between the way users are shopping and selling on the two services. People looking to buy a phone on eBay went looking as soon as the new phone was announced, while those looking for the best deal on their year-old phone waited a bit and hit up Swappa.
The big downside to selling your phone on eBay the day of the Galaxy S7 announcement is not having another phone to use until the new phone has arrived. Both Swappa and eBay agree that the best time to sell your phone is before the new one arrives, as the average sale price of your current phone will continue to decrease from now until release of the new phone. Swappa's data reflects a drop of 2-7 percent from the previous month just about every month a major phone like the Galaxy S6 is on Swappa, with some obvious fluctuations when other major phones are announced and users jump ship either to the Samsung Galaxy Note line or away from Samsung to something else entirely.
So when is the best time to sell your phone to offset the cost of the Galaxy S7? It really all depends on you. If your goal is to make the most money on your sale, you want to sell as soon as possible. You could wait until the announcement and try to take advantage of another eBay bubble, or take a look at what is available on Swappa right now and position yourself for a decent sale before the announcement. If you'd rather wait until the new phone is on your front porch or you'd rather try your luck with one of the trade-in programs from the carriers, you obviously want to wait. Either way, it's well worth keeping an eye on those sale prices to position yourself in the best possible place to make some cash.
Reader comments
Galaxy S7 prep — when is the best time to sell your current phone?
I was merely pointing out the pro's and cons of the purchase.I was in Vodafone mobile Managment for years and the mess customers get themselves in for the sake of a new phone with a new app that they'll never use still makes me want to scream out that it's just a phone! You wanted to know when in its LIFETIME was the best time to sell it. I thought you were making a last minute impulse buy.good luck with your new phone.
Buying flagship phones and keeping them for a number of years seems like a bad idea. Charging ports, batteries, buttons\switches, all wear out over time. Not to mention damage that builds up due to dropping, dirt,and general nasty funk from everyday usage. Buy the $100 -$200 phone with as new an OS as you can. Use it for a year and then look for the next one in that category. Don' need a case or insurance. It's amazing how good the cheap phones are these days!!
When you can afford a new one!!
I have a Note 5 and plan on upgrading it on T-Mobile's Jump program. Just so much easier for me to go to the T-Mobile store, pick out a new phone and trade the old one in. I will be skipping the S7 and waiting for the Note 6.
Posted via the Android Central App
I have become very good at selling phones on eBay. I have sold dozens. As anyone on here that see's my comments knows, I buy last years flagships. I don't buy the latest. So I am the guy on the other side of this article. I love you early adopters!
Everytime a new phone comes out that is super popular, the marketing hype drives people to buy the previous model as well. So prices jump. Using the S6 as an example. If that was last years flagship I was after, I would wait until 1 month after the S7 was released to buy a used S6. Maybe even two.The prices will be lower then before it was released and after the hype. The other factor that drives down the price quickly after a new device gets released is the resale people who get all the trade ins. They dump that on ebay as well.
There are other factors as well not mentioned. If the S7 is wildly popular, there may be a short supply. That will make the S6 hold up its used prices much longer. Some phones don't get effected like others. LG phones get deep discounts on the outgoing models, so the used market takes an even bigger hit. The Notes are always popular and the prices rarely come down quick on used phones, even after the new model. They are a great investment. A lot depends on which phone model, popularity of the new model, bugs or problems. You get the picture.
What's the hype for new phones? Still have my trusty galaxy nexus as my main phone. Custom roms n kernels prolong the life of any phone greatly.
I'm sitting this round out as my S6 Active does what I need it to do. When it was released, the retail was a little over $700. Within months, the Swappa prices were averaging around $350. Maybe next year I'll find a gently used S7 Active for $350ish.
Getting the galaxy s7+ but im keeping both my s5, s ... ive waited 2 years after this ill at least wait another 2. And yea im a samsung fanboy sue me.
Posted via the Android Central App
My S5 runs like a dream. The last couple of days I've been trying new VR content on my Carl Zeiss VR one. It's amazing. Looks great. Plays fantastic. And with my Dualshock 3, it's the perfect smartphone rig - my phone still provides awesome experiences. And makes calls :)
Posted via the Android Central App
My brother still has a Galaxy S3, which does everything, albeit with lag.
Posted via the Android Central App
I have no complaints with my note 3, only reason I got a nexus 6P was for a dependable fingerprint unlock and latest updates. High specs don't matter like they used to, features I want do.
Posted via the Android Central App
Wait for Nokia.
Normally I would just waiting for Anandtech to review it and to see how great camera is.
Posted via the Android Central App
When it comes to selling phones I'm craigslist all the way. When the s4 came out,I sold a partly cracked s3 for literally 200 bucks and then bought a used s4 for 300 which of course is a big deal considering the regular price at the time.
