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Table of Contents
Key Takeaways
- iPhone 15 trade-in values lead the market, with Pro models fetching up to $600–$650 at Apple Trade-In and around $500 in secondary markets.
- Galaxy S23 resale hovers near $380, roughly $120 below iPhone 15 in most channels.
- December timing matters: lock during holiday promos and ship before cutoffs to capture peak payouts before values dip.
- Battery health above 80% can unlock higher tiers; low battery scores often trigger automatic downgrades.
- iPhones hold value longer thanks to five-plus years of software updates, while most Android flagships see faster depreciation.
Fast value snapshot: iPhone 15 leads, Galaxy S23 trails
Let’s ground our plan with today’s numbers. iPhone 15 Pro trade-in values at Apple run up to $600, while the iPhone 15 Pro Max reaches up to $650—headline values reported for 2025 Apple Trade-In. In the secondary market, a used iPhone 15 sits around $500, and a used Galaxy S23 hovers near $380. That’s about a $120 gap in favor of iPhone.
This gap isn’t a fluke. It reflects deeper value patterns that have held through 2025—and understanding why can help you time your trade smarter.
Why iPhone 15 holds more value than Galaxy S23
Two big things push iPhone prices higher: software updates and buyer demand. Longer software support keeps iPhones useful for more years, so buyers pay more for phones that stay secure longer. iPhones get five or more years of iOS updates. Many Android phones see only about two major update years.
Depreciation data is clear. iPhone 15/16 Pro models keep over 70% of their value after a full year, while comparable Samsung phones fall faster. In past cycles, iPhone 14 Pro held about 65% after 18 months, while Galaxy S23 fell to around 45% by the same point. Even earlier models show the trend: Galaxy S22 lost 58.2% over nine months, and S23 sank 53.4% in the same time.
“iPhones usually hold on to more of their price for longer. That’s why iPhone trade-in offers often beat Samsung offers for similar-age phones.”
Holiday timing: Why trade-in quotes can swing this month
The U.S. trade-in market is hot this year. That boosts offers but also speeds up price changes. Trade-in values surged 60% year over year, hitting $1.34B in Q2 2025—the strongest second quarter on record. When the market is this active, prices react faster to new launches and promos.
Upgrade waves run faster now. The iPhone 13 was the top device traded for four straight quarters, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G in second place. Big volumes may look steady, but they hide faster dips for Android models as users rush to upgrade before values slide. Launches and promos trigger sell waves, and the pace intensifies in late Q4.
Your goal: lock a strong quote during a holiday promo, then ship on time. That protects your number if prices dip next week.
iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S23 trade-in 2025: What the values say right now
For iPhone 15 owners: Today’s numbers favor you. Apple’s in-house trade-in tops out at $600 for iPhone 15 Pro and $650 for iPhone 15 Pro Max (reported values), and resale points to about $500 for iPhone 15 in secondary markets. If you plan to upgrade to another Apple device and want store credit, Apple Trade-In can be simple. If you want cash, third-party buyback platforms often compete hard in December.
For Galaxy S23 owners: Expect a lower starting point, closer to $380. Offers can spike during promos but fall faster after. If you plan to switch to iOS, it can be smart to sell in December, while cross-platform demand is strong.
Holiday trade-in timing map: Three windows, one plan
You don’t need exact calendar dates to win. You need a simple phone trade-in timing strategy and a ship-by plan.
Window 1: Pre-Christmas promo window
Why it’s strong—promo pressure is high, platforms compete to close year-end deals, and quotes can be rich. What to do: collect 3 quotes in one day, lock the best, and ship by the stated cutoff so your condition check runs before the promo ends. Best for people ready to upgrade now or switch platforms this month.
Window 2: Last week of December
Why it’s tricky—carriers and couriers have holiday backlogs, and “arrives after” can turn into downgrades if your phone lands late. What to do: lock and ship early in the week, use tracked shipping, and keep proof-of-condition photos. Best for people who missed earlier promos but still want to catch holiday pricing.
Window 3: First week of January
Why it can work—some vendors reset promos to catch New Year upgrades, and competition stays warm. What to do: re-quote before you ship; January can bring fresh numbers. If your December lock expires, get a new offer and move fast. Best for folks who were traveling or waiting on gift cards and now want cash.
Apple Trade-In vs third-party buyback: How to choose in December
Both paths can work. Pick based on what you need most right now: credit or cash.
