The Future of Smartphones in a Still-Undefined Market

Over the past several months, it’s become clear that people all around the world have to embrace a new normal. With businesses of every size and industry affected, mobile is not the exception, and different processes and device developments will surely unfold in the coming months. That said, let’s take a look at what the mobile landscape may look like in the not-so-distant future:

Will New Phones Really be Worth It?
Over the upcoming months, demand for phones can be expected to stagnate a bit. Why? Users may be considering upgrades more closely, especially when it comes to devices that are more than $1,000 and offer little to no significant technological upgrades. We’ve shared in the past that consumers are keeping phones longer these days. That said, 5G is still coming in hot, with phones already available. 

Price vs Value
Given the current state of the market, phone developers will likely have two options:

1. Keep the same timeline of phone releases but reduce prices 
2. Release new phones at higher prices, but with better value propositions 

Option 1 leaves consumers with the same options they may already have, but the expectation that they need to pay more. And as we’ve covered, new phones—like the iPhone SE—have released at lower prices, giving consumers an inexpensive alternative to the latest phones—which sets a new precedent for other phones. Option 2 will allow for consumers to keep upgrading their phones and get the newest gadgets on the market, getting more bang for their buck.

What Can be Expected?
We’ve talked about the growth of the mobile secondary market and how phones are being kept longer and longer. And as the current market climate is showing, that trend may continue. As OEMs and resellers grapple with the new norm and adjust for consumer priorities, there is a whole new promise in the secondary market of used phones that are still in circulation. Recent years have seen the trade-in age for phones increase, which has caused the value of those phones to go up year over year. But the new norm may also mean new discounts and new promotional offers for new phones: 

• Though the promotions may be different, new phones will continue to enter the market, making room for advancement
• Current phones may be left for a more affordable downgrade or trade-in, leaving carriers room to resell more devices 
• This will create an environment in which all parties—consumers, carriers and OEMs—can win 

As the next few months play out, large carriers and OEMs can move devices through B2B resale channels and keep the mobile wheels turning. One such channel is B-Stock. The world’s largest wireless manufacturers, carriers, and trade-in companies are currently leveraging our B2B marketplace platform for their trade-in and excess mobile devices and accessories. Across our network, more than 3 million phones and 5 million accessories are sold annually.

Visit our mobile sourcing page for a look at our 10+ marketplaces. And for more information on selling via our mobile marketplace platform, please download our Mobile Brochure.