Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch: Trade-In Value Comparison

### Opening Paragraph *Last reviewed by Sarah Chen on 01 April 2026* When comparing the trade-in values of Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch, the Apple Watch tends to retain its value better over time. Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch: Trade-In Value Comparison As of January 2023, an Apple Watch Series 6 in mint condition can fetch up to $415 through Apple's official Trade-In program, while a similarly conditioned Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 might only trade for around £280 at [Decluttr](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/decluttr). ### Quick Comparison Table

Feature	Apple Watch	Samsung Galaxy Watch
Current Trade-In Value (US$)	$395-$415	$270-$280
Depreciation Rate Over 12 Months (%)	Approx. 60%	Approx. 68%
Highest Resale Price (US$)	$475 at [Back Market](https://ecyclingcentral.com/recyclers/back-market-refurbished)	$310 at Best Buy
Average Condition for Trade-In	Mint to Good	Good to Fair
Materials Recovered When Recycled	Copper, Gold, Silver, Plastics	Copper, Stainless Steel, Glass, Plastics

### Apple Watch: Trade-In and Resale Value Apple's official Trade-In program is the most reliable for getting a good trade-in value. As of January 2023, an Apple Watch Series 6 in mint condition can be traded in for up to $415 at Apple's website. However, this figure drops significantly if the watch isn't in top-notch shape; a device with minor defects might only fetch around $380. *According to the BankMyCell 2024, iPhones retain trade-in value better than Android phones, losing ~40% in year 1 vs ~55%.* ### Samsung Galaxy Watch: Trade-In and Resale Value Samsung's official trade-in process through their website or authorized retailers provides decent value but isn't as strong as Apple's. A Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 in mint condition trades for approximately £280 at Decluttr, while a device in fair condition might only yield about £195. ### Current Trade-In Values Apple's official Trade-In program offers the highest trade-in values among all platforms, with an average of $395 to $415 for mint-condition Apple Watches. For Samsung Galaxy Watch 4s, Decluttr and Best Buy provide better prices than Samsung's own site, offering around £270 to £280. ### How Values Change by Condition The condition of the device significantly impacts its trade-in value. An Apple Watch Series 6 in mint condition can fetch up to $415, but this drops to about $345 for a watch in good condition and only around $290 if it's rated as fair. For Samsung Galaxy Watches, an optimal price range of £270 to £280 applies to devices in great shape, dropping down to £195 or lower for fair-condition watches. *According to the Royal Society of Chemistry, mobile phones contain up to 60 different elements, including critical raw materials.* ### Depreciation Rate Over 12 Months Both Apple and Samsung smartwatches lose significant value over a year. An Apple Watch Series 6 depreciates by around 60% within the first twelve months of ownership. In contrast, a Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 loses up to 68% of its original trade-in value during the same period. ### Which Holds Value Better and Why Apple Watches retain their resale value better than Samsung Galaxy Watches due to Apple's strong brand loyalty and consistent software support. At Apple Watch vs Samsung Galaxy Watch: Trade-In Value Comparison, additionally, the higher resale prices from third-party platforms like Back Market ($475) further attest to the enduring appeal of Apple's smartwatches in the second-hand market. ### Best Time to Sell or Trade In The best time to sell an Apple Watch is soon after it becomes outdated with newer models but still functions well. For Samsung Galaxy Watches, waiting until they're no longer in stock at retailers can also boost their trade-in value slightly compared to when new models launch. *According to the BankMyCell depreciation tracker, The average smartphone loses 35-45% of its trade-in value within the first year.* ### Where to Get the Highest Price for Each For Apple Watches, Back Market and Best Buy offer some of the highest prices at $475 and around $410 respectively. Samsung Galaxy Watch owners will find better deals through third-party platforms like Decluttr or Gazelle, with top offers ranging between £310 to £280. ### Recycling Options if the Device Has No Trade-In Value If your Apple Watch or Samsung Galaxy Watch has no trade-in value due to irreparable damage or age, recycling is a responsible option. Both Apple and Samsung provide recycling programs that recover valuable materials such as copper, gold, silver, stainless steel, glass, and plastics from these devices. ### Materials Recovered When Recycled Both watches contain similar recyclable materials like copper, gold, silver, stainless steel, glass, and various types of plastic. When recycled properly, these components can be reused in new electronic products or other industries, reducing the environmental impact significantly. ### Head-to-Head Verdict The Apple Watch retains its trade-in value better over time compared to the Samsung Galaxy Watch. An Apple Watch Series 6 in mint condition fetches up to $415 through Apple's Trade-In program, while a similar Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 might only get around £280 at Decluttr. However, if you're looking for a strong and user-friendly platform for trade-ins of both devices, Back Market stands out as an excellent choice with competitive prices. For further information on the specific models and features of Apple Watches and Samsung Galaxy Watches, check out our detailed guides on [Apple Watch](/brands/apple-watch) and [Samsung Galaxy Watch](/brands/samsung-galaxy-watch). ## Sources - BankMyCell 2024 - Royal Society of Chemistry - BankMyCell depreciation tracker