Report – Key Takeaways
Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models can lose up to 15% of their value within 8 weeks of a new model launch
The Flip 5 (256GB) lost 14.4% ($59) after the Flip 6 launched
SellCell forecasts show the Flip 6 (256GB) could lose $70 after the Fold 7 and Flip 7 are unveiled in just 8 weeks
Trade-in values remain consistent before launch — but plunge rapidly afterwards in weeks
Waiting just 2 months after launch could cost you $60–$70 or more
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WHAT GALAXY OWNERS NEED TO KNOW |
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Galaxy Fold & Flip models have historically dropped up to 15% in value 8 weeks post-launch |
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The Flip 5 (256GB) lost $59, and the Fold 4 (1TB) dropped $68 |
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The closer we get to July 9th the faster you should sell your device to get maximum value |
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Trade in now to secure the highest possible payout before the new models arrive |
Samsung’s next Galaxy Unpacked event will be held on July 9, 2025, where the tech giant is expected to unveil its latest foldables — the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7.
Whilst this is great news for fans who are looking for new features, owners of older Fold and Flip models could be weeks away from losing out. Phone values are predicted to plummet post launch.
SellCell, a leading phone trade-in company has analysed historical depreciation trends from past Galaxy Fold and Flip launches to understand how much Fold and Flip owners could lose out if they hold onto their devices for too long.
Resale Values for Fold & Flips Send a Clear Message – Sell now or risk losing up to 15% in just 8 weeks
Based on SellCell’s trade-in data, Galaxy Fold and Flip devices lose a significant portion of their value in the weeks following the launch of a new model. Here’s what’s happened in previous years:
| Launch Date | MSRP | Price Day of Launch |
Price 1 Month After |
Price 2 Months After |
Loss Day of Launch |
Loss 1 Month After |
Loss 2 Months After |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold5 1TB | 11/08/23 | $2159.99 | $772.65 | $755.00 | $740.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $17.65 (2.3%) | $32.65 (4.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold5 512GB | 11/08/23 | $1919.99 | $742.35 | $725.00 | $710.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $17.35 (2.3%) | $32.35 (4.4%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold5 256GB | 11/08/23 | $1799.99 | $701.95 | $695.00 | $670.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $6.95 (1.0%) | $31.95 (4.6%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip5 512GB | 11/08/23 | $1119.99 | $433.00 | $410.00 | $397.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $23.00 (5.3%) | $36.00 (8.3%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip5 256GB | 11/08/23 | $999.99 | $411.00 | $375.00 | $352.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $36.00 (8.8%) | $59.00 (14.4%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $0.00 (0.0%) | $20.19 (3.9%) | $38.39 (7.2%) | |||||
| Galaxy Z Fold4 1TB | 25/08/22 | $2159.99 | $630.00 | $627.00 | $562.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $3.00 (0.5%) | $68.00 (10.8%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold4 512GB | 25/08/22 | $1919.99 | $600.00 | $599.00 | $557.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $1.00 (0.2%) | $43.00 (7.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold4 256GB | 25/08/22 | $1799.99 | $595.00 | $568.00 | $527.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $27.00 (4.5%) | $68.00 (11.4%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 256GB | 25/08/22 | $1059.99 | $332.00 | $332.00 | $291.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $0.00 (0.0%) | $41.00 (12.3%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 128GB | 25/08/22 | $999.99 | $302.00 | $302.00 | $278.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $0.00 (0.0%) | $24.00 (7.9%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $0.00 (0.0%) | $6.20 (1.0%) | $48.80 (9.9%) | |||||
| Galaxy Z Fold3 512GB | 27/08/21 | $1899.99 | $603.00 | $580.00 | $555.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $23.00 (3.8%) | $48.00 (8.0%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold3 256GB | 27/08/21 | $1799.99 | $579.90 | $550.00 | $541.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $29.90 (5.2%) | $38.90 (6.7%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip3 256GB | 27/08/21 | $1049.99 | $325.00 | $301.00 | $295.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $24.00 (7.4%) | $30.00 (9.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip3 128GB | 27/08/21 | $999.99 | $304.00 | $280.00 | $275.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $24.00 (7.9%) | $29.00 (9.5%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $0.00 (0.0%) | $25.23 (6.1%) | $36.48 (8.4%) | |||||
| *Figures above based on the top price for a device in ‘Mint’ condition | ||||||||
| *For the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5, the Day of Launch is the launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Galaxy Z Flip6 (24/07/24) | ||||||||
| *For the Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Galaxy Z Flip4, the Day of Launch is the launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5 (11/08/23) | ||||||||
| *For the Galaxy Z Fold3 and the Galaxy Z Flip3, the Day of Launch is the launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Galaxy Z Flip4 (25/08/22) | ||||||||
- The Fold 4 1TB lost over $68 in 8 weeks of value post the newer Fold 5 launch and depreciated by nearly 11% in 2 months.
