Remember when flagship phones used to cost under $1,000? The first-gen iPhone sold for $499, which was hefty for its time, but looking back now and comparing it to prices today, we’re sure we’re not alone in missing the good old days. It’s also why it’s not surprising to learn that demand for used phones is experiencing a surge.
More people want used phones more than ever
According to data from both Circana and B-Stock, there’s a surge in demand for used phones. Both companies have recorded all-time high trade-ins of smartphones during the 2025 upgrade cycle. The study also found that despite phones being older and used, they are still in high demand worldwide.
The data also revealed that the majority of phones traded in were from over three generations ago. This would suggest that people are holding onto their phones for longer periods of time. They also found that phones from five generations ago make up 19% of the supply. It doesn’t sound like much, but this is actually a 75% increase from 2022.
But it’s not just the US market that’s demanding used phones. The report revealed that international shipments of US-sourced phones have nearly tripled year-over-year. This suggests that there is a global demand for used phones not just in the US, but around the world.
Why are we not surprised
That being said, this data shouldn’t come as a surprise. For starters, the rising prices of phones is a pretty good reason to check out used phones instead of new. The rising prices combined with inflation and a poor economy mean people don’t have the luxury of buying new every time.
Also, let’s not forget that the tech in our phones has peaked. This isn’t to say there are no more innovations, but the leap from generation to generation isn’t as big as it once was. This means it’s no longer as compelling to upgrade every couple of years, especially if your needs are pretty simple.
Last but not least, the current memory shortage is expected to have an impact on phone prices in the near future. It’s unclear how much more expensive phones will become, but it definitely makes a pretty good argument for buying used. But what do you think? Would you consider buying a used phone?
The post The Used Phone Market is Exploding, Here’s Why appeared first on Android Headlines.
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