5 Smartphones With The Best Resale Value In 2026 - bgr.com

What the report says

BGR reports that smartphone resale value has become a more important consideration for buyers and frequent upgraders in mid-2026, as new-device prices have risen amid what the outlet describes as an ongoing memory and storage crunch. The article frames resale value as the amount a handset has depreciated from its launch price and says shoppers may want to check used-market listings before deciding whether to buy new, trade in, or purchase secondhand.

Based on Swappa listings cited by BGR, Apple models dominate the top resale performers included in the supplied article text. The iPhone 17 Pro is listed as retaining about 98.73% of its $1,099 retail price for the unlocked 256 GB version, while the iPhone 17 Pro Max retains about 97.83% against its $1,199 starting price. BGR notes that higher average prices across all Pro Max listings reflect larger storage options, including configurations above the base model.

BGR also highlights the iPhone 17e, Apple’s lower-cost model, as retaining 96.66% of its value for the unlocked 256 GB version, or 91.82% when all listed versions are averaged. The outlet points to upgrades such as 256 GB base storage, MagSafe support and Apple’s A19 chip as context for its used-market strength.

The only Android handset detailed in the supplied text is Samsung’s Galaxy S26. BGR says the unlocked 256 GB model retains 88.9% of its $899.99 launch price, though the average across listings drops to 75%. The article says upcoming 2026 launches from Google, Samsung and Apple could make these resale comparisons especially relevant for buyers planning upgrades.