iPhone 12 Depreciates Less Than iPhone 11, Study Finds

iPhone 12 models have held their value better than iPhone 11 models did after the same amount of time, according to a new report by SellCell.

iPhone 12 Layout Feature
During the six months following launch, the ‌iPhone 12‌ models lost on average 34.5 percent of their value, while during the same period after the launch of the ‌iPhone‌ 11 lineup, ‌iPhone‌ 11 models lost 43.8 percent of their value. This means that ‌iPhone 12‌ models are currently holding their value 9.3 percentage points better than the ‌iPhone‌ 11 models did during the six months after launch.

Although the launch of the ‌iPhone 12‌ prompted the ‌iPhone‌ 11 models to lose eight percent of their value in three months and ten percent of their value within nine months, the ‌iPhone‌ 11 models are now steadying in their depreciation.

Out of the ‌iPhone‌ 11, ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, and iPhone 11 Pro Max, the ‌iPhone‌ 11 has depreciated the least with a loss of only 31.7 percent, despite being the least expensive model. This is 17.5 percent less depreciation than the ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro and nine percent less depreciation than the average across all three handsets.

iphone 11 depreciation sellcell
Throughout the 21 months since its launch, the ‌iPhone‌ 11 still performed best, having lost 49.1 percent of its value overall. The ‌iPhone‌ 11 Pro, on the other hand, was the worst performer, losing 56.9 percent of its value in the 21 months since its launch.

In the ‌iPhone 12‌ lineup, the iPhone 12 mini depreciated the most, losing 41 percent of its value after six months. This is almost nine percent more depreciation on average than the other devices evaluated, perhaps indicating reduced demand. Even so, each of the ‌iPhone 12‌ models recovered value. The iPhone 12 Pro Max lost 49.2 percent in month one, but by month six, the handset recovered 20.3 percent of its MSRP.

iphone 12 depreciation sellcell
Overall, both the ‌iPhone‌ 11 and ‌iPhone 12‌ series of devices lost 40 to 50 percent of their value within the first four weeks of launch on average. The ‌iPhone‌ is still by far the best smartphone for value retention regardless of the exact model. For example, a previous study has shown the ‌iPhone 12‌ holds its value 20 percent better than the Samsung Galaxy S21.

Related Roundup: iPhone 12
Related Forum: iPhone

Top Rated Comments

MacLawyer Avatar
22 months ago
Another happy iPhone 12 mini owner here. ?
Score: 13 Votes (Like | Disagree)
MrMacintoshIII Avatar
22 months ago
Excellent news for when I sell my 12 Pro for a 13 mini.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Just sayin... Avatar
22 months ago
I believe the 12 is holding its’ value more than the 11 did earlier because of a number of factors: chip shortage supply constraints and an increased post-lockdown demand surge. Either way, when the 13 comes out, I‘m upgrading and giving my 12 Pro Max to DW. Her 11 goes to son & DIL…
Score: 8 Votes (Like | Disagree)
ghanwani Avatar
22 months ago
This probably has to do with the falling dollar and everything going up in price. Have you looked at the used car market lately? iPhone 11 has likely lost less value than iPhone XR did a year ago, and so on.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Return Zero Avatar
22 months ago
Yeah this is not surprising at all... OLED, 5G, Ceramic Shield, definitely going to be seen as more future proof than the 11 at equivalent times of purchase.
Score: 6 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Skika Avatar
22 months ago
Because of the redesign.
Score: 5 Votes (Like | Disagree)

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