Apple Trade-In (credit):
Good for clean, recent iPhones going toward a new Apple purchase. It’s simple, fast, and the credit applies right away at checkout. Watch-outs: credit only, and condition downgrades can change your expected credit after inspection. Headline “up to” values assume top condition.
Third-party buyback (cash):
Good for cash payouts, cross-platform upgrades, or when you want to shop anywhere. Cash lets you combine deal-hunting with your sale. Watch-outs: shipping delays can cause missed promo windows; always note lock-in duration and the ship-by date in your calendar.
Rule of thumb: If you need store credit today and your phone is mint, Apple Trade-In is easy. If you want cash and can compare offers, third-party buyback often edges out credit paths during promos. For a deeper look at Apple Trade-In vs third-party buyback dynamics and depreciation timing, see this 2025 playbook.
The core driver: software longevity and buyer trust
Why does iPhone value hold up better across holidays? It comes back to one idea: useful life. iPhones keep getting major iOS updates for five-plus years. Buyers know that even a used iPhone will stay secure and smooth for longer. That reduces risk for second owners—lower risk means higher bids.
Android phones have made big strides, but typical major update support still trails iPhone. Over time, the difference compounds in resale prices.
Q4 to Q1 price curves: What usually happens
Every year is a little different, but the pattern is familiar. Prices can hold steady through early January if promo play continues. By late January, values often start to ease down, especially for Android flagships as new model rumors kick up and upgrade waves pause.
Over the long run, iPhone lines typically hold more of their launch value. That’s why even small timing wins pay off in real dollars for iPhone sellers.
Projected value paths into 2027: What to watch
Forecasts show the gap may narrow a bit, but the dollar outcome still favors iPhone. Projections to 2027 suggest iPhone models trending toward about a 46.1% loss and Samsung around 43.1% in that period, narrowing the percentage spread. But since iPhones start higher and sustain stronger buyer demand, resale dollars tend to remain better in absolute terms for iPhone.
The punchline: percentages can be tricky. Dollars matter more. And by dollars, iPhone still wins most head-to-head trade-in comparisons today.
Decision tree: Pick your path to the best December payout
I need my new phone now and want the simplest trade:
iPhone 15 owners—check Apple’s credit first, then one cash quote for comparison. If the gap is small, take Apple credit and close. Apple headline values: up to $600 (iPhone 15 Pro) and $650 (iPhone 15 Pro Max) as reported for 2025. Galaxy S23 owners—get two cash quotes and one carrier upgrade offer. S23 resale sits near ~$380 in secondary markets; promos can lift that. Move during a promo week and ship fast.
I want max dollars and can wait a few days:
Collect 3 quotes during a promo window. Lock the best one with the longest ship-by date. Take high-res photos of the device condition. Ship with tracking and insurance.
I’m traveling until after Christmas:
Don’t let a December lock expire in your backpack. Re-quote the first week of January. Many platforms reset offers then. Re-compare iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S23 values before you ship.
I’m switching platforms (Samsung to Apple or Apple to Samsung):
If you’re moving to iPhone, selling your S23 during holiday promos can help offset the switch gap. If you’re moving from iPhone to Android, compare Apple credit vs cash carefully—cash sometimes nets more flexibility and value in December.
Prep that moves the needle: Small steps, real money
A few quick fixes can boost your trade-in value. Do these before you get your quotes if you can.
Battery health: Aim for 80% or higher.
Why it matters—many buyers and trade-in systems auto-downgrade below 80%. Some pay tiers kick in at 85%+. If you’re close, a low-cost battery replacement can pay for itself in a better quote.
Cosmetic cleanup:
Wipe the phone. Clean the ports. Add original box if you have it. Light scratches are often fine, but deep cracks can drop you a whole tier. A cheap screen protector can keep condition from worsening during shipping.
Photos for proof:
Take clear photos in good light—front, back, sides, screen on, and a shot showing battery health (iPhone) or Device Care (Samsung). Keep these until payment clears.
Remove locks before you ship:
iPhone—turn off Find My and sign out of iCloud. Activation Lock must be off. Samsung—remove Google FRP (factory reset protection) by removing your Google account, then reset. Locked phones get rejected or downgraded. Many buyback programs do not accept iCloud-locked, blacklisted, lost/stolen, or water-damaged devices. This is a common industry rule to protect buyers.
Full reset and privacy:
Back up. Encrypt (most phones do this by default). Then factory reset. Don’t include SIMs or extra memory cards.
“Industry experts warn that activation lock is the number one deal-breaker for resale.”
