Mobility
Apple iPhone Ultra: Will waiting for the second-hand market be the real bargain?
26.06.2026 • 14h14
As rumors intensify around the launch of Apple's first foldable smartphone, a recent comparative study has thrown a wrench into the economic works of the sector. According to the specialized portal SellCell, foldable devices depreciate much faster than traditional models on the second-hand market. This significant trend could encourage prospective buyers of the hypothetical iPhone Ultra to wait twelve months to acquire this coveted device at a bargain price.
According to a recent analysis conducted by the comparison website SellCell over a 12-month period on several smartphone models from Apple, Samsung, Google, Motorola, and OnePlus, foldable devices depreciate more on the used market than fixed-screen models. Specifically, foldable smartphones lose an average of 64.6% of their value in one year, compared to only 55.3% for traditional phones. In terms of value, a foldable model loses approximately $998 in one year, compared to approximately $606 for non-foldable models. For example, assuming the iPhone Ultra retails for €2,000, it would cost only €708 used a year later, representing a depreciation of €1,292. SellCell notes, however, that Apple models tend to depreciate less than their competitors, and that taking this factor into account, the iPhone Ultra would only lose about half its price.
