Tablets sit between phones and laptops: they do not get replaced every year, so the first-year drop is gentler than a phone. The catch is demand. A tablet that cannot run the current OS or a current stylus is competing with a $150 new budget slate.
Live catalog: 773 tablets · offers $3–$600 · average $102 (displayed listings, working-condition quotes).
Typical first-year loss for a working tablet: about 38%. Year two lands near 52%; year three near 68%.
| Time owned | Value lost | On a $1,000 device | Est. on average offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 months | −12% | $880 | $90 |
| 6 months | −23% | $770 | $78 |
| 9 months | −31% | $690 | $70 |
| 1 year | −38% | $620 | $63 |
| 1.5 years | −45% | $550 | $56 |
| 2 years | −52% | $480 | $49 |
| 2.5 years | −60% | $400 | $41 |
| 3 years | −68% | $320 | $33 |
| 5 years | −84% | $160 | $16 |
“Est. on average offer” applies the curve to today’s average catalog offer — a sketch of age, not a quote for your serial number.
Why tablets lose value
- Accessory ecosystems (Pencil, keyboard) lock people into a generation. When the connector changes, last-gen accessories become a pile of plastic.
- Android tablet software support is uneven. iPadOS longevity is the main reason iPads lead this category.
- Screens crack and batteries swell in bags. Condition is more visible than on a closed laptop.
What still holds a price
- iPad with current or previous Pencil support, or a Samsung/Lenovo slate with a recent chip and keyboard option.
- Uncracked front glass, working digitizer, and original charging cable.
- Cellular models that are carrier-unlocked.
When to sell
Sell when the next iPad or Galaxy Tab event is rumored, not the week after it ships. Education season (late summer) also soaks up used iPads.
How this is built
Percentages are category research (resale studies + typical buyback movement), not IRS MACRS. Dollar ranges are live from our displayed tablets. Your instant quote still depends on exact model, storage, cosmetic grade, and defects — including account locks.
Sources
- SellCell Smartphone & Tech Depreciation Report
- Apple Trade In
- IRS Publication 946 (MACRS 5-year property)
- IRS Publication 946 — computers as 5-year property (accounting contrast, not a street bid).
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FAQ
Are Android tablets worth selling?
Flagship Galaxy Tabs and some Lenovo / Microsoft slates, yes. No-name budget tablets often land near recycle after two years because apps and updates have moved on.
Does cosmetic wear change the depreciation table?
The percentages describe typical working devices in good shape. Heavy wear, missing parts, account locks, or dead boards are extra deductions on top of age. A clean, unlocked unit tracks the curve much more closely.