In London, a growing trend has emerged in which street thieves who snatch smartphones are handing back Android devices—particularly those from Samsung—telling victims “we don’t want no Samsung” and casting the phones aside in favour of Apple‘s more lucrative iPhones. Reports cite multiple incidents including one in which an eight‐member gang grabbed a phone, camera and hat, only for one thief to turn around and return the Samsung with that exact line. Experts point to the higher resale value of iPhones on the black market as the key reason why criminals skip Android devices, despite flagship Androids retailing at similar or even higher price points. Security features such as theft locks are in place across both platforms, so the deciding factor appears to be purely economic rather than technical.
Sources: Android Authority, Sam Mobile
Key Takeaways
– Thieves increasingly prefer iPhones over Android devices because resale value drives their risk/reward calculus.
– Even premium Android phones (e.g., Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra) are being rejected by thieves in London because they recognise the lower secondary‐market demand.
– Strong anti-theft features exist across platforms, but in practice the device brand and post-theft resale economics appear to matter more to the criminal than the inherent technical security.
In-Depth
In what may be one of the stranger twists in urban crime trends of 2025, nail-biting smartphone users in London may just have stumbled onto a peculiar bit of good fortune: if your phone is an Android—especially a Samsung—they may hand it back. At first glance this reads like satire: a thief grabbing a phone only to casually discard it because of its make. But multiple independent reports from the UK capital indicate that’s exactly what is happening. According to a recent article from Android Authority, published November 18, thieves who snatch Samsung Galaxy phones are sometimes returning them on the spot, muttering things like “Don’t want no Samsung.”
Further corroboration comes from SamMobile, which relays accounts of e-bike ride-by thieves in London who, upon finishing the snatch, stop, examine the stolen device, then toss it aside or hand it back when they realise it’s an Android. Likewise, 9to5Mac reports that the website London Centric logged several stories where Android users only realised they had been mugged when the device was returned—while lesser items like hats or cameras were taken.
Why is this happening? The explanation proffered by analysts and security advisors strongly centres on the second-hand market value of devices. While flagships from both Apple and Android makers may cost similar amounts when new (for example, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra is priced similarly to the iPhone 17 Pro Max), the residual value diverges significantly. According to cybersecurity advisor Jake Moore of ESET, “Apple devices have a higher secondhand market value and it makes more economic sense to pursue these … rather than cheaper models with a lower secondhand price.” (Android Authority) Thieves are opportunists; the faster and more reliably they can unload stolen goods for cash, the less risk they face. Android handsets appear to be a less favourable bet for them.
Security architectures play their part too. Android devices now offer measures like Theft Detection Lock and Factory Reset Protection; iPhones similarly offer Activation Lock and other anti-theft protocols. But the presence of those features across both platforms means they are unlikely to be the differentiator for thieves. Instead, as the data suggest, it’s all about the bottom line. Lower “liquid” resale value means less incentive for the criminal, which in turn means Android devices may be spared more often.
From a practical standpoint, this trend could offer some comfort to Android users, especially Samsung Galaxy owners. It is not a guarantee of safety, of course — theft is still rampant in London (with 117,211 mobile phone thefts reported in 2024 by the Metropolitan Police). (Android Authority) But it does highlight a subtle shift in the underground economy of stolen goods. If criminals consciously prefer iPhones because of their easier monetisation, then owning an Android may be an inadvertent theft deterrent.
From a conservative perspective, this shift underscores a broader principle: criminals respond to incentives. The higher the expected payoff of a crime (and the lower the expected risk), the more likely the crime will be committed. Here, we see that the payoff for stealing iPhones remains strong, while the payoff for high-end Androids is increasingly marginal. Rather than rely on the tech ecosystem or law enforcement to change the landscape, consumers and policy-makers alike should recognise that economics—and simple incentives—drive behaviour even in the underworld of stolen goods.
In that light, Android users may find themselves in the unexpected position of being slightly safer — not because their phone is inherently more secure (though many models are) but because their device is less appealing to thieves. That said, “less appealing” is not “invulnerable.” Good practices still apply: ensure you enable device-location services, strong locks, two-factor authentication for your accounts, and remain aware of your surroundings particularly in crowded or high-theft areas. As the security world emphasises, no technical defence is foolproof, but when even thieves begin to pick and choose their victims by brand, the equilibrium shifts in favour of the consumer.
So while no one should let their guard down, Android users—especially of Samsung devices—can take a modest measure of relief: you might not be on the criminal’s shortlist.