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There’s no question that foldables are some of the most impressive smartphones on the planet. Recent releases from the likes of Honor, Samsung and Google have all improved the design, usability and all-important durability of these futuristic call makers. With these devices getting thinner and lighter, whilst also offering expansive screens that open like a book, it’s no wonder they’ve created such a stir. To add to the excitement, Samsung recently gave tech fans their first glimpse of a tri-fold device with three screens that open to reveal a huge tablet-style display. Rumours are also rife that Apple may unleash its first folding iPhone next year - if true, it could really make this technology even more desirable. Foldables appear to be here to stay, but buying one does come with a warning. According to the team at trade-in sight SellCell, some foldbales could be losing their resale value much faster than traditional smartphones. In fact, SellCell reckons that foldable phones can depreciate by as much as 15.4 percent more in the first six months after their release. “On average, foldable devices lose about 62.3% of their value within six months, compared to 49.8% for traditional flagships, highlighting a significant 12.5% difference in short-term value retention,” SellCell explained. “After 18 months, foldables have typically lost 71.1% of their value, while non-foldables have seen a depreciation of 60.7%, indicating that foldables tend to lose around 10.4% more in the long run.” Despite its popularity, Samsung may have the biggest issue when it comes to price falls. SellCell’s data suggests that Samsung’s foldable devices experienced the steepest decline, with a value loss of 63.7% in the first six months, compared to 48.3% for the standard Galaxy S series. So why are foldables falling so fast? SellCell says that there are numerous reasons why foldables might be plummeting. Firstly, these devices are still relatively new compared to standard smartphones. Non-foldables are also seen as being more reliable, easier to fix and less of a risk for consumsers especially when buying that's already been owned. "There are quite a few reasons why foldable phones might depreciate more quickly than standards," SellCell said "The foldable trend is fairly new to the market and as such resellers and buyers still view them as intriguing yet untested, whereas users are more familiar with a standard phone. Repairing or replacing foldable screens is significantly pricier than dealing with standard displays / screens, making second-hand models less attractive for trade-ins or resale. "Currently, traditional smartphones are the more reliable choice for both consumers and resellers. They are simpler to refurbish, have more predictable resale values, and enjoy a well-established demand. While foldables may represent the future of technology , they are still in the early-adopter stage regarding value retention." So, be warned, foldables might look exciting but you might find they aren't worth as much when you come to trade them in.
