About 63% of Used Phones Were Released at Least 3 Years Ago, with the Galaxy S22 Ultra Selling the Most
An analysis of used phones whose sales were completed in 2026 found that smartphones released at least 3 years earlier accounted for approximately 63%. Older phones were not necessarily difficult to sell, and models such as the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Note20, and iPhone12 Pro, all released at least 5 years earlier, also recorded completed sales.
However, the 63% figure does not represent statistics for South Korea's entire used-phone market. It comes from an analysis of devices whose sales were completed on Sellro between January 2026 and July. Sellro is a used-phone platform operated by MediaLog, a subsidiary of LG Uplus. Therefore, the findings should not be interpreted as meaning that '6 out of every 10 used phones in South Korea were at least 3 years old.'
The information was verified as of 2026-08-19 Korea Standard Time.
What Does the 63% Figure for Used Phones Released at Least 3 Years Ago Actually Mean?
Sellro calculated each smartphone's age based on the period between its official domestic release date and the date its sale was confirmed. Using this method to categorize products whose sales were completed from 1 to July in 2026, the company found that devices released at least 3 years earlier accounted for approximately 63% of the total.
Put simply, 63% means that approximately 63 out of every 100 smartphones whose sales were completed had been released at least 3 years earlier.
The author's calculation is as follows.
100 × 63% = approximately 63
Expressed in units of 10 devices, the result is approximately 6.3 devices. Although this could commonly be described as 'about 6 out of 10,' the actual reported figure is approximately 63%, so there is no need to round it down to 60% when interpreting the findings.
More importantly, these statistics cover devices whose sales were actually completed, rather than merely the number of sale applications submitted. This means that a substantial number of older smartphones were not simply listed on used-phone trading platforms but successfully reached the final sale stage.
Conversely, the 63% figure alone does not establish that older smartphones command high prices or that every model sells easily. The published data did not provide average selling prices by device age or sales success rates by model.
Which Models Sold the Most Among Phones at Least 3 Years Old?
Among devices released at least 3 years earlier, the Galaxy S22 Ultra recorded the highest number of completed sales. It was followed, in order, by the Galaxy S23 Ultra, Galaxy S22, Galaxy S23, and iPhone14 Pro.
The leading models show that trading was not limited to inexpensive, aging smartphones. The list also included devices that were premium products at launch, such as the Galaxy S Ultra and iPhone Pro.
Other used-phone transaction data from the first half of 2026 also confirms trading activity involving previous-generation premium devices. According to data covering 1 through June in 2026 from UPM, a B2B transaction management system used by used-phone businesses nationwide, transactions totaled 5만7,271 units for the Galaxy S22 Ultra 256GB and 5만5,929 units for the Galaxy S23 Ultra 256GB.
However, the two sets of statistics use different criteria.
Sellro's figures analyze devices that consumers successfully sold through Sellro, whereas UPM's figures represent purchase transaction data from used-phone businesses. Because the populations and transaction stages differ, their sales volumes or proportions should not be directly combined.
Were Smartphones Released More Than 5 Years Ago Actually Sold?
Yes. Sellro's data confirmed completed sales of smartphones released at least 5 years earlier. Among devices in this age category, the Galaxy S21 recorded the highest number of sales.
It was followed by the Galaxy Note20 Ultra, Galaxy Note20, iPhone12 Pro, and Galaxy S21 Ultra.
One particularly noteworthy finding is that models such as the Galaxy Note20 series remained marketable even after several generations of successors had been released. However, the published data does not provide enough information to determine a selling price simply because a phone is at least 5 years old.
Even for the same model, used-phone selling prices can vary depending on storage capacity, cosmetic condition, and the results of physical inspections, including whether the screen, camera, and buttons function properly. Therefore, anyone with an older phone at home would be better served by first checking whether the model is currently eligible for purchase by a used-phone buyer, rather than deciding to discard or store it solely based on its release year.
How Large Is the Used-Phone Market?
Separate B2B data for the first half of 2026 recorded 292만5,067 units in used-phone purchase transactions between January and June, with a total transaction value of KRW 995,128,920,000. UPM, which compiled these figures, was described as a dedicated used-phone ERP system used by approximately 80% of used-phone businesses nationwide.
The average purchase amount, calculated by dividing the total purchase value by transaction volume, was approximately KRW 340,000. On a monthly average basis, transactions totaled approximately 48만7,511 units, with a value of approximately KRW 165,800,000,000.
Both budget smartphones and previous-generation flagship devices ranked among the most frequently traded products in this dataset. The Galaxy Buddy3 ranked 1 in transaction volume, while the Galaxy S24 Ultra, Galaxy A24, Galaxy S22 Ultra, and Galaxy S23 Ultra were also among the major traded models.
These figures should not be treated as evidence proving Sellro's 63% statistic. Instead, they are best understood as separate market data showing that used-phone trading is not a small-scale activity confined to a single platform.
What Should You Check First If You Own an Older Smartphone?
There is no need to assume that an older phone cannot be sold simply because it was released a long time ago. Sellro's data confirmed completed sales of smartphones released not only 3 years earlier but also at least 5 years earlier.
First, identify the exact model name. Even within the same Galaxy S series or iPhone lineup, standard, Ultra, and Pro versions are traded as separate products.
Next, check the storage capacity and device condition. When looking up used-phone prices, it is better to search using the exact model and storage capacity rather than a broad product designation such as 'Galaxy S22.'
Personal data also needs to be checked before selling. Important photos, contacts, authentication apps, and other information should be transferred to a new phone before signing out of accounts and performing a factory reset.
Sellro operates as an online used-phone purchasing service, offering price estimates and sales through its app and website, as well as collection services. Service information released when MediaLog entered the used-phone business in 2023 also described online price checks, sale applications, device collection, and inspection procedures.
If you plan to sell a used phone, the clearest approach is to compare estimated purchase prices for the same model, storage capacity, and similar condition before deciding whether to sell, rather than relying on a quote from just one provider.
What Are the Conditions for the August Additional Reward?
According to information released by Sellro, devices eligible for sale through Sellro until 2026-08-31 may qualify for an additional Naver Pay reward once the sale is completed, regardless of model or release year. The company stated that this promotion expanded eligibility by removing restrictions based on device model and minimum purchase price.
The key requirement is not simply owning a phone, but having a device eligible for sale through Sellro and completing the sale within the promotional period.
Therefore, anyone with an older smartphone should check not only how old the phone is, but also whether the model is currently eligible for sale, the estimated reward amount, and whether the conditions for completing the sale within the promotional period can be met.
This is also the limit of what the 63% figure demonstrates. Smartphones released at least 3 years earlier accounted for the majority of devices whose sales were completed on Sellro between 1 and July in 2026, and actual completed sales included products released at least 5 years earlier. The statistics do not establish that older smartphone prices are rising or indicate the future value of any particular model.