iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab: Trade-In Value Comparison

iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab: Trade-In Value Comparison

Last reviewed by Sarah Chen on 01 April 2026

trading in your tablet for a new one, the iPad generally holds more trade-in value than the Samsung Galaxy Tab. According to Apple's Trade In program as of July 2023, an iPad Air (4th generation) with good condition can be traded in for up to $395, while a comparable Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ might fetch around $185 at similar platforms.

Current Trade-In Values at Major Platforms

iPad: At Apple's official trade-in program as of July 2023, an iPad Air (4th generation) in good condition can be traded for up to $395. This value drops significantly if the device is broken or in poor condition. Other platforms like Decluttr and Best Buy offer similar but slightly lower values due to their different evaluation criteria.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: Samsung's own trade-in program tends to offer less than Apple's, with a Galaxy Tab S7+ in good condition fetching around $185 as of July 2023. Gazelle and Back Market also provide comparable offers, but the value is usually lower compared to the iPad at these platforms.

How Values Change by Condition

iPad: The trade-in value varies widely depending on the device's condition. For instance, an iPad Air (4th generation) in mint condition can be traded for up to $450, whereas a fair condition unit might fetch only around $320.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: Similarly, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ sees significant value drops based on its condition-up to $210 for a mint device and as low as $160 for one in poor condition.

Depreciation Rate Over 12 Months

iPad: According to data from Apple's trade-in program, an iPad Air (4th generation) depreciates by approximately 5% over the first three months and then stabilizes. After twelve months, it retains about 70-80% of its initial value.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: Samsung devices tend to depreciate faster; a Galaxy Tab S7+ might lose around 12% in value within the first quarter and approximately 45% after a year based on Gazelle's data from February 2023.

Which Holds Value Better and Why

The iPad holds better trade-in value due to its strong brand loyalty, ecosystem integration with other Apple products, and consistent software updates that keep older models relevant. At iPad vs Samsung Galaxy Tab: Trade-In Value Comparison, samsung's trade-in values are lower because of the company's more aggressive product release cycles and less cohesive ecosystem compared to Apple's.

Best Time to Sell or Trade In

iPad: The best time to sell an iPad is within six months after purchase when its value stabilizes but hasn't dropped too much yet.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: For Samsung devices, it's advisable to trade in as soon as possible-ideally within three to four months-to maximize residual value before depreciation sets in.

Where to Get the Highest Price for Each

iPad: Apple's official Trade In program offers the highest prices. Alternatively, Decluttr and Best Buy provide competitive rates but are slightly lower than Apple's.

Samsung Galaxy Tab: Gazelle often provides better trade-in values compared to Samsung's own trade-in service or other platforms like Back Market or Decluttr.

Recycling Options if the Device Has No Trade-In Value

If your iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab has no trade-in value, recycling is a viable option. Apple and Samsung both have certified e-waste recyclers that safely dispose of electronics without harming the environment. In Europe, companies like Recycle More offer full recycling services.

According to the WHO, improper e-waste disposal releases toxic substances including lead, mercury, and cadmium into soil and water.

Materials Recovered When Recycled

Recycling an iPad or Samsung Galaxy Tab recovers valuable materials such as gold, silver, copper, lithium, cobalt, and rare earth elements which can be reused in manufacturing new devices. According to the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), each ton of recycled electronics yields about 13 pounds of copper and over a gram of gold.

Head-to-Head Verdict

The iPad holds more trade-in value compared to the Samsung Galaxy Tab due to its higher residual value, especially after one year. However, in specific scenarios where brand loyalty isn't a factor or immediate financial need arises, trading in a Samsung Galaxy Tab sooner might yield better short-term benefits.

For detailed information on each device, visit our pages for iPad and Samsung Galaxy Tab.

Sources

• WHO
• UN Global E-Waste Monitor 2024
• European Parliament