Posted via the Android Central App
I was able to sell my 64GB Nexus 6 yesterday on Swappa for $360.
Very surprised to get what I was asking for it, but another reason I love the site. So much easier, and cheaper to me than eBay.
Posted via the Android Central App
These type of websites and apps would really hate me. I buy a phone and I use it for everything for as long as it works and still is supported. My Droid Incredible lasted me 2 and a half years. My Galaxy S III lasted over 3 and a half years. Now, I am on my Galaxy Note Edge since April. Almost a year. I don't see why I have to get the next iteration of that phone when the one that I have works great for me. But that's just me. The market for phones explodes at this same time every year. And if you are in the market for a new phone, these sites like Swappa and Gazelle seem to really get the sales for used phones.
Posted From my Verizon Galaxy Note Edge via the Android Central App... And Don't Eat The Yellow Snow!
No more buying phones for me for a while. Just kind of toned down on the 'gotta get the latest phone' craze. Used to get phones every 4-6 months it seems, sometimes more than one. My current phone seems to last well enough, does the job and seems fairly tough, good camera etc. Weird to have a smaller screen again, but I've gotten used to it, and actually enjoy it now. I probably won't get another phone until the S9, Note 7, or even S10 comes out maybe. Might even send it in if the battery ever starts to go bad one day and have it replaced by Samsung.
Posted via the GS6 Active, aka GS6 M.E. (Manly Edition)
I usually get the new model, hang onto the previous as backup and give away the last backup to some friend who can't afford a flagship phone...
It all depends on how do you buy them. If on contract, the best time is every year, when you are actually eligible for an upgrade, so you basically get a new phone for free - at least it worked for me on my second line (wife's) for 5 years now. Last one was Note 4, where I sold it for 350$ and then got the V10 for 50$ :) whereas in 2014 used Note 3 was sold for the same amount as Note 4 was upon release.
But more of an issue is my line, where I have no upgrades (unless i wanna drop unlimited data) and really don't wanna spend money like crazy. So, I buy a phone when on a special discount (mine was 350) and use it until it really stops working properly (2 yrs min) and then look for some price cuts on the phone I really like (almost got the X PE 32gb 4 350$ on that one day sale on Amazon). At that point I don't care if I'm gonna sell the old phone at all, unless there is a special trade in offer or something.
via AC App on
VZW Moto X DE/N7
I'm selling my note5 and getting ready for the new phones, can't wait to see what HTC, Samsung and LG bring to the table this year.
Posted via the Android Central App
What's wrong with your Note 5.
Posted via the Android Central App
Nothing at all..just want to change it up
Posted via the Android Central App
I'm excited too, mostly for the M10 as I need to replace my S4 (work phone). I was also excited this time last year, wanted to replace my Nexus 4 also. I was let down by the M9 (boring design, inferior camera), S6 (small battery), G4 (software) and One Plus (invite, no quick charge) and only ended up replacing my Nexus with the 6p ... hopefully 2016 will treat us better. A larger battery is mandatory and I need USB-C so I don't have to use two different types of chargers. If the M10 or S7 (G5 would have to have major software improvements, I'm done with One+) fall short I'll grab another 6p, which I'm actually tempted to do but would prefer some variety as I tend to hold onto my phones for awhile.
Personally, unless it works really well for you, the potentially larger battery might be the one kicker for many people to upgrade.
That is, unless, as mentioned earlier, the S6 as a whole works fine for you, which in that case, you don't need to upgrade.
Mmmmm, Android Smores....
Talk about a slow news day.
Posted via the Android Central App
This article could have been summarized: "When should you sell your current phone? I don't know, whenever you want to I guess. Apparently lots of people do just that on Ebay and Swappa. Android rules!"
yeah until the S7 and M10 launch we're gonna see these type of articles. then people will complain that it's "Samsung Central" around here ... same people that called it "Nexus Central" a few months ago!
Smartphone sales where bound to slow down "over saturation" , it happened to the PC industry, and the TV industry, for what people use their smartphones on a daily basis, today's, even two year old devices will do the job just fine. Even Apple has forecasted a slow down in iPhone sales. http://bloom.bg/1QAfm9U
Posted via the Android Central App
Only when new nexus's are released. That's really the only time to sell and repurchase ...
Posted via the Android Central App
According to these posts, looks like a bad year for new releases and phone manufacturers generally.
Not sure that's a fair assessment given that the AC crowd is just a fraction of their customer base. I'm sure there are millions of S3/S4/etc owners ready to upgrade this year.
I might even sell my note 5 lol...
The S7 is going to have to be mind blowing, earth shattering and revolutionary on order for me to upgrade. My S6 and Nexus 6 are holding it down just fine.
