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Used Galaxy Phones: Your Cash or Their Convenience?
27 Oct
Summary
- Direct sales offer $113 more than buyback offers for phones.
- Galaxy S24 Ultra cash offers are up to $449, average sales $600.
- Newer Galaxies get 7 years of software support, older ones less.
Selling older Samsung Galaxy phones presents a significant difference between direct consumer sales and company buyback offers. For example, a Galaxy S23 Ultra could command an average of $481 in a private sale, whereas a cash buyback offer might only reach $291, a $113 disparity. This gap highlights the premium placed on convenience versus maximizing profit.
Models like the Galaxy S24 Ultra are currently attracting top cash offers up to $449, with average sales reaching $600 as of October 23, 2026. However, prospective sellers should also weigh the ongoing software support. The S24 series is slated for seven years of OS and security updates, extending support into early 2031. In contrast, the S23 series is expected to receive security patches until early 2028, and the S22 series until early 2027.
Foldable devices like the Galaxy Z Fold6 also see substantial depreciation, with a $1,900 launch price in 2024 yielding a $512 cash offer and a $657 average sale price. Selling directly to consumers on platforms like Swappa can yield more money but requires sellers to manage listings and shipping. Buyback sites and trade-in programs offer convenience but at a lower financial return.
