After a record 2025, first-quarter growth shows how trade-ins, protection, and a strong pre-owned smartphone market are helping consumers get more value from every upgrade

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ), a global company that redefines the boundaries of protection – safeguarding and servicing connected devices, homes, automobiles, and commercial equipment in partnership with the world's most successful brands, today released its Q1 2026 Mobile Trade-In and Upgrade Industry Trends Report. Insights from the report show that consumers received $1.63 billion in value through mobile trade-in programs in the first quarter of 2026, up 31% from the same period in 2025.

Assurant's latest report points to the growing role of smartphone trade-ins, which can return hundreds of dollars in value to consumers, helping offset higher upgrade costs. When paired with protection plans that help keep phones in good condition, trade-ins can turn routine device care into meaningful savings at upgrade.

The growing market for refurbished smartphones is also supporting trade-in value. As demand for high-quality pre-owned devices increases, trade-in programs provide a consistent supply. This helps strengthen trade-in offers while expanding access to more affordable smartphones for consumers who choose not to buy new.

"As smartphone prices continue to rise, consumers are looking for smarter ways to manage upgrade costs – and trade-ins, especially when paired with protection, are playing a bigger role," said Biju Nair, EVP & President, Global Connected Living at Assurant. "This data shows trade-ins are doing more than helping consumers save on a new device. They're also supporting a growing market for high-quality refurbished smartphones, giving more people access to newer, reliable devices at a lower price and making it easier for consumers to access the full connected experience offered by premium device brands."

Protection plans do more than help consumers manage unexpected issues; they also preserve device condition over time. Devices in better condition typically qualify for higher trade-in values, with many consumers receiving up to 50% more than those with excessive wear or damage. That makes protection an important part of the value equation when it's time to upgrade.

Q1 2026 HIGHLIGHTS

Continued Growth: The first quarter of 2026 was the industry's most active on record, based on volume of devices traded in and total value returned to consumers.
Device Age: The average age of traded-in devices held steady at 3.81 years, compared with 3.83 years for full-year 2025.
Top Devices: The iPhone 13 remained the most traded-in Apple model, while the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra led among Android devices.

The report highlights how simple choices across the device lifecycle, such as trading in a smartphone instead of discarding or leaving it unused, can create meaningful value for consumers. Trade-ins can return hundreds of dollars toward a replacement device, extend device life, and support the growing market for pre-owned smartphones. They also reduce waste by keeping devices in use longer, reinforcing the shift toward a more circular mobile economy.

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About Assurant

Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) redefines the boundaries of protection – safeguarding and servicing connected devices, homes, automobiles, and commercial equipment in partnership with the world's most successful brands. As a Fortune 500 company operating in 21 countries, Assurant leads the way in leveraging insights and technology to transform customer connections that build loyalty and drive value.

Learn more at assurant.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260616953531/en/

Media Contact:

Louis Masses

Director, Connected Living Communications

Louis.Masses@Assurant.com

Assurant Reports $1.6 Billion in Value Returned to Consumers in Q1 2026, Highlighting How Trade-Ins Help Offset Smartphone Upgrade Costs