People appear to be holding on to their Android devices longer – even longer than iPhone users during a year where companies paid the most to customers trading used phones.
Samsung users generally anticipate the first days before launch, during the pre-order phase of any new flagship phone. That short window is filled with boosted trade-in credit for older devices, and it’s genuinely one of the best times to upgrade, if that’s your goal. Recent data notes that last year was filled with Galaxy S22 Ultras traded for the latest phones, and people got the most back overall.
Between Android and iOS devices last year, the credit and cash customers received in return for their trade-in devices jumped significantly overall (via Assurant). The number rocketed to $6.4 billion in the pockets of customers, up from $4.5 billion in 2024. That accounts for iPhones and Android devices, of course, but it marks a rather large jump in what was otherwise a steady trend.
That 42% increase YoY highlights record-beating quarters, like a $2.8 billion return in Q4. That lines up with Apple’s iPhone 17 launch, and people chose to trade in their iPhone 13 more often than not.
On the Android side, the Galaxy S22 Ultra takes top spot as the most traded phone. That nearly lines up with Assurant’s data, suggesting the average Android device age is almost 4 years old. If users were trading their Galaxy S22 Ultras in for the Galaxy S25, that 3-year difference is slightly below the average time people waited before pulling the trigger.
The data also notes that users appear to be keeping their Android phones for longer. Instead of just 3.52 years, people are waiting 3.96 years, on average, before they trade a device in. That’s most likely aided by Samsung and other OEMs intitatives to extend support periods. The current Galaxy S flagship carries a 7-year support period, which has become the standard.
There is likely nuance beneath the surface of these numbers. For instance, this may not account for changing device costs, boosted trade events, and other factors at play. Still, it should be interesting to see what 2026 has to offer, considering most devices are fighting price increases and companies like Samsung are starting to rethink supply chains to accommodate.
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