Trade-in aging is colliding with surging global demand for used smartphones, according to new data released by Circana and B-Stock.

San Mateo, California and Chicago, IllinoisFebruary 11, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The age of traded-in smartphones hit an all-time high during the 2025 upgrade cycle, with most devices being three or more generations older, according to new data from Circana and B-Stock. Data also shows that despite aging trade-in inventory, demand for used smartphones is high globally and is gaining confidence among consumers as more OEMs and carriers invest in certified pre-owned (CPO) programs.

According to Circana data, as of October 2025, about 11% of U.S. consumers own a used smartphone, about 30% of which are certified models. Consumer confidence appears to have improved significantly with CPO programs. Nearly half of used buyers reported that the phone was in “much better” condition than expected. And as concerns about condition, hardware performance, and battery life ease, 75% of consumers who purchased their current phone in new condition report that they would consider a CPO device as an option, demonstrating growing confidence in refurbished devices.

“The used smartphone market in the U.S. remains incredibly resilient, driven by high consumer demand for affordable, high-quality devices and a growing pool of used devices entering the market,” said Brad Akyuz, consultant mobile industry analyst at Circana. “At the same time, the quality of work being done by the wireless community around modifications, including increasing the use of original parts and introducing transparency and standardization across the secondary market, has shifted buyer expectations and improved awareness of the condition of their devices.”

This growing confidence and demand has caused the used market to outpace the new market, and supply has steadily increased as trade-ins have become an essential part of carrier retention programs. But extended ownership cycles are now reshaping used supply. B-Stock data shows that in 2025, 5th generation and above devices (N-5+) will account for 19% of all used smartphone supply, a 75% increase from 2022. At the same time, this same data shows that D and E grade devices have reached all-time highs, indicating a noticeable bias towards lower quality inventory as device life cycles continue to extend.

The domestic market for used supply, especially CPO devices, is shrinking due to the impact of an aging supply pool. “Older, lower-end models are typically not a good fit for U.S.-based CPO programs because they require the latest generation devices in A/B grade status,” said Sean Cleland, vice president of mobile at B-Stock. “As carriers extend payment terms to 36 months, consumers are holding on to their devices longer and fewer trade-ins are meeting these criteria. Trade-in volume may be good, but the mix deviates from what is needed for a CPO program.”

At the same time, international competition to attract supplies overseas is intensifying. A roughly 15% devaluation of the U.S. dollar will make U.S. devices much more attractive to international buyers in 2025, according to B-Stock international shipping data. As a result, international shipments of used US smartphones have nearly tripled compared to the previous year. Dubai and Hong Kong accounted for approximately 80% of global volumes, while the Netherlands and Spain emerged as fast-growing export destinations. Demand was particularly strong across Southern Europe, where older models such as the iPhone 6, 7 and 8 are still actively used.

“International remodelers, especially in regions where labor and parts prices are low, are competing aggressively for older supplies,” Cleland said. “These dynamics are starting to put pressure on domestic refurbishers who have different cost structures or lack access to inventory.”

About Sircana

Circana is a leading provider of technology, AI, and data to fast-moving consumer goods companies, durables manufacturers, and retailers looking to optimize their businesses. Circana’s predictive analytics and technology helps clients measure market share, understand the underlying consumer behaviors that drive it, and accelerate growth. Circana’s Liquid Data® technology platform is based on intelligent algorithms trained on extensive high-quality data sets and 60 years of domain expertise. Circana allows clients to take immediate action to future-proof and advance their growth strategies in an increasingly complex, fast-paced and ever-changing economy.

Introduction to B-Stock

B-Stock is the world’s largest B2B recommerce platform and system of record for all resales. We connect sellers and buyers of returns, trade-ins, and excess inventory through a series of online resale channels. Our customers range from the world’s largest brands and retailers seeking unparalleled inventory resale management to entrepreneurs seeking to source valuable merchandise for their resale businesses.

With hundreds of thousands of transactions completed each year, we believe technology and access drive a healthy B2B resale ecosystem. B-Stock provides buyers with a simple, direct way to purchase valuable products directly from retailers and provides sellers with a technology-driven replacement for traditional reselling methods while improving operational efficiency, recovery rates and cycle times.