Thieves are returning Android phones because they ‘don’t want no Samsung’

[phillynews215]

TL;DR

• Samsung Galaxy phones appear to be far less desirable to thieves than iPhones, prompting some to give robbery victims their devices back.
• Mobile phone thefts, usually snatch-and-grabs, are rising, but thieves reportedly prefer iPhones due to their enhanced resale value.
• Since thieves don’t want your Samsung Galaxy phone, you might get to keep it in the event of a robbery.

It’s safe to say that, in 2025, the notion that Android phones are cheaper than iPhones simply isn’t true. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra costs more than the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and that’s without getting into the foldable phone market, where Samsung charges $2,000 for the Galaxy Z Fold 7. In fact, Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy Z TriFold could hit the $3,000 mark. Phone thieves apparently didn’t get the memo.

Smartphone theft is rampant in the London, with the UK’s Metropolitan Police reporting 117,211 mobile phone thefts in the city in 2024 alone. While the Metropolitan Police doesn’t track theft data by smartphone brand, it appears thieves have a preference. A feature in the London Centric blog profiled Sam, a 32-year-old Londoner who was robbed for his phone, camera, and beanie hat by an eight-man mob. Shortly after running off, Sam recalls one thief turned around, and handed his Samsung phone back.




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