In the used iPhone vs. Samsung Galaxy decision, price rarely breaks the tie: on Swappa, an iPhone 13 and a Galaxy S23 both sell for about $240. What separates them is how many years of updates each phone has left, the watch and computer you already own, and a few hardware extras only one side offers. Below are price-matched pairs at four budgets from Swappa sale data, followed by a simple rule for choosing.
Quick Answer
Buy a used iPhone if you rely on iMessage, FaceTime, an Apple Watch or a Mac, or if you plan to resell within a year or two, because iPhones lose value more slowly. Buy a used Galaxy if you want the longest written update promise for your money (the Galaxy S24 and newer get seven years), a telephoto lens without paying for a Pro model, an S Pen or a foldable. At about $400 on Swappa, a Galaxy S25 is promised updates to about 2032, while Apple’s filing for the iPhone 15 commits to security updates through at least September 2028.
iPhone vs. Galaxy at a Glance
| Factor | Used iPhone | Used Samsung Galaxy | Edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written update promise | At least 5 years of security updates from release, per Apple’s UK filings | 7 OS upgrades and 7 years of security updates on the Galaxy S24 and newer | Galaxy (S24 and newer) |
| Update track record | iOS 27 still supports the 2019 iPhone 11 | Older models stop sooner (S23 security ends about early 2028) | iPhone |
| Messaging | iMessage and FaceTime, plus RCS texting with Android | RCS through Google Messages, no iMessage | iPhone, if your people use iPhones |
| Smartwatch | Apple Watch only works with an iPhone | Galaxy Watch4 and newer need an Android phone | The watch you already own |
| Zoom camera | Telephoto lens only on Pro models | 3x telephoto on every base Galaxy S since the S23 | Galaxy |
| Screen | 120Hz on Pro models and the iPhone 17 | 120Hz on every Galaxy S since the S23 | Galaxy at lower budgets |
| Stylus and foldables | No stylus; the first foldable iPhone ships October 23 | S Pen in Ultra models, plus years of used Z Fold and Z Flip | Galaxy |
| Resale value | Loses value more slowly | Drops faster, so used prices are lower | iPhone to sell, Galaxy to buy |
Price-Matched Used Pairs on Swappa
Swappa sale data from early October 2026 shows how closely the two brands line up at each budget. The prices below are average sale prices for each model’s base storage tier, pulled from its Swappa price page on October 7, 2026. They change with condition, storage, carrier and demand.
| Budget | Used iPhone | Avg. Sale | Used Galaxy | Avg. Sale | The Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| About $250 | iPhone 13, 128GB | About $245 | Galaxy S23, 128GB | About $235 | Both are late in their support; the S23 adds zoom and a 120Hz screen |
| About $400 | iPhone 15, 128GB | About $386 | Galaxy S25, 128GB | About $417 | The S25’s promised updates run more than three years longer |
| About $550 | iPhone 15 Pro Max, 256GB | About $581 | Galaxy S25+, 256GB | About $545 | iPhone adds 5x zoom and Apple Intelligence; Galaxy adds update years |
| Flagship | iPhone 17 Pro, 256GB | About $913 | Galaxy S26 Ultra, 256GB | About $854 | The S26 Ultra costs less and adds an S Pen and a 200MP camera |
About $250: iPhone 13 vs. Galaxy S23. Both phones are in the last stretch of their software support. The S23 adds a 120Hz screen and a 3x telephoto lens, but Samsung’s security updates for it end around early 2028. The iPhone 13 still runs iOS 27, though Apple’s five-year security minimum for it passed in September 2026. If you can stretch, the Galaxy S24 sells for about $327 and is covered to about 2031, the longest promised runway per dollar of any phone here.
About $400: iPhone 15 vs. Galaxy S25. The iPhone 15 brings USB-C, the Dynamic Island and a 48MP main camera. The S25 counters with a 120Hz screen, 12GB of memory and a 3x telephoto. The bigger gap is software: Samsung promises the S25 updates to about 2032, more than three years past the iPhone 15’s September 2028 minimum.
