Samsung Unpacked Just Happened in London — Your Old Galaxy Is Already Worth Less
Samsung took the stage in London on 22 July 2026 and launched the Galaxy Z Fold 8 lineup. The moment that keynote ended, every Galaxy S24, S25, Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 in the country moved one rung down the ladder. That is not speculation — it is how the second-hand Samsung market has worked for years, and the data backs it up.
If you are sitting on one of those devices and wondering whether to sell, the honest answer is: the best window is open right now, and it will not stay that way for long.
What Samsung Actually Announced
Samsung confirmed three new foldables at the London event. The Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra is the direct successor to the Z Fold 7 — the tall, book-style flagship — while the all-new Galaxy Z Fold 8 (Wide) introduces a shorter, passport-shaped form factor with a wider 4:3 inner display, a device clearly aimed at the space Apple is entering with its foldable iPhone later this year. The Galaxy Z Flip 8 rounds out the trio.
On the hardware side, the Z Fold 8 Ultra is expected to bring meaningful upgrades over its predecessor: a 5,000mAh battery (up from the Z Fold 7's 4,400mAh), 45W wired charging (up from 25W), and an upgraded 50MP ultrawide camera. Samsung is also introducing its Flex Titanium hinge technology, designed to significantly reduce the visibility of the inner screen's crease — one of the most persistent criticisms of the Z Fold range.
Leaked UK pricing from reliable industry sources points to the Z Fold 8 Ultra starting at around £1,899, the new wide Z Fold 8 at around £1,699, and the Z Flip 8 at around £1,149 — all higher than the equivalent devices at last year's launch. Pre-orders opened on the day of announcement, with devices expected to go on sale around 7 August.
How Much Has My Galaxy S24 Dropped in Value After Unpacked?
Enough that selling today beats selling next month. Samsung Galaxy S-series phones typically lose the majority of their value in the first twelve months, and every new Unpacked event accelerates that curve for the outgoing generation.
UK market data from Compare and Recycle shows that across the S21 through S24 generations, first-year depreciation followed a consistent pattern — models saw an initial value drop of around 52–53%, settling near 58% by the end of the first year. The S25 fared worse, losing around 63% of its resale value within twelve months, in part because Samsung's heavy AI marketing positioned older handsets as "legacy" faster than previous cycles.
The S24 specifically has already absorbed most of its post-S25 drop, but the Z Fold 8 announcement puts renewed downward pressure across the entire Samsung range. Second-hand supply spikes after every Unpacked as upgrade-eligible owners list their old devices; more supply with flat demand means lower prices. Condition matters enormously here too — a Galaxy S24 with a cracked screen can fetch 40–50% less than a pristine equivalent.
The Ultra variants hold up better than standard models in percentage terms, but nothing recovers value after a successor launches. That is simply not how this market works.
Should I Sell My Galaxy Z Fold 7 Now the Fold 8 Is Out?
Yes — if you are planning to sell at all, do it now rather than in four weeks' time.
The Z Fold 7 launched in the UK at £1,799 for the base 256GB model in July 2025. Samsung had already started discounting it ahead of today's announcement, with retailer prices dropping and cashback promotions in circulation — a clear signal from the market that the device was approaching end-of-cycle. The Z Fold 8 launch will push the Z Fold 7 price down further, not up.
Foldables are also a specific case worth understanding. Despite their high original prices, early-generation Z Folds depreciate faster than you might expect. Buyer anxiety around hinges and inner screens suppresses confidence in older models once a newer, more refined version exists. The Z Fold 8 Ultra's near-crease-free display and dramatically improved charging speeds give prospective Z Fold buyers a genuine reason to skip the previous generation entirely.
There is also a simple supply dynamic at play. Thousands of UK Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 owners will list their devices in the coming weeks as they pre-order the new models. The more of those that flood the second-hand market, the lower prices go. Selling into that supply surge rather than contributing to it is the rational move.
What Is My Samsung Phone Worth After Galaxy Unpacked 2026?
There is no single number — condition, storage, network lock status and timing all affect what you will actually receive. But here is the directional picture:
- Galaxy S24 / S24+: Well into depreciation territory. Values are currently settling at a fraction of the original launch price, with the post-Unpacked supply spike likely to push them down another notch in the coming weeks. Unlocked devices in excellent condition will always fetch noticeably more than network-locked or cosmetically worn equivalents.
- Galaxy S25 / S25+: Still holding more value than the S24, but the S26 has already done its damage. UK recycler data from April 2026 shows the standard S25 sitting at around £200–£230 at best, down from close to £350 a year ago. The S25 Ultra is holding up better but is also on a downward slope.
- Galaxy Z Fold 7: The most time-sensitive device on this list. It launched at £1,799 and is now being discounted by retailers pre-Fold 8. Second-hand values are moving quickly — every week you wait after today is likely to cost you.
- Galaxy Z Flip 7: Similar logic applies. The Z Flip 8 is announced, pre-orders are open, and Flip 7 supply will grow as existing owners upgrade.
Higher storage configurations do hold better residual value — a 512GB model will typically recover more of its cost than a 256GB equivalent when you sell. Original packaging, if you still have it, can add a small but real premium on premium models.
Why Timing Matters More on Samsung Than on iPhone
Samsung runs two Unpacked events per year — one in January or February for the S-series, one in summer for foldables. Each event is, in effect, the single biggest value-killer for the generation it replaces. Selling a Galaxy S23 the week before the S25 was revealed in early 2025 returned noticeably more than selling it two months later. The same principle applies here for Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 owners today.
Samsung flagships have been improving their resale value retention generation-on-generation — the 7-year software update commitment introduced with the S24 series has had a modest positive effect on buyer confidence in older models. But no software update policy reverses the structural price reset that follows a major new launch. The depreciation trajectory after Unpacked is one-directional.
What This Means for Anyone Looking to Buy Refurbished
The post-Unpacked supply surge is not only relevant if you are selling. For buyers, it means the refurbished market will see more stock of Z Fold 7, Z Flip 7, S24 and S25 devices in the coming weeks, at prices that reflect the new landscape. If you want a capable Samsung foldable or flagship without paying new-device money, this is one of the better windows of the year to find one.
Tech4Cash tests and grades every device before it goes on sale, so you can browse our current refurbished Samsung range with confidence — whether that is a recent S-series or a Z Fold. Every device we sell comes with a warranty, and you can read exactly how we assess condition on our grading page.
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We buy Galaxy S24, S25, Z Fold 7 and Z Flip 7 devices directly from your door across the North East and Manchester. No listings, no waiting for a buyer, no haggling. We verify every device with PhoneCheck and pay instantly.
Get a quote and lock in today's value at sell my phone — before the post-Unpacked supply wave does what it always does to prices.
