How Much Can You Save By Buying A Used Cell Phone?

by Travis Pizel · 4 comments

cell phone
The value of a new car drops thousands of dollars the instant it leaves the dealership lot. During the first year of ownership, that shiny new ride will drop 20% off it’s value, and nearly a third by the end of the second year. This exceptional rate of depreciation is exactly why the financially savvy look to buy a used vehicle, as a great vehicle with a lot of life left can be had at a huge discount.

Cell phones follow the exact same model, because consumers pay a premium for the latest and greatest technology. The definition of what is the latest and greatest changes rapidly, though. Today’s technological marvel is merely tomorrow’s middle of the road phone. In fact, everything changes so fast many of us don’t fully utilize the capabilities of the phone that we carry around each day. For example, I had a Galaxy S4 and after a year I shelled out extra cash to upgrade to the S5. I could barely tell the difference to be honest. I suspect there are many people out there that have the same customer experience as I did.

I decided to do a little research to find out just how much I could save buying a used cell phone that is at least one generation behind the latest and greatest. I searched Craigslist for the two leading flagship smart phones: The Apple iPhone and the Samsung Galaxy.

Samsung Galaxy:

Latest Model: Galaxy S6
Retail Price From Mobile Service Carriers: $695

Option 1: Galaxy S5
Average CraigsList Price: $325

Option 2: Galaxy S4
Average CraigsList Price: $220

Apple iPhone:

Latest Model: iPhone 6 (16GB)
Retail Price From Mobile Service Carriers Price: $650

Option 1: iPhone 5S (16GB)
Average Craigslist Price: $212

Option 2: iPhone 4S (16GB)
Average  Craigslist Price: $124

Buying a Galaxy that is one generation behind will cut the cost of your phone in half when compared to the latest model. For the iPhone, you can get the last generation for less than a third of the cost of a new iPhone 6. That’s a savings of $438! There are undoubtedly those reading this who can easily list the options and features we’d be missing out on if we purchased the previous generation phone, but there are many of us who couldn’t care less about them because we are content to just check our email, update our Facebook status, and call our spouses on our way home from work.

So How Much Can You Save Really?

David’s Note:Times have changed. The economy is good, and many people are again asking whether $438 a year is really that big of a deal. Sure, that $36 or so a month on the surface doesn’t seem like much, but the phone is hardly the only culprit for most people. Add in the $60 for a rarely used cable TV subscription, $200 for not spending the time to refinance, another $100 for not periodically getting a better deal on all the insurances and other monthly services you already pay for, and the total can add up.

Look. I’m not saving that you shouldn’t buy a phone. I have a iPhone 6 myself. All I’m saying is to run the numbers, get off your butt and do what you already know will save you money and you won’t need to complain in a few decades why a couple of your friends can afford to fly everywhere after retirement all the time. Because guess what? You get to join them.

Have you ever purchased a used cell phone? How much did it cost you?

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Several of my friends signed up and they are able to eat at home more because the instructions are easy to follow, making everything convenient. The deal also comes with grocery shopping lists, which saves them so much time. Check it out yourself by clicking here and you too may be able to save more and become healthier at the same time.

Money Saving Tip: An incredibly effective way to save more is to reduce your monthly Internet and TV costs. Click here for the current Verizon FiOS promotion codes and promos to see if you can save more money every month from now on.

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  • Jon @ Penny Thots says:

    I upgraded to an iPhone 5S and bought it on ebay for $300. While I could have gotten it for less when agreeing to a 2 year contract, I was switching from one of the big carries to a pre-paid company that allowed you to bring your phone. So in the end, paying the $300 is saving me money.

    • Travis @enemyofdebt says:

      Good example, Jon. Although with a 2 year contract you really wouldn’t have gotten it for cheaper….you would have just paid the difference through the increased monthly cost of your service. Thanks for reading!

  • Brian @DebtDiscipline says:

    We recently had to buy a replacement phone for my son, we went with a used iphone5 for $200. It has everything he needs and is in great shape. There wa no need for the latest model and expensive price tag.

    • Travis @enemyofdebt says:

      I see you purchased the iPhone5 for about the same amount that I was able to find it for in Craigslist as well, Brian. The going rate for that phone must be fairly consistent. Good example of how a used phone can fill your needs, without having to pay $600-$700 for a new phone. Thanks for sharing!

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