Resale platform Sell Cell cautions buyers that treating the new iPhone Ultra as a short‑term test could cost nearly a thousand dollars. Its data shows foldable phones shed 64.6 % of value in the first year, the steepest drop across any category. Traditional smartphones average a 55 % loss, meaning even pricey devices lose substantial equity quickly.

Apple’s flagship iPhone 16 retained 51.4 % of its price after twelve months, while the 256 GB iPhone 16 Pro Max held 56.4 %. Extrapolating those rates to the $2,000 Ultra suggests a possible depreciation of $1,292 in its first year. The figure exceeds the typical $1,000 loss but remains lower than foldable averages because iPhones historically preserve value better.

For shoppers hoping to trial the Ultra and flip it later, the math warns against assuming a harmless experiment. Even if the phone lands near the iPhone 16 retention range, owners still surrender roughly $1 000 after twelve months. Consumers should weigh that risk against Apple’s 14‑day return window, which remains the only cost‑free exit.

The takeaway: the iPhone Ultra’s premium price tag translates into steep early depreciation, meaning owners lose roughly half the device’s value within a year. Buyers hoping to treat the phone as a disposable test unit should reconsider, as the financial hit outweighs the convenience of a short‑term trial.