The mobile device trade-in market continued its upward trajectory in Q3 2025, delivering yet another record-breaking quarter. According to Assurant’s latest Mobile Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report, consumers received $1.59 billion in value for trading in their devices, a 46% increase year-over-year and a 19% jump over Q2 2025.
This marks the third consecutive quarter of record-breaking growth, reinforcing the strong momentum seen throughout 2025.
Year-to-date value surges past $4 billion
So far in 2025, trade-in programs have returned $4.17 billion to consumers, a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2024. With one quarter remaining, the industry is on pace to surpass last year’s record total of $4.5 billion.
The surge in trade-in value coincides with increased global smartphone shipments from both Samsung and Apple, according to IDC, signaling strong consumer demand for the latest flagship devices.
All top five devices were 5G-enabled
For the first time, the top five devices turned in from trade-in and upgrade programs were all 5G smartphones. The list was exclusively made up of models from the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 families, marking a shift away from older generations. The Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G remained the top Android device turned in for the fifth consecutive quarter, underscoring its popularity and strong resale value.
For the first time in 17 consecutive quarters, the iPhone 11 — introduced six years ago — did not appear in the top five most turned-in devices, which likely contributed to a decrease in device age at turn-in.
Device age at turn-in slightly decreases
After reaching a record-high average age of 3.88 years in Q2, the average age of devices turned in during Q3 dipped slightly to 3.8 years. This suggests consumers are upgrading sooner, likely driven by the appeal of AI-enabled features and enhanced performance in newer models.
Looking ahead
As consumers continue to embrace AI-powered smartphones, trade-in and upgrade programs are playing a critical role in making these innovations more accessible. With Q4 underway, the industry is poised to close out 2025 with another record-breaking year, benefiting consumers, mobile providers, and the circular economy alike.
The Assurant Q3 2025 Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report is available for download here.