Where to trade in iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23: What to compare
Compare cash vs credit: If you’re buying a new Apple device right away, Apple credit is quick and simple. If you want cash and open choice, third-party buyback can win.
Look at lock-in and ship-by dates: Use your calendar. Holiday delays can cost you.
Know the condition tiers: “Like new,” “good,” “fair,” and so on. Read the fine print on what counts as each tier.
Holiday tactics that work
Lock during promos. Then stop browsing. Once you lock a great number, ship and focus on delivery. Keep proof—photos, IMEI, and tracking protect your quote. Stack smartly: if you want credit and a discount on a new phone, ask if you can combine trade-in credit with a holiday device discount. Some stores limit stacking; some don’t.
Real-world examples: What your move might look like
iPhone 15 owner, upgrading to 15 Pro:
Check Apple Trade-In for credit and one third-party cash offer. If the credit number is strong and you want a new Apple device this week, take it. If the cash number is clearly better, grab it and apply the cash to any deal you want. Headline Apple values: up to $600 (15 Pro), $650 (15 Pro Max) as reported.
Galaxy S23 owner, switching to iPhone 15:
Shop two cash offers during a promo window. The S23 resale line hovers around $380, so aim to beat that during a December sale and ship same week.
iPhone 15 owner, waiting until January:
Set a reminder to re-quote the first business day of January. Check for new-year promo resets. With iPhone’s stronger value retention, odds are your number stays competitive if you didn’t miss a major promo.
How fast do values drop into Q1?
Every year is a little different, but the pattern is familiar. Prices can hold steady through early January if promo play continues. By late January, values often start to ease down, especially for Android flagships as new model rumors kick up and upgrade waves pause.
Over the long run, iPhone lines typically hold more of their launch value. That’s why even small timing wins pay off in real dollars for iPhone sellers.
Action kit: One-page worksheet to lock your best trade-in
Use this as your quick field guide.
1) Get your baseline
Battery health percent (iPhone) or Device Care score (Samsung). Condition notes: any cracks, deep scratches, screen burn? Accessories you still have: box, cable, charger.
2) Quote sprint (same day)
Collect 3 quotes: Apple credit (if iPhone) plus 2 cash offers. Note the lock duration and ship-by date for each.
3) Pick and lock
Choose the best mix of payout and timing. Take photos of condition and note the IMEI.
4) Prep and ship
Remove accounts and locks (Find My iPhone/FRP). Backup and factory reset. Pack well. Ship with tracking and insurance.
5) Confirm and close
Watch for the condition email. If the offer changes, check your photos and message support right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it better to trade before Christmas or after New Year?
Both can work. December has hot promos but tighter shipping windows. Early January sometimes brings fresh promo resets. If your goal is max dollars, lock during a strong promo and ship before the stated cutoff. Timing tips and market surge context.
Which holds value better in 2025: iPhone 15 or Galaxy S23?
iPhone 15, by a clear margin in most cases. Current resale suggests a ~$120 advantage for iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S23.
How much do Apple Trade-In values pay for iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max?
Reported maximums are up to $600 for iPhone 15 Pro and up to $650 for iPhone 15 Pro Max in 2025.
Does battery health change my quote?
Yes. Many systems drop offers below 80% battery health. Some tiers improve above ~85%. Replacing a tired battery can lift your final payout.
Why do iPhones keep better resale prices?
Longer software support and stronger buyer demand. iPhones get five or more years of updates; many Android models get fewer major updates. That longer useful life keeps prices up.
What if my phone is iCloud-locked or has FRP still on?
Remove it before you sell. Many buyback programs will reject or heavily downgrade locked phones. Always sign out of iCloud and Google, then factory reset.
What’s the trade-in market like right now?
Very active. U.S. trade-in values jumped 60% YoY to $1.34B in Q2 2025, the strongest on record. In fast markets, timing your lock and ship is key.
The bottom line for December 2025
If you’re deciding between iPhone 15 vs Galaxy S23 trade-in 2025, iPhone 15 is likely to pay more. Today’s resale shows a real gap in iPhone’s favor. Trade-in values are strong but volatile around the holidays—lock during a promo and ship on time.
Prep matters. Battery health, clean condition, and removing locks can lift your final number. Apple Trade-In vs third-party buyback comes down to credit vs cash and timing. Compare both before you ship. Strategy guide.
Make your move with a plan. Get three quotes today. Lock the best. Ship before the cutoff. Keep it simple, keep it clean, and keep your dollars.
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