In Singapore’s fast-moving smartphone market, resale value plays a major role in deciding when—and how—you upgrade. Whether you’re planning to sell your iPhone or let go of a Samsung flagship, understanding how each device holds value helps you make a better-timed decision and secure a stronger payout.
Using updated SellUp dealer pricing data from January to August 2025, here’s a clear look at how the iPhone 16 Pro Max and Samsung S24 Ultra compare across storage tiers.
1. iPhone 16 Pro Max vs Samsung S24 Ultra: Monthly Resale Price Trends (Jan–Aug 2025)
Average offers across verified SellUp buy-back partners (SGD)
| Month | iPhone 256GB | Samsung 256GB | iPhone 512GB | Samsung 512GB | iPhone 1TB | Samsung 1TB |
| Jan | $1650 | $990 | $1930 | $1310 | $2300 | $1600 |
| Feb | $1610 | $960 | $1890 | $1290 | $2240 | $1590 |
| Mar | $1560 | $930 | $1830 | $1270 | $2180 | $1580 |
| Apr | $1520 | $905 | $1780 | $1250 | $2050 | $1565 |
| May | $1480 | $900 | $1720 | $1230 | $1930 | $1560 |
| Jun | $1440 | $890 | $1670 | $1220 | $1850 | $1555 |
| Jul | $1425 | $880 | $1645 | $1120 | $1800 | $1150 |
| Aug | $1420 | $870 | $1630 | $1020 | $1790 | $1530 |
2. Resale Value Retention
Retention is calculated using the January price as baseline.
iPhone 16 Pro Max Retention
- 256GB: 86%
- 512GB: 84%
- 1TB: 78%
Samsung S24 Ultra Retention
- 256GB: 88%
- 512GB: 78%
- 1TB: 95% (boosted by a steep recovery after a July dip)
3. What the Data Actually Shows
|
Comparison Point |
iPhone 16 Pro Max |
Samsung S24 Ultra |
|
Overall Resale Value |
Higher cash value across all months and storage tiers |
Lower resale value across all tiers |
|
Pricing Stability |
More stable month-to-month pricing |
More volatile month-to-month movement |
|
Early-year Trend |
Mild, steady decline |
Gradual decline from Jan–Jun |
|
Mid-year Movement |
No sharp dips |
Notable July drop, especially 512GB & 1TB |
|
Late-year Trend (August) |
Small decrease |
Strong rebound in 1TB tier |
|
Impact on Sellers |
Predictable resale prices and easier timing |
Timing matters more; poor month = significantly lower payout |
iPhones provide steadier pricing and higher resale value. Samsung prices fluctuate more, so selling at the right time makes a bigger difference.
|
Storage Tier |
iPhone |
Samsung |
|
256GB |
Steady, predictable curve |
More fluctuation, lower offers overall |
|
512GB |
More stable among all iPhone tiers |
Experiences noticeably sharper depreciation |
|
1TB |
Strong value, consistent decline |
Looks strong only because of August rebound |
|
Overall Pattern |
Higher absolute cash value across all tiers |
Lower prices and deeper dips |
Across all capacities, iPhones maintain stronger and more stable resale prices, while Samsung tiers, especially 512GB and 1TB, show sharper drops and recovery swings.
4. Before You Sell: What Singapore Users Should Consider
Which device moves faster on the resale market?
iPhones typically clear sooner because of consistently higher buyer demand.
Samsung models may take longer, especially during months with pricing dips.
When is the best time to sell?
Singapore’s market sees the strongest prices 1–2 months before a new launch cycle.
- iPhone launch season: Sep-Oct
- Samsung flagship season: Jan–Feb
Why timing matters:
Samsung’s mid-year dip, especially in July, shows how resale values can shift from month to month. Capturing a valuation earlier helps you avoid selling during a low point, and SellUp’s instant-quote feature makes it easier to secure a price before the next movement.
5. Final Takeaways
iPhone and Samsung both show distinct resale patterns in Singapore, and the “better” performer often depends on the month, storage tier, and market sentiment. What matters more for everyday users is timing and clarity — knowing how your device is trending, understanding where its value is heading, and comparing offers before you commit. With SellUp, you get transparent, up-to-date pricing from verified dealers, giving you a clearer route to the strongest resale value at any point in the cycle.