- Even the newest Fold 5 256 GB saw a 4.6% dip and $31.95 value drop within two months of launching the Fold 6 series.
- The Flip 5 256 GB was the biggest loser overall over an 8 week period percentage wise, shedding 14.4% of its value ($59) in just two months after the launch of the newer model.
- The Fold 4 256GB lost 11.4% and a huge $68 wiped off the resale price.
- On average at around the-8 week mark post the launch date of a newer Z Flip & Fold model older ranges are losing up to 8-10% in value.
- In just 8 weeks between the launch of a new range, existing owners of Flip & Fold phones experience a drop in value of up to 15% off the resale value of their existing phone.
Depreciation Doesn’t Start Before Launch – It Accelerates After
SellCell’s data shows that Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models tend to hold their value right up until the launch of a new generation, which is unusual in the world of phones. Typically devices tend to see a rapid decline in the weeks before launch as resellers price down old devices in anticipation of new stock, but foldables seem to hold value and then rapidly drop on announcement day and in the weeks ahead. In fact the data shows that on average the Galaxy Z Fold 5 and Z Flip 5 slightly gained value (0.5%) in the 2 months before launch of the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6. This is largely driven by the figures for the Z Flip 5 256GB and to a lesser extent the Z Flip 5 512GB. If you discount those two devices, then average depreciation in the 2 months leading up to launch is just 2.3%.
| Launch Date | MSRP | Price 2 Months Before |
Price Day of Launch |
Loss Day of Launch |
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold5 1TB | 11/08/23 | $2159.99 | $790.00 | $772.65 | $17.35 (2.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold5 512GB | 11/08/23 | $1919.99 | $759.00 | $742.35 | $16.65 (2.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold5 256GB | 11/08/23 | $1799.99 | $720.00 | $701.95 | $18.05 (2.5%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip5 512GB | 11/08/23 | $1119.99 | $421.00 | $433.00 | $-12.00 (-2.9%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip5 256GB | 11/08/23 | $999.99 | $385.00 | $411.00 | $-26.00 (-6.8%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $2.81 (-0.5%) | ||||
| Galaxy Z Fold4 1TB | 25/08/22 | $2159.99 | $626.00 | $630.00 | $-4.00 (-0.6%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold4 512GB | 25/08/22 | $1919.99 | $600.00 | $600.00 | $0.00 (0.0%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold4 256GB | 25/08/22 | $1799.99 | $591.00 | $595.00 | $-4.00 (-0.7%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 256GB | 25/08/22 | $1059.99 | $331.00 | $332.00 | $-1.00 (-0.3%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip4 128GB | 25/08/22 | $999.99 | $301.00 | $302.00 | $-1.00 (-0.3%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $-2.00 (-0.4%) | ||||
| *Figures above based on the top price for a device in ‘Mint’ condition | |||||
| *For the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5, the Day of Launch is the launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold6 and the Galaxy Z Flip6 (24/07/24) | |||||
| *For the Galaxy Z Fold4 and the Galaxy Z Flip4, the Day of Launch is the launch date for the Galaxy Z Fold5 and the Galaxy Z Flip5 (11/08/23) | |||||
But once the new models are announced in the Galaxy Unpacked Event, the picture changes dramatically. In the 2 months following launch, depreciation accelerates quickly. The Flip 5 (256GB), for example, lost 14.4% of its value – around $59 – within just 8 weeks. The Fold 4 (256GB) dropped by $68 in the same timeframe, a loss of 11.4%. On average, devices across the board shed between 8% and 10% of their value post-launch, typically translating to $40-$70 in lost trade-in value.
