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

Key Terms

trade-in programs financial

Trade-in programs are initiatives where consumers exchange an old product, such as electronics or vehicles, to receive a discount or credit toward a new purchase. These programs encourage ongoing consumption and help companies manage inventory and customer loyalty. For investors, trade-in programs can impact a company's sales strategies, revenue, and customer engagement efforts.

protection plans financial

Protection plans are optional service agreements or warranties sold with products that cover repairs, replacements, or certain losses beyond the standard warranty — think of them as insurance you buy for a phone or appliance. Investors care because these plans create recurring or deferred revenue, affect profit margins and potential future liabilities, and signal customer loyalty and aftermarket sales that can stabilize and boost long-term cash flow.

refurbished smartphones technical

Refurbished smartphones are previously owned or returned phones that have been inspected, repaired if needed, cleaned, and repackaged for resale, often with replaced parts and a limited warranty. For investors, they matter because they create an additional revenue stream, can improve margins compared with new-device sales, affect inventory and resale value, and signal a company’s approach to cost control and sustainability—think of them like certified pre-owned cars for the phone market.

pre-owned smartphones technical

Pre-owned smartphones are mobile devices that have previously been used by one or more owners and are resold rather than sold as new; they can be sold as-is, inspected and cleaned, or professionally refurbished and certified. For investors, this market matters because it creates an additional revenue stream, often with higher margins and different risk profiles than new-device sales, and it signals consumer demand, product lifespan, and potential costs for warranties and returns—think of them like used cars in the phone market.

circular mobile economy technical

A circular mobile economy describes a system where mobile devices and related components are designed, used, repaired, reused, and recycled so materials and value stay in use longer rather than being thrown away. For investors, it matters because it changes where profits and costs come from—shifting value toward services like refurbishment, leasing and recycling, reducing raw-material risk, and exposing companies to new regulatory and consumer-demand trends; think of it like swapping disposable purchases for durable, service-backed products.

See more from StockTitan in Google Search and AI answers. Adds StockTitan as a preferred source · opens Google

Add on Google Not now

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

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- 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.

# # #

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

Source: Assurant, Inc.