About $550: iPhone 15 Pro Max vs. Galaxy S25+. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is a strong big-screen pick, with 256GB of storage, a 5x telephoto, a 120Hz ProMotion screen and Apple Intelligence support. The S25+ matches the big screen and storage, and its updates run to about 2032. If you want a newer iPhone at this price instead, the iPhone 16 sells for about $530 with 128GB.
Flagship: iPhone 17 Pro vs. Galaxy S26 Ultra. The S26 Ultra sells for about $60 less and adds a built-in S Pen, a 200MP main camera, both 3x and 5x telephotos, and updates to about 2033. The iPhone 17 Pro counters with a 48MP 4x telephoto that reaches 8x at optical quality, plus the A19 Pro chip. For the biggest iPhone, the iPhone 17 Pro Max sells for about $1,015 with 256GB, while the new iPhone 18 Pro is too fresh to have a Swappa sales history.
For a generation-by-generation view, see Used iPhone Buyer’s Guide: Every Generation Ranked (2026) and Used Samsung Galaxy S Buyer’s Guide: Which Generation to Get.
Software Updates: How Many Years Does Each Used Phone Have Left?
Samsung puts its promise in writing. The Galaxy S24 launched with seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates, and the Galaxy S26 series carries the same terms from its global launch date. The Galaxy S23 was promised four OS upgrades and five years of security updates, so Android 17 is its last major version and its patches end around early 2028. For now it still gets monthly patches, per Samsung’s security update list.
Apple publishes no end dates, but its UK product security filings promise at least five years of security updates from a model’s first sale. For the iPhone 15, that means at least September 2028. For the iPhone 13, the five-year minimum ran out on September 24, 2026, yet iOS 27 still supports it, along with every iPhone back to the 2019 iPhone 11. Apple’s track record is long; its written promise is shorter than Samsung’s.
| Phone | Update Status in October 2026 |
|---|---|
| iPhone 13 | Runs iOS 27; Apple’s five-year minimum ended September 2026 |
| iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro Max | Security updates promised through at least September 2028 |
| iPhone 17 Pro | Runs iOS 27; released September 2025, no published end date |
| Galaxy S23 | Android 17 is its last OS; security to about early 2028 |
| Galaxy S24 | OS and security updates to about 2031 |
| Galaxy S25 and Galaxy S25+ | OS and security updates to about 2032 |
| Galaxy S26 Ultra | OS and security updates to about 2033 |
AI features follow the same split. Apple Intelligence needs an iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max or any iPhone 16 or newer, per Apple’s iOS 27 page, so the iPhone 13 and base iPhone 15 miss it; What iPhone Should I Buy in 2026? Picks for Every Need covers the AI-ready models. Galaxy AI reached the S23 series through the One UI 6.1 update, and Samsung says its basic Galaxy AI features are free. For how OS and security updates differ, see How Long Will a Used Phone Get Updates?.
Ecosystem: FaceTime, Apple Watch and Mac vs. Galaxy Watch and Windows
For most buyers, this decides it. iMessage only runs on Apple devices, so iPhone-using friends and family pull you toward an iPhone. Since iOS 18, iPhones also text Android phones over RCS where the carrier supports it, and iOS 26.5 added end-to-end encrypted RCS in beta on supported carriers, per Apple’s RCS support page.
Watches lock you in harder than messaging does. watchOS 27 requires an iPhone 11 or later, so an Apple Watch won’t pair with a Galaxy. Samsung says the Galaxy Watch4 and newer rely on Google Play services and don’t work with iPhones, and the Samsung Health Monitor app behind ECG and blood pressure readings runs only on Galaxy phones. See Used Apple Watch Buyer’s Guide: Series, SE & Ultra Ranked or Used Samsung Galaxy Watch & Wear OS Buyer’s Guide if a watch is part of the plan.