Dam It Feels Good To Be A Google Gangster
I'm not the conspiracy theorist type, but I agree with the planned obsolescence. It's really not far fetched, just like the removal of SD in favor of storage tiers was to generate revenue, not that BS Samsung tried saying. Nothing wrong with either tactic, that's just business, and hopefully people are well aware of it before making whatever purchase they make. I planned to get the M9, passed and waited for the S6, passed and wasn't until the 6p that I settled. Reason being, you guessed it, battery. Now I NEED to replace my work phone (S4) so I'm hoping the S7 or M10 will work out. I keep my phone a solid 2-3 years, and just didn't feel good about signing up for a sealed 2600 mAh battery. If I can get that SD card back this year, plus the larger battery I'll be pretty happy. Throw in USB-C, so I don't have to use a different charger from my 6p and I'll be very happy. Give me force touch on top of it all and I'll be first in line ready to preorder.
Agreed, especially about Samsung miscalculating their loyal group of followers. Apple is on an island all by themselves in that department. People like Android, and we all have our specific OEM we might enjoy, but Samsung failed to realize that a lot of their customers won't hesitate to jump ship if they find a better device. Albeit a small group, I actually think Nexus has the most loyal group of followers amongst Android users (obviously a percentage).
And I didn't mean to come across like I was calling you out as a conspiracy theorist it anything. That was just a separate observation and statement, wasn't trying to insinuate you thought Samsung's sales tactics were unethical.
Yeah I understand but I'm not going to be forced or tricked into buying another phone just because. Thankfully for now I have a job where I can charge up whenever I need to. I will make this S6 work for a good two years.
Dam It Feels Good To Be A Google Gangster
If he is getting 70% after HOURS of moderate use on his S6, I say he is doing pretty good I Unplug aroung 6:30 AM and after checking emails in the morning, I am at 80% before I walk out the door at 7:15 AM. By 1PM, I need to plug in!!.
My s6 battery easily gets me through a day no matter what I throw at it light use gets me even more that's one aspect I certainly can't complain of is the battery. Seem to hear this battery problem with the s6 so happy that I don't have these problems that others do.
Posted via the Android Central App
If you have to sell one phone to get help to pay for a new one you've got bigger financial issues and probably need to evaluate your priorities.
Personally, even in the tightest of financial situations, I always keep my current phone as a backup while setting myself up (either through saving or planning to pay off the credit card the next month to avoid finance charges) for a new one. After getting the new one I still keep the old one indefinitely (as a backup) and eventually donate it or submit it to my local Best Buy for recycling.
Whilst I'm sure some people do I don't think the majority of people selling a phone to help fund a new one are doing so out of necessity. I've actually just kept an old phone for the first time but in the past I've always sold the one that's being replaced. I could have got a new phone without doing this but 1. I only really need one phone and 2. However much money you've got I can see the appeal in paying £400 for a new gadget over £600!
Posted on LG V10 via the Android Central App
For someone who's so eager to give financial advice to strangers on a tech blog, keeping a several hundred dollar device as a backup is not the best idea...especially "in the tightest of financial situations." That's like holding onto stock that you KNOW is going to drop...it's throwing money out the window. Sell your old phone when you can get maximum value and put it towards the new one or put the cash in the bank to be used in the off-chance you need to buy a backup.
Good point. I should've been more clear in my original post as like bhatech mentions below, I'm coming at it from the perspective of buying a new phone once every few years where the old phone has more value to me as a backup than what I'd get by selling it.
Ah, I see...that makes more sense. Though most flagships will still be able to get around $200 after a couple of years. I guess I would just rather have that money in the bank rather than sitting in a drawer withering away in value, but I can see your point.
Lot of people do like buying every flagship that's released so makes sense selling old one which is few months old and buy the new one. Scenario you say probably is fine if you are buying a phone once every few years.
Or just wait till the real Samsung flagships come out. Note 6 and S7 Edge plus hopefully
Posted via the Android Central App
S7 edge+ should be releasing same time as the rest of their S7 series of phones.
The Notes are the only Samsung phones worth looking at though.
You realize the S6+ is the same device as the Note 5 & is on the same cycle?
No way Samsung has a less than 6 month lifespan on a flagship phone.
Posted via the Android Central App
I like selling on Swappa. They make things easy and its safe as well. I've sold my first gen Moto X, my Nexus 6 and my first gen Moto 360 on Swappa. I'll more than likely sell my Moto X Pure Edition on Swappa when I am ready to get a new phone.
How do you like your moto x pure phone? I have the S6 edge and was thinking of switching. I found out don't like the bloat ware that comes with Samsung.
Posted via the Android Central App
If you're looking to escape bloat then the moto pure is your best answer, short of going straight to the 6P
I owned both for a couple months and the 6P won out, but not by much.
Posted via the Android Central App
My Note 5 (T-Mobile) is all paid off. That gives me the option to sell it or just hold on to it, depending on how the S7/G5 announcements turn out. I may end up holding out for the next Note.