This pattern clearly demonstrates that delaying a trade-in, in the days or weeks after launch can lead to steep value losses.
Forecast: What Could Happen to Fold 6 & Flip 6 Values After the July 9 Launch
SellCell’s forecast for the Galaxy Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 are based on last year’s launch. Our projections suggest that owners of the Z Fold 6 and Z Flip 6 could see significant value losses within just 1–2 months of the Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 launch:
| Launch Date | MSRP | Price 30th June |
Price 1 Month After (Projected) |
Price 2 Months After (Projected) |
Loss 30th June |
Loss 1 Month After (Projected) |
Loss 2 Months After (Projected) |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galaxy Z Fold6 1TB | 11/08/23 | $2259.99 | $852.00 | $832.40 | $816.22 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $19.60 (2.3%) | $35.78 (4.2%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 512GB | 11/08/23 | $2019.99 | $822.00 | $803.09 | $785.83 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $18.91 (2.3%) | $36.17 (4.4%) |
| Galaxy Z Fold6 256GB | 11/08/23 | $1899.99 | $782.00 | $774.18 | $746.03 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $7.82 (1.0%) | $35.97 (4.6%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip6 512GB | 11/08/23 | $1219.99 | $507.00 | $480.13 | $464.92 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $26.87 (5.3%) | $42.08 (8.3%) |
| Galaxy Z Flip6 256GB | 11/08/23 | $1099.99 | $487.00 | $444.14 | $416.87 | $0.00 (0.0%) | $42.86 (8.8%) | $70.13 (14.4%) |
| AVERAGE LOSS: | $0.00 (0.0%) | $23.21 (3.9%) | $44.03 (7.2%) | |||||
| *Figures above based on the top price for a device in ‘Mint’ condition | ||||||||
- Average projected loss in 2 months: $44.03 (7.2%) , but users could face the possibility that the 6’s could lose as much as 15% of the phone’s value in just 8 weeks post launch.
- The Flip 6 256GB is predicted to be the biggest loser, dropping 14.4% ($70.13) by early September
- The Fold 6 1TB could lose nearly $35.78 (4.2%) in just 2 months
- Even the newest Fold and Flip models aren’t immune — value erosion begins almost immediately after new models are announced
What Does This Mean for Fold & Flip Owners on July 9?
When the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Flip 7 are announced on July 9, older models including the Fold 6 and Flip 6 are likely to begin losing value immediately. If a Flip or Fold owner is looking to upgrade to a new model they should start the process of trading in a phone as soon as possible to get the maximum value for their old phone to put towards the upgrade. If we map the past launches, owners may lose up to 15% of the value of their device if they wait too long to sell their old device to put towards an upgrade.. That’s the equivalent of losing $60–$70 or more, just by holding onto an existing phone for a few weeks.
Conclusion: Don’t Wait and Watch Your Value Disappear
If you’re holding onto a Galaxy Z Fold or Flip and thinking about upgrading, the time to act is now. Historical trends, real data, and future forecasts all point to one thing — waiting even a few weeks after launch could hit you in the pocket when you come to upgrade.
Don’t get caught out. Lock in your trade-in while prices are high — and make the most of your upgrade.
Methodology
SellCell analysed trade-in prices for Samsung Galaxy Z Fold and Flip models using real-time pricing data from over 40 trusted buyback vendors featured on its platform. Devices assessed were in ‘mint’ condition, and pricing snapshots were taken at intervals of 1 month before launch, launch day, 1 month after, and 2 months after. The study focuses specifically on how resale values decline in the critical 8 week window following a new model launch, highlighting short-term depreciation trends that impact trade-in value.
SellCell Advice: Lock In Top Trade-In Prices Now Before The Price Crash
SellCell compares prices from over 40 trusted buyback vendors, ensuring you get the best value when trading in your device. Trade-in now to secure the highest possible payout before the new models arrive Find your device’s top trade-in offer now at SellCell.com