Q2 2026 smartphone trade-in and upgrade trends: Values rise as ownership cycles lengthen

Q2 2026 brought continued momentum for smartphone trade-ins, with longer device ownership, rising trade-in values, and sustained consumer participation. The latest data also points to growing opportunities for consumers to recover value from smartphones and wearables when they’re ready to upgrade.

Q2 2026 trade-in and upgrade highlights

• $1.43 billion returned to U.S. consumers through trade-in programs, up 7% year over year
• iPhone 13 remained the most-turned-in smartphone from trade-in and upgrade programs
• Average iPhone age at trade-in reached 4.03 years, crossing the four-year ownership mark for the first time
• Average trade-in values increased quarter over quarter, rising 11% for iPhones and 3% for Android devices

These results show that consumers are holding on to their smartphones longer while continuing to use trade-in programs to capture value when it’s time to upgrade.

Trade-in value returned to consumers continues to grow

Trade-in programs returned $1.43 billion to U.S. consumers in Q2 2026, compared with $1.34 billion in Q2 2025. That’s a 7% year-over-year increase.

This continued growth reflects ongoing consumer participation in smartphone trade-in programs and the sustained value of recent-generation devices in the secondary market.

As carriers, MSOs, OEMs, and retailers expand trade-in and buyback programs to accept devices in a wider range of conditions, more consumers have opportunities to recover value from their smartphones when they’re ready to upgrade. At the same time, these programs support device value recovery and help maintain a steady supply of devices for the secondary market.

 

Recent-generation smartphones continue to lead trade-ins

The iPhone 13 remained the most-turned-in smartphone from trade-in and upgrade programs in Q2 2026. Models from the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 families continued to dominate the rankings, as they have for the past four quarters.

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra remains the most-turned-in Android device.

iPhone ownership crosses the four-year mark

Consumers are keeping their smartphones longer. In Q2 2026, the average age of iPhones at trade-in reached 4.03 years, up from 3.68 years in Q1 and crossing the four-year threshold for the first time.

Android device age held steady at 3.76 years, while the average across all smartphones reached 3.96 years.

Longer ownership cycles don't mean consumers are abandoning trade-in programs. Instead, the data suggests consumers continue to use trade-in and upgrade programs when the timing and device value make sense.

Smartphone trade-in values rise

Even as consumers keep devices longer, the value available at trade-in increased in Q2.

Average iPhone trade-in values rose 11% quarter over quarter, and average Android trade-in values increased 3%. Higher values can help consumers offset the cost of their next device while supporting the flow of quality used smartphones into the secondary market.

Smartwatch trade-ins create another opportunity for value recovery

Smartphones aren't the only devices delivering value at trade-in. Q2 2026 also highlighted the opportunity for consumers to recover value from premium smartwatches.

The average trade-in value for the Apple Watch Ultra 3 was $341, and the Samsung Galaxy Watch8 Classic averaged $230.

As awareness and availability of smartwatch trade-in programs grow, wearables can provide consumers with another source of value to apply toward their next device.

Trade-ins support a changing secondary device market

Trade-in and upgrade programs play an important role in supporting supply for the secondary market. As component constraints (including DRAM shortages) create pressure on new-device availability and costs, recovered devices can help extend the life of existing inventory and give consumers access to more affordable alternatives.

As consumers hold on to devices longer, Q2 2026 shows that trade-in programs continue to deliver value when they’re ready to upgrade, while helping keep devices in circulation for the secondary market.