Price Volatility, Rumors and Supply Shortages - The Used Market Rollercoaster
Every year around the end of the Summer, rumors, questions and uncertainty spark across the pre-owned device market. Some actors thrive in this period, others decide to wait and see.
2026 started strong: Assurant reported a 31% year-over-year increase in customer trade-ins, with returns reaching $1.63 billion during Q1 alone. Then, the artificial intelligence boom has caused chip and memory shortages; coupled with the current world conflicts, newer mobile device construction and shipment have slowed down. In Q2, IDC revised their forecast in July: worldwide smartphones shipment to decline by 13.9% (vs 12.9% in February) in 2026.
On another hand, rumors suggest Apple will release the iPhone 18 series between September 2026 and March 2027, due to global logistics constraints. A new flip phone may join the iPhone 18 lineup. After increasing their Macbook prices in the last few months, the 18 series should follow the same trend. Some experts even say the iPhone 17 series may maintain its MSRP prices a full year after launch — a first for Apple.
Increased pricing and supply shortages of newer devices imply more secondary market activity. But, Verizon, in its Q2 earnings call, reported equipment revenue down 20%, over $1.2 billion, and device upgrade volume down 27% year-over-year. Reduced subsidy offers for consumers trading in an old device to buy a new one partly explain this, leading to fewer used devices entering the wholesale market and pushing some B2B auction prices up. A couple of Cellbie partners and even competitors confirmed the latter. On top of this, carriers and insurers started to significantly reserve their higher-end grades (e.g.: A Stock) for their own channels.
Last but not least, the US Government will implement new tariffs for international trade, especially between Canada, Mexico and the US. While the impacts to used mobile devices are unclear at the moment of writing this piece, it will most likely spark more price volatility locally in each market and for international traders due to supply constraints concerns.
Cellbie's insider perspective
Price trends are following the usual seasonality. While some sellers on Cellbie are trying to liquidate their stock before the Apple event, the market is transacting as usual. Recent price analysis on our platform didn't show price increases during the summer, aside from a few minor exceptions. iPhone 17 series volume, meanwhile, is climbing steadily.
Still, end-consumer demand isn't slowing down. Yes, consumers are now holding to their devices for almost 4 years on average, but affordability and pressure to keep up with tech trends will have them trade their devices in somewhere. If not at Verizon, Apple, or selling them on eBay or Facebook Marketplace, they will enter the pipeline via niche channels.
Diversifying your source of supply, working with different consumer segments and offering competitive buyback prices will only increase your foot traffic and/or brand recognition. At Cellbie, we believe in growing the awareness of valuable broken, used devices to keep the circularity flowing. One man's trash is another's treasure.
Ready to source or sell quality devices in bulk? Join Cellbie by reaching contact@cellbie.com