Resale values for older Samsung Galaxy phones vary by selling method
Older Samsung Galaxy phones can still be worth hundreds of dollars, but the amount depends on how you sell them. Buyback services and trade-ins are easier, while selling directly to another person can bring in more money, with extra work and fees.
As of 23 October 2026, top cash offers for like-new 256GB models ranged from $449 for the S24 Ultra to $136 for the S21 Ultra; the 128GB S20 Ultra also drew a $136 offer, though from just one of 17 compared stores. Swappa’s average sale prices were higher, including $600 for the S24 Ultra and $481 for the S23 Ultra, before its 3% seller fee and payment processing fees. Software support is another factor: Samsung promised seven years of updates for the S24 series, while support for the S22 series is expected to end in early 2027.
In short
- Private sales can pay more than buyback offers.
- S24 Ultra cash offers reached $449.
- Check software support when buying an older Galaxy.
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The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Selling directly to another person can return more money, as the reported Swappa averages exceed the top buyback offers for several models, even after accounting for fees. For owners willing to handle listing, buyer communication and payment, that extra effort may be worthwhile, particularly for newer phones that still have substantial software support.
The case against
Buyback services and trade-ins offer a simpler, more predictable sale, without the time and uncertainty of finding a buyer or handling a transaction. Their lower offers may suit owners who value convenience, and older phones nearing the end of software support may have less scope to command a higher private-sale price.
Explained simply
Samsung’s Galaxy S series is a line of Android smartphones that includes models such as the S20, S21, S22, S23 and S24. Each generation has several versions, including Ultra models, which are larger and typically sold at higher prices when new.
Owners can sell a phone to a buyback service, trade it in towards another device, or list it for sale to another person on a marketplace such as Swappa. Direct sales can bring a higher price, but sellers handle the listing and handover and may pay platform or payment fees.
A phone’s condition, storage size and age affect its resale value. How long it will continue receiving software updates can also matter to buyers, as updates provide new features and security fixes.
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Originally published by Engadget as “Here’s how much your older Samsung phones are actually worth”.