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.
Models ranging from the iPhone XR and iPhone 11 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:
Battery health depreciation is a key factor. After 2–4 years, users choose to upgrade instead of replacing batteries.
Software pressure and feature gaps influence upgrade timing. Dynamic Island, Action Button, or camera improvements drive sales.
Typical upgrade window: XR, 11, 12 users can still get decent resale value if sold now.
Apple: Older Models Still Rank
iPhone XR, 11, 12 continue to attract strong trade-in volume & value.
Battery wear: After 2–4 years, battery health drops, prompting upgrades.
Feature pressure: Software updates cannot replace physical upgrades.
Timing: XR, 11, 12 owners are at peak resale value.
Samsung Trade-Ins: Flagships First
Galaxy Ultra devices dominate trade-ins, while A-series maintain relevance.
- ✅ Galaxy Ultra models appear most often
- ✅ Galaxy A-series phones remain relevant
- ✅ Foldables gaining traction (Z Fold5)
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.