Record trade-in values rise as consumers accelerate AI device upgrades

AI features drive early upgrades

The latest results support earlier expectations that consumers would accelerate upgrades to newer smartphones offering more personalized AI capabilities. Major global carriers reported increased shipments of flagship devices during the quarter, indicating that recently released, high-value models are entering the trade-in ecosystem at a faster pace. This shift is helping fuel growth across the secondary mobile market as more advanced devices become available for refurbishment and resale.

Industry leaders highlight ecosystem impact

According to Assurant, the sharp rise in trade-in activity reflects broader trends in affordability and sustainability. The company stated that consumers are trading in later-generation devices sooner in order to access AI-driven experiences and improved performance. This influx of newer, higher-value devices is expected to influence additional market trends that Assurant aims to examine in future reporting.

Year-to-date value surpasses € 4 billion

By the end of Q3, trade-in programs had returned € 4.17 billion in value to consumers in 2025. This represents a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024. With one quarter remaining, the market is on track to exceed last year’s record of € 4.5 billion.

5G models dominate trade-ins

For the first time, the top five devices turned in through trade-in and upgrade programs were all 5G-enabled smartphones. These included models exclusively from the Apple iPhone 13 and Apple iPhone 14 families, demonstrating a clear shift away from older generations. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G remained the most frequently turned-in Android device for the fifth consecutive quarter.

Older generations fall from the top rankings

A notable milestone occurred this quarter as the Apple iPhone 11, introduced six years ago, did not appear in the top five most traded devices for the first time in 17 consecutive quarters. This absence likely played a role in reducing the average device age at turn-in.

Device age at trade-in declines

After reaching an average device age of 3.88 years in Q2, the metric dipped to 3.8 years in Q3. The decrease suggests that consumers are upgrading earlier, particularly as AI capabilities become central to the appeal of newer smartphone models.

Circular economy benefits increase

With more advanced 5G devices featuring improved processors, batteries, and cameras entering the secondary market, higher-value inventory is supporting continued growth of the circular device economy. This trend is reinforcing the importance of trade-in programs as a driver of sustainable device lifecycle management.