19 April 2026
The US smartphone market posted a strong rebound in early March 2026. According to Counterpoint Research‘s US Weekly Smartphone Sell-through Tracker, sales rose 24% week-over-week and 3% year-over-year in the week of March 8–14, driven by the launches of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series and the Apple iPhone 17e. The Google Pixel 10a, which launched a week earlier, also contributed to the momentum. In the three weeks following these new model launches, the US smartphone market grew 5% year-over-year — a meaningful recovery for a market that had been sluggish heading into March.
For businesses operating in the secondary market — whether you source refurbished iPhones wholesale or work as a refurbished Samsung wholesale supplier — these shifts in the primary market carry direct implications for where demand is heading next. At HK Refurbished Stock, we track these trends closely to help our partners stay ahead of the curve.
Galaxy S26 Series: A Strong Start
Samsung was the primary driver of market growth. Galaxy S26 series sales grew 29% year-over-year through its first three calendar weeks of availability ending March 28. Samsung reported that preorders were up nearly 25% across all channels in the US, with some retailers such as Best Buy recording double the preorder volume compared to the previous generation.
Several factors contributed to this performance:
- Later launch timing: The S26 series launched later in the year compared to its predecessor. This extended the anticipation period among consumers and resulted in a higher initial upgrade rate.
- Mid-week launch: The device launched on a Wednesday rather than the traditional Friday, pulling two additional in-store sales days into the first three calendar weeks and lifting overall volumes.
- Strong in-store supply and demand: Both supply availability and consumer demand remained robust from the official launch date onward.
Ultra Model Dominance
The Galaxy S26 Ultra accounted for nearly 71% of Galaxy S-series sales through the first three calendar weeks, up from 61% in 2025. Two dynamics are driving this shift:
- Pricing pressure on base and Plus models: Price increases on the standard and Plus models pushed more buyers toward the Ultra tier.
- Privacy Display feature: Exclusive to the Ultra, this feature offers a clear and immediate use case not available on any competing device, making it a genuine differentiator in the eyes of consumers.
For wholesalers, the growing Ultra dominance is a signal worth acting on. Premium refurbished Samsung models — particularly Ultra variants — are likely to see stronger secondary market demand as upgrade cycles play out. Browse our refurbished Samsung wholesale inventory to see current stock.
Carrier Promotions
The Ultra also saw the biggest year-over-year improvement in carrier promotions, according to Counterpoint’s US Weekly Smartphone Promotions Tracker:
- AT&T offered the Ultra for free with a trade-in from launch.
- T-Mobile offered it for free with a trade-in or a new line — a significant upgrade from 2025, when AT&T was the only carrier to offer the device for free within the first month of sales.
- Verizon, T-Mobile, and AT&T all offered trade-in and new-line discounts for the standard S26 and S26 Plus.
Early data suggests the series is performing particularly well on T-Mobile, likely driven by these stronger promotional offers on the Ultra.
iPhone 17e: Outperforming Expectations
Initial expectations for the iPhone 17e were for a softer launch compared to the iPhone 16e in 2025. Instead, sales of the iPhone 17e increased 15% year-over-year through its first three calendar weeks of availability — a result that exceeded analyst expectations.
What Drove the Outperformance
The iPhone 17e managed to differentiate itself from its predecessor through meaningful hardware upgrades at consistent pricing:
- Faster charging
- Next-generation processor
- Improved camera system
- Increased storage capacity
Like the S26, the iPhone 17e also launched on a Wednesday rather than Friday, adding two extra in-store sales days to its first three weeks of availability.
Carrier Promotions
Strong carrier support further amplified iPhone 17e sales. T-Mobile, Verizon, Spectrum, and Xfinity all offered the device for free with a trade-in or a new line, broadening its reach among mainstream consumers.
As the iPhone 17e drives upgrade activity, demand for refurbished predecessors — particularly the iPhone 16 and 16e — is expected to grow in the secondary market. Explore our wholesale refurbished iPhone inventory to align your stock with where demand is heading.
Prepaid Market: iPhone 16e Steps Up
Following the iPhone 17e launch, the dynamics in Apple’s prepaid segment are shifting. As promotions on older models such as the iPhone 13 and iPhone 15 continue to wind down, the iPhone 16e is on track to become Apple’s top prepaid seller in 2026.
Early signals confirm this trend: Cricket began offering the iPhone 16e for free in March with its $60 plan, marking a clear improvement in prepaid promotions for the model. For wholesalers focused on the prepaid segment, stocking the iPhone 16e now positions you ahead of this growing demand.
Key Takeaways
- US smartphone sales rose 24% WoW and 3% YoY in the week of March 8–14.
- Galaxy S26 series sales grew 29% YoY in its first three calendar weeks.
- The Ultra model captured 71% of S-series sales, up from 61% in 2025.
- iPhone 17e sales outpaced the 16e by 15% YoY in the same period.
- Mid-week launch timing benefited both Samsung and Apple in terms of first-week volume.
- The iPhone 16e is emerging as Apple’s leading prepaid option for 2026.
Looking to Stock the Right Models?
These market shifts create real opportunities in the secondary market — but timing matters. Whether you’re looking to source refurbished Samsung Ultra models or build out your iPhone 16e prepaid inventory, HK Refurbished Stock can help you move quickly with the right stock.
Get in touch with our team to discuss your requirements, check availability, or request a wholesale quote.