Think About It: Why Do Apple Phones Retain Their Value?

My sister recently upgraded her phone and delegated her iPhone 14 Pro Max to me (yay, a flipping upgrade). She basically got herself a device from 2025, while I got an “upgrade” that was released back in 2022. But here’s the thing, I wasn’t even mad. In fact, I was pumped. The phone still looked good, ran great, and felt modern thanks to its dynamic island. Plus, I got all her phone cases. But it still made me wonder: why do iPhones retain their value so well, even years after release?

The first thing that comes to mind is “quality”. Apple’s hardware quality is built to last. Whether or not you’re a fan, you have to admit their build quality is top-tier. Compare that to some other brands that get scratched or start to feel “off” within the first year and a half. 

From Chuber Challenge Official GIPHY

The other thing is software support. iPhones receive updates for 5 to 6 years, sometimes longer. That means your older iPhone doesn’t just work; it gets new features and doesn’t feel like a relic in your hand. For context, the iPhone 8, released in 2017, was still getting major iOS updates as of late 2023. Now that’s a respectable amount of support. 

Brand perception is also important. Apple peeps know how to sell, not a product, but a lifestyle. It’s not just a phone—it’s a status symbol and a great productivity tool. I love my computer, I love gaming and recording on it, but when it comes to working, I stand up and grab my MacBook. This makes older models more desirable on the second-hand market. When you compare sales of older Android phones, you may find it harder. But if you sell a decent iPhone, you may still have some takers.  

From Apple Official Website

And last, but not least—the Ecosystem. Once you’re in, you’re in. AirPods, Apple Watch, MacBooks, iCloud—everything just works really well together. If your phone still fits into that structure flawlessly after a few years, there’s no need to replace it. It still plays its part.

Apple plays the long game, they don’t pump out a dozen models a year as compared to their competitors. Each release is intentional and spaced out, that makes each model feel more “premium” and less disposable. So even when a new iPhone comes out, the previous generation still holds its own—people even tend to jump on the older generation because of the price reduction. 

Courtesy Next Upgrade

So yeah, maybe I didn’t get the newest model, but I definitely didn’t get a downgrade. If you want to grab yourself an iPhone or even get some tech from the ecosystem, you can check them out in our Next Upgrade Shop.