Observed Signal · Sep 14, 2026 · Market Analysis · Source: t3n · Impact: 1/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Resale Market for Used Smartphones Growing
An analysis by B2B resale portal B-Stock indicates that the resale value of used smartphones has increased in recent months, making it worthwhile for consumers to sell old devices. The market has seen a rise in prices for devices in various conditions, with C-grade devices now outselling D-grade ones. Specific examples include the iPhone 17 Pro Max averaging $940 and the Galaxy S23 Ultra reaching $425 after the Galaxy S26 launch. B-Stock suggests that manufacturers are buying older devices to recover valuable components for reuse, which is becoming increasingly important due to the RAM crisis. This trend may help stabilize device prices, though major manufacturers still prefer raising new device prices.
Niche market trend; limited direct impact on AdTech industry.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- B-Stock analysis shows improved resale prices for used smartphones in 2026.
- In H1 2026, C-grade smartphones comprised 37.8% of sales, surpassing D-grade at 31.6%.
- The iPhone 17 Pro Max averaged $940 in resale value in the last quarter.
- The Galaxy S23 Ultra sold for an average of $425 in June 2026.
- B-Stock attributes the trend to manufacturers buying old devices for component recovery.
Connected Companies & Entities
2 Entities mapped“So ist es etwa beim iPhone 17 Pro Max der Fall. Im Schnitt über alle Zustandsstufen hinweg konnte das Apple-Smartphone im vergangenen Quarta...”
“Nach dem Launch des Galaxy S26 stiegen die Preise anderer Samsung-Smartphones an....”
Ontology Mapping & Concepts
Related Market Signals & Shifts
Recent verified developments and strategic activity across this market segment.
RAM Shortage Raises Used Smartphone Prices on B-Stock
An analysis by B2B resale portal B-Stock shows that used smartphones are fetching higher prices due to market shifts. In the first half of 2026, Grade C devices overtook Grade D as the most sold, capturing 37.8% of sales. Prices for devices like the iPhone 17 Pro Max have risen, averaging $940 in the last quarter. B-Stock suggests manufacturers are buying older devices to recover components like cameras and displays, driven by the ongoing RAM crisis. This trend may help mitigate rising device costs, though major manufacturers are still raising prices for new smartphones.
Samsung Unveils S26 Series Amid Memory Chip Shortage
Samsung Electronics unveiled the S26 series of flagship smartphones, with the S26 priced at $899, the S26+ at $1,099 and the S26 Ultra at $1,299. Two of the new models cost $100 more than their S25 predecessors while the S26 Ultra's starting price remained unchanged. Samsung emphasizes faster processing, expanded AI-driven features (photo editing, document scanning) and a new privacy display on the S26 Ultra that limits side-angle visibility. The launch comes amid a global memory chip shortage driven by rapid AI infrastructure expansion; analysts from CSS Insight and Counterpoint Research expect elevated memory prices to push up average smartphone selling prices in 2026 and for shortages to persist into 2027 or early 2028. Samsung says it is leveraging strategic partnerships and supplier positioning to mitigate supply impacts.
Smartphone makers push leasing and subscription ownership
As premium smartphones become more expensive and replacement cycles lengthen, manufacturers including Apple and Samsung are expanding leasing, subscription and guaranteed buyback programs to make upgrades more attractive and to secure a steady stream of trade-in devices for refurbishment. Apple launched an Upgrade leasing program in the U.S. with Klarna, while Samsung runs Galaxy Forever in India. Analysts and market firms (Counterpoint Research, IDC) report longer replacement cycles and higher average device lifetimes, which is driving experimentation with alternative ownership and financing models. Startups such as BytePe, Raylo, Grover and Cashify are also building subscription and refurbishment businesses around this trend. Industry voices note these programs support secondary markets and customer retention, but whether leasing is financially better depends on individual upgrade frequency and device resale values.
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