Posted via the Android Central App
I buy and sell a lot of used phones. All of the Samsung Notes hold their value very well. If you like Notes and buy new ones, you don't take the hit everyone else does, especially if you take care of them. Kind of like iPhones. LG is the worst investment. Which is why I buy them used for myself. The value on the used market is fantastic for what you get.
I'm sticking with my s6 perfectly functioning phone.
Posted via the Android Central App
I think at least 2 to 4 months before the new one arrives but honestly they don't sell for much to warrant the effort. I usually just sell mines whenever I feel like it.
When it no longer is able to get the tasks done that you need done on a daily basis, as of this moment my Nexus 6 and Note 4 are able to do everything I ask of them just fine.
Posted via the Android Central App
Yup. My days of chasing the newest are over. Going to use this Note 5 until it doesn't work anymore. Whether that is a year or 4. I'm at the "enough is enough" stage in my life.
Posted via the Android Central App
I second that
Posted via the mighty Nexus 6P
I feel the same way and while I think part of it is reaching a certain stage I think it's more than that. Going back a few years technology in phones was moving so quickly by the time you came to get a new one things had moved on massively. Now you might get a faster processor or more RAM but if your 2 year old phone is still doing everything you want as quickly and as well as you need it to its hard to justify a new phone.
Posted on LG V10 via the Android Central App
Right on point, phone technology jumped leaps and bounds every year from about 2005 till 2014. So 2 years was way behind. Now 2 years is not as big of a deal.
Posted via the Android Central App
I agree. 2 year old phones now generally have near the latest OS on them and are still working fine.
I used to buy and sell so that I could try every new phone on the market. I am done with that.
I just sold my Note 5. Going iPhones 6S+ for a while. I will upgrade to the Note 6 or iPhone 7 and won't care what comes out in between those two options. They are both my two favorite phones.
Doing Next 12 with 30% down makes it where I can just trade in and grab a new one and I don't have to deal with online or local device selling any more. Once a year is still more than enough. I may start keeping phones for 2 years.
so you went Note 5 to iPhone 6s+ and now you're already talking about getting the Note 6 or iPhone 7, but in the same breath you say you'll keep your phones for 2 years? lol ... face it, you're addicted, just enjoy your new phone every 6-12 months!
More RAM alone would sell me an S7 as long as a Gear VR headset compatible with the S7 is available. I was only able to get a 64GB S6, which fills up really fast with VR apps and 360 movies. I wish the Note 5 had included a slot for SD cards. VR on a phone with no SD card is a hassle.
Same here with my Note 4, which I plan to keep for the foreseeable future unless the Note 6 has something compelling enough to be temping. :)
Agreed. Note5 is my last for a long while I hope.
Posted via the Android Central App
Same here
via AC App on
VZW Moto X DE/N7
Same here with the LG G4
I would echo that if device support from manfacturers wasn't so spotty at best and abysmal at worst. I wouldn't even mind an increase in upfront price to get guaranteed updates. Or, barring that, paying for upgrades.
edit: And if we could get a handle on memory management and space. Really, I just want my project ara phone yesterday.
yup, just replaced my Nexus 4 with 6p and will hopefully replace my S4 (work) with S7 or M10. I only have so much to put toward electronics every year, so if I get a MacBook, PS4 or a couple Bluetooth speakers, I'm not getting a new phone too.
What kind of job do you have to be able to get all these devices every year?
I sort of agree with you....
BUT there actually is an optimal time monetarily to sell your phone and buy a new one, especially if you take into account a realistic lifespan for your current phone. This is because used phone values do not drop linearly. Your phone will retain most of its value for the first 6 months or so. But there is a point when your phone's value will fall off a cliff based on release cycles and other factors. Optimally, you sell your phone and buy a new one before you hit that cliff. Doing this minimizes your total cost of phone ownership/year.
I'm at the same place with my HTC One M7. It still runs fast enough, lasts long enough, and has enough space for everything I use it for. I enjoyed the first two years with it and hope to get at least another one out of it.
I'm selling my G4 for a V10 and then I think I'll hang up my hat for a while.
Sent from my LG G4
I've had both, and was a Beta Tester for the G4 (which was a huge failure for LG, as it didn't incentifize sales people like Samsung did).
The G4 had a lot of issues, I had four of them, 3 of them free.
I upgraded to the V10, but there are still significant issues with the device. Battery life, display, Wi-Fi issues.
I'd honestly look at the Priv or a S6+.
Posted via the Android Central App
Yep I have a One M7 as well. Minus mine having the terrible purple haze with the camera, the phone is still working great. The only caveat is HTC leaving us behind for updates now...so I suspect eventually a security bug will leave me with needing to update to something more current.