Thieves favour iPhones over Samsung for resale value

• The iPhone vs. Samsung rivalry now has an unexpected real-world outcome: your phone’s brand could influence its appeal—even to a thief.

Londoners facing the threat of street robberies have recently discovered an unusual silver lining—having a Samsung smartphone might increase the chances of getting your device back from a thief.

Despite the proliferation of device tracking tools, smartphone theft remains rampant. In 2024 alone, over seven million phones were reported lost or stolen worldwide. London has become ground zero for this issue, with phones worth an estimated £50 million (over $65 million) stolen last year, according to the UK Parliament’s research and information service.

In a surprising twist, multiple reports from local social media and forums, including London Centric, show thieves returning Android-powered phones—specifically Samsung models—to victims after realizing the devices weren’t iPhones.

In one incident, a group of eight robbers returned a Samsung device to their victim, saying, “Don’t want no Samsung.” Such anecdotes point to a growing trend: criminals are becoming increasingly selective about the smartphones they target.

Analysts attribute this selectiveness to the higher resale value of iPhones on the secondhand market. Studies by online phone reseller UpTrade and platforms like DHgate consistently find that iPhones retain their value better than Android alternatives, including the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Apple’s unified product ecosystem and strong resale demand make used iPhones a more profitable catch for thieves.

Device tracking and the persistence of theft

While smartphones are easier to track and disable than ever before, these technologies have not curbed the underlying incentive to steal. Stolen devices continue to find new life not only in resale markets but also as sources for parts or even as vectors for data-driven fraud. Criminals are simply adapting—preferring iPhones for their lucrative payoffs and discarding less valuable brands on the spot.

Victims report falling prey to classic theft tactics, from grab-and-go scooter snatches to distraction-based muggings. The only difference in some of today’s stories is that Android owners, in particular, have sometimes found their devices returned by dissatisfied thieves.