Your computer matters too. A Mac adds AirDrop, texting from your desktop and iPhone Mirroring, which isn’t available in the EU. On Windows, Microsoft’s Phone Link gives Android phones calls, texts with group chats, recent photos and, on select phones, apps. With an iPhone, it handles calls, texts and notifications but not group messages or photo sharing.
Switching sides later takes some work, so read Best tips for switching from Android to iPhone or Best tips for switching from iPhone to Android before you jump.
Cameras, Screens and the Galaxy S Pen
Galaxy’s clearest hardware edge is zoom at lower prices. Every base Galaxy S from the S23 through the S26 has a 10MP 3x telephoto lens and a 120Hz screen, according to the spec tables in Samsung’s launch announcements, such as the Galaxy S25 announcement. Base iPhones have no telephoto lens: the iPhone 15 through the iPhone 17 use a 2x crop from the 48MP main sensor, per Apple’s comparison page. Base iPhones also lacked ProMotion until the iPhone 17 added a 120Hz display.
At the top end, the Galaxy S26 Ultra pairs a 200MP main camera with 3x and 5x telephotos. The iPhone 17 Pro uses a 48MP 4x telephoto, and the iPhone 15 Pro Max a 5x.
Among current Galaxy phones, only the S Ultra models have a built-in S Pen. If you want the pen’s Bluetooth remote tricks (Air actions), note that Samsung dropped them from the Galaxy S25 Ultra and S26 Ultra pens, per Samsung support. The Galaxy S23 Ultra keeps them and sells for about $405, but its updates end around early 2028.
Foldables are Galaxy territory for now. The Galaxy Z Flip7 sells for about $514 and the Galaxy Z Fold7 for about $869 on Swappa, while Apple’s first foldable, the iPhone Duo, goes on sale October 23 at $1,999 and up new. iPhone Duo vs. Android Foldables: How It Compares and Buying a Used Galaxy Z Fold/Flip: What to Check go deeper. Weighing a Google Pixel too? See Used Google Pixel Buyer’s Guide: Which Pixel Is Worth It.
Shop Used Samsung Galaxy Phones on Swappa
Resale Value When You Sell Later
iPhone vs. Android Resale Value: A Data-Driven Comparison puts typical first-year depreciation at about 28 to 33% for iPhones and 47 to 66% for Galaxy S flagships, based on industry resale tracking, with Samsung’s seven-year policy narrowing the gap. That makes an iPhone the better bet if you plan to sell within a year or two, and a one- or two-year-old Galaxy the better value to buy, because its first owner already absorbed the steepest drop.
Who Should Buy a Used iPhone, and Who Should Buy a Used Galaxy
Swappa sells both, so use this rule.
Buy a used iPhone if:
- Your family and friends use iMessage and FaceTime, or you own an Apple Watch, iPad or Mac.
- You plan to sell or trade up within a year or two.
- You want Apple Intelligence, which starts at the iPhone 15 Pro.
Good iPhone picks on Swappa right now: the iPhone 15 (about $386) for most people, the iPhone 14 Pro Max (about $448 with 128GB) for a big screen on a budget, the iPhone 15 Pro Max (about $581 with 256GB) for zoom, and the iPhone 17 Pro Max (about $1,015 with 256GB) for the newest big iPhone.
Buy a used Galaxy if:
- You want the longest written update promise for the money, which means a Galaxy S24 or newer.
- You want a telephoto lens without Pro pricing, a built-in S Pen or a foldable.
- You work on Windows and want Phone Link’s full features, or you already own a Galaxy Watch.
Good Galaxy picks on Swappa right now: the Galaxy S24 (about $327, updates to about 2031), the Galaxy S25 (about $417), the Galaxy S26 (about $611 with 256GB) and the Galaxy S26 Ultra (about $854). Browse every model on the Galaxy S series page or the iPhone family page.
