In the past few years, phone trade-ins have become more and more popular. With the cost of new smartphones climbing higher every year, more people are choosing to sell their old devices to fund an upgrade instead of letting them gather dust in a drawer.
So what phones are people actually trading in right now? This article will answer that question.
Thanks to some behind-the-scenes access to SellMyCellPhone, we’ve gotten fresh data showing the most popular trade-ins over the last 7 days. So without further ado, let's get right into it.
How This Data Was Collected?
Shh… can you keep a secret? I have access to the backend of one of the best online platforms for selling phones quickly and for the most money. I quietly logged in, grabbed the numbers, and made a clean exit. Don’t tell anyone!
| Source | SellMyCellPhone internal data |
| Timeframe | Last 7 days |
| Data type | Completed trade-ins only |
| What this shows | Devices users are actively selling right now |
Top 12 Most Popular Trade-In Devices Right Now
Based on completed trade-ins over the past week, here are the devices users are selling the most:
Apple Dominates Trade-In Interest:
Apple clearly leads the pack when it comes to trade-ins right now. Over 75% of the most popular devices being sold are iPhones, showing just how strong Apple’s grip on the resale market remains even as reports suggest iPhone value retention is starting to soften.
What makes this especially interesting isn’t just Apple’s dominance, but the wide generational spread. Models ranging from the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 all the way up to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 15 series are being traded in side by side.
of top trade-ins are iPhones
Why iPhones Hold Their Resale Strength
- ✅ Long-term software support
- ✅ Reliable performance even years later
- ✅ Consistent demand in the second-hand market
👉 See our full breakdown of the most popular iPhone trade-ins →
Insights From the Trade-In Data:
First, there’s battery health depreciation. After two to four years of daily use, battery health usually drops enough to become noticeable. At that point, users face a choice: replace the battery or upgrade entirely. For many, trading in and getting a new device just seems like the better choice.
Then there’s software pressure and feature gaps. New iOS versions are increasingly designed around newer hardware, and while Apple does a good job optimising older phones, software can’t replace physical features like Dynamic Island, the Action Button, or camera upgrades.
Finally, these phones sit right in the typical upgrade window. Many XR, 11, and 12 users are at the stage where selling now still brings in decent value, enough to soften the cost of a new device. Waiting longer usually means watching that value drop even further.
Older iPhones Still Rank Highly
Older iPhone models like the iPhone XR, iPhone 11, and iPhone 12 series continue to attract strong trade-in volume — and value — even years after launch.
Battery wear: After 2–4 years, battery health drops enough that many users choose to upgrade rather than replace it.
Feature pressure: Software updates can’t replace hardware features like Dynamic Island, the Action Button, or camera upgrades.
Perfect timing: XR, 11, and 12 owners are at peak resale value. Waiting longer usually means getting less.
Samsung Trade-Ins: Flagships First
While Apple dominates overall volume, Samsung continues to see strong trade-in activity — especially at the high end.
- Galaxy Ultra models appear most often, showing premium Android users upgrade faster.
- Galaxy A-series phones (A15, A54) remain relevant thanks to high volume.
- Foldables gaining traction: The Galaxy Z Fold5 signals early adopters cycling to newer designs — or back to traditional phones.
While Apple dominates the list, Samsung still makes a solid showing. At the same time, midrange Galaxy A-series phones like the A15 and A54 are still being traded in regularly. They may not be flagships, but their popularity and sheer volume keep them very relevant in the resale market. With growing adoption for Samsung’s foldables, these devices seem to be gaining ground in the resale market, hence the Galaxy Z Fold 5, making this list. This could signal early adopters moving on to newer foldables, or maybe back to traditional slab phones altogether.
What This Tells Us About 2026 Trade-In Trends:
Apple: The Upgrade Wave Continues
Expect increasing trade-in volume from iPhone 11, iPhone 12, and iPhone 13 owners. These devices are hitting the end of the typical ownership cycle, and each new iPhone release adds more pressure to upgrade — and sell.
Samsung: Flagships Drive the Market
For Samsung, expect Galaxy S23 through S25 Ultra models to dominate future trade-ins. Premium Android users tend to upgrade faster, pushing older flagships into the resale market sooner.
What This Means for Sellers?
If your phone appears anywhere on this list, that’s a strong signal that now is a smart time to sell. Demand is high but value always drops as newer models enter the market.
If you’re already considering an upgrade, acting while demand is strong can make a noticeable difference in how much you get paid.
Final Thoughts: What This Resale Data Really Shows
The data reveals a lot, but one trend stands out clearly Apple continues to dominate the resale market. iPhones consistently appear at the top, driven by longer software support, strong brand loyalty, and reliable trade-in demand.
That said, Android is far from out of the race. Samsung Galaxy devices still make a strong showing, especially premium models that hold value well as users upgrade more frequently.
If your phone appears anywhere on this list, that’s a strong signal that now is the right time to sell. Resale values don’t stay high forever and waiting almost always means getting less.
Check your phone’s value today on SellMyCellPhone.com and see what it’s worth right now.
Pro Tip: Phone resale prices drop fastest right after new model launches. If you’re already thinking about upgrading, sell your iPhone or trade your Samsung Galaxy while demand is still strong and payouts are higher.