Still torn? Buy the phone that matches the watch and computer you already own. For the wider picture, see Used Phones: The Complete Guide to Buying and Selling.
What to Check Before You Buy Either One
The basics are the same for both brands, and the linked guides go deeper.
- Locks. An iPhone must be signed out of the previous owner’s Apple Account; see iCloud Activation Lock: How to Avoid It on a Used iPhone. A Galaxy must be free of the owner’s Google and Samsung accounts; see Android FRP: How to Avoid a Locked Used Phone and Samsung Reactivation Lock & Knox: What Buyers Must Know.
- IMEI and carrier. Confirm a clean, paid-off IMEI with IMEI Check: What It Reveals About a Used Phone, and choose between unlocked and carrier models with Unlocked vs. Carrier-Locked Phones: What It Means When Buying Used. You can filter for factory-unlocked phones, such as unlocked Galaxy S25 listings or the unlocked phones page.
- Battery. iPhones show a Battery Health percentage, and Swappa sellers must disclose when an iPhone is below 80% with Apple’s battery message showing; see iPhone Battery Health: What to Check on a Used iPhone. For Galaxy phones, Battery Health in Used Electronics: What to Know explains what to ask the seller.
Real people approve Swappa listings before they go live, and if a phone isn’t as described, you’re entitled to a refund; Marketplace Buyer Protection: How It Works explains the process. Some listings also include a seller-offered one-year limited warranty.
FAQ
Should I buy a used iPhone or a used Samsung Galaxy?
Buy a used iPhone if you use iMessage, FaceTime, an Apple Watch or a Mac, or if you plan to resell within a year or two. Buy a used Galaxy if you want the longest written update promise for the price, a telephoto lens on a non-Pro phone, an S Pen or a foldable. At similar prices on Swappa, the Galaxy S24 and newer are promised updates for longer than comparable iPhones.
Which gets updates longer, an iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy?
On paper, newer Galaxy phones. Samsung promises seven generations of OS upgrades and seven years of security updates for the Galaxy S24 and newer, while Apple’s UK filings promise at least five years of security updates from a model’s release. Apple’s track record runs longer than its promise: iOS 27 still supports the iPhone 11 from 2019.
Is the Galaxy S23 still worth buying in 2026?
Only for short-term use. The Galaxy S23 sells for about $235 on Swappa, but Android 17 is its last major update and Samsung’s security patches end around early 2028. The Galaxy S24, at about $327, is covered to about 2031.
Does an Apple Watch work with a Samsung phone?
No. An Apple Watch requires an iPhone, and watchOS 27 needs an iPhone 11 or later or an iPhone SE (2nd generation or later). Galaxy Watch4 and newer models need an Android phone, and their ECG and blood pressure features need a Galaxy phone.
Do iPhones hold their value better than Samsung phones?
Yes. Industry resale tracking puts typical first-year depreciation at about 28 to 33% for iPhones and 47 to 66% for Galaxy S flagships, though Samsung’s seven-year update policy is narrowing the gap. That makes iPhones easier to resell and used Galaxy phones cheaper to buy.
Can an iPhone text a Samsung phone with RCS?
Yes. iPhones running iOS 18 or later support RCS messaging with Android phones when the carrier supports it, and iOS 26.5 added end-to-end encrypted RCS in beta on supported carriers. iMessage itself still works only between Apple devices.
Conclusion
A used iPhone and a used Galaxy cost about the same at every budget on Swappa, so decide based on what you already own and how long you’ll keep the phone. If your life runs on iMessage, an Apple Watch or a Mac, or you’ll resell soon, buy the iPhone. If you want the longest written update promise, better zoom for less, an S Pen or a foldable, buy a Galaxy S24 or newer.
Shop Used Samsung Galaxy Phones on Swappa
Upgrading from an older phone? Sell your phone on Swappa, or get a quote from Swappa Trade-In if it’s cracked or won’t power on.
