Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Company Owned and Consumer Owned), By Application (Public Use, Private Use and Others) and Regional Forecast to 2035

REFURBISHED AND USED MOBILE PHONES MARKET REPORT OVERVIEW

The global Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market size estimated at USD 32712.76 million in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 61534.54 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 7.3% from 2026 to 2035.

The term refurbished mobile phones refers to phones that were returned to the manufacturer or the retail store because of a variety of reasons including some defects or perhaps the fact that the user did not like the particular model anymore. These are functional phones that are damaged and taken through the process of refurbishing to make them usable again then sold. They are usually sold with warranty and are normally certified either by the manufacturer or by third-party refurbisher.

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KEY FINDINGS

• Market Size and Growth: The Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market size was USD 28413.04 Million in 2024, is projected to grow to USD 30486.91 Million by 2025 and exceed USD 53446.53 Million by 2033, with a CAGR of 7.3%.

• Key Market Driver: Rising consumer demand for affordable smartphones is driving growth, with over 1.3 billion smartphone shipments recorded globally in 2023, boosting the resale and refurbishment ecosystem.

• Major Market Restraint: Concerns about data privacy and counterfeit products remain a barrier, with nearly 30% of consumers hesitant to buy second-hand devices due to security risks.

• Emerging Trends: The rise of certified refurbished programs from brands like Apple and Samsung has surged, with Apple reporting more than 20% year-on-year growth in refurbished iPhone sales in 2023.

• Regional Leadership: Asia-Pacific dominates the market, accounting for more than 40% of global refurbished and used smartphone sales in 2023, driven by strong demand in India and China.

• Competitive Landscape: The market is highly fragmented with over 50 major players globally, including Amazon Renewed, Cashify, and Back Market, contributing significantly to the sector’s expansion.

• Market Segmentation: Android-based refurbished devices captured nearly 70% of the global share in 2023, making them the leading segment compared to iOS devices.

• Recent Development: In 2024, Back Market raised USD 510 million in funding, strengthening its global presence and expanding operations in North America and Europe.

COVID-19 IMPACT

"Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Industry Had a Positive Effect Due to Increased Demand for Affordable Devices during COVID-19 Pandemic"

The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with the market experiencing higher-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden market growth reflected by the rise in CAGR is attributable to market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

These dramatic changes saw a massive loss of jobs and financial insecurity causing many consumers to look for cheaper options for new smartphones, which lead to the rise of demand for refurbished and old model phones. However, emerging markets used mobile devices in communicating, working, and learning during the pandemic, making low-cost, small-screen devices essential.

LATEST TRENDS

"Growing Consumer Acceptance of Refurbished Devices to Propel Market Growth"

Consumer willingness to buy refurbished products is a threatening mega-trend for the refurbished and used mobile phones market. This is due to enhanced image of quality, affordable and sustainable electricity generation. Customers are therefore approaching the refurbished phones as other ordinary phones and this is due to improvement in the refurbishment process such as testing, repairing and certifying the phones. It has also helped that Service providers for most of these products have provided warranties and return policies to enhance confidence in the products.

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REFURBISHED AND USED MOBILE PHONES MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type the market can be categorized into Company Owned and Consumer Owned.

• Company Owned- These are ones sent back, exchanged, or resold back to the original manufacturer, the retailer or a third-party remanufacturer.

• Consumer Owned- These are devices that are directly disposed by individuals, small firms or organizations without much refurbishing from the manufactures or big refurbishers.

By Application

Based on application the market can be categorized into Public Use, Private Use and Others.

• Public Use- Employed to create links in issues of public health awareness, education and social welfare undertakings. For instance, offering technological equipment such as the smartphone for the underprivileged category accessing digital solutions.

• Private Use- Basic usage of the mobiles include the ability to make a call, text and use social networks through an affordable smartphone.

Driving Factors

"Increasing Cost of New Smartphones to Drive Market Advancement"

One of the key Driving Factorss in the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones market growth is Increasing Cost of New Smartphones. The growing availability of budget-friendly, low-cost new smartphones with modern features makes it difficult for refurbished devices to compete in terms of price and features, especially in emerging markets. Consumers’ preference for new phones from well-known brands, such as Apple and Samsung, can overshadow the appeal of refurbished devices, even at a lower price.

Growing Consumer Awareness and Acceptance to Expand the Market

Refurbished and used mobile phones have a strong market force due to increasing consumers knowledge as well as acceptance levels. The consumers are becoming aware about the usefulness and trustworthiness of the products which are refurbished as the refurbishing procedures have become more efficient and can guarantee good products. Magnate called Warranties, return policies, and called certifications have made customers confident now by eliminating misconceptions that the used phones were inferior or of low quality.

Restraining Factor

Perceived Quality and Reliability Issues Poses Potential Impediments to Market Growth

This means that the existing perception of quality and reliability of the refurbished and used mobile phones are key constraining factors. Quite a number of consumers is still holding suspicion about the effectiveness and durability of refurbished gadgets thinking that those phones won’t operate as effectively as fresh models. People fear they are going to buy a device which has a bunch of internal problems – bad battery, a flawed screen, or subpar software, among others.

Opportunity

Growing Environmental Awareness To Create Opportunity for the Product in the Market

With the environmental conservation consciousness reaching Consumers, the demand for accessories that help minimize Electronic Junk is high. Mobile phones that have been recycled are in tune with the trend towards more green products, which is good news for the environmentally conscious consumer. Again, use of refurbished mobile phones assists the curcuit of products and decrease the rate at which the products are disposed making the refurbishing market of mobile phones large.

Challenge

Competition from New, Low-Cost Devices Could Be a Potential Challenge for Consumers

The affordable prices of new smartphones, particularly new entry-level models with numerous features present in low-cost innovation now; make it hard for refurbished devices to penetrate into many confines of the market, especially the growing emerging markets. According to consumers, it is easier to get a new mobile phone particularly from such famous brands like Apple and Samsung rather than buying refurbished phones even if they may be cheaper.

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REFURBISHED AND USED MOBILE PHONES MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America

The market of refurbished phones, although important for North America, especially the United States, is not as large as in the APAC region. The market is of higher concern with brands such as Apple and Samsung and has a relatively higher demand for new products.

Europe

Europe is also a significant consumer of refurbished Mobile phones due to the ever-evolving desire to use products that were refurbished instead of using a brand-new phone thus the rise in circular economy. However, it is significantly smaller than Asia Pacific both with respect to the total market and the array of secondary stock for recycling.

Asia

Asia Pacific has emerged as the most dominant region in the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones market share due to a convergence of factors that propel its leadership in this dynamic industry. A great number of global consumers resides in Asia Pacific region, especially in China, India and Japanese markets whose population uses mobile phones in large quantities. Therefore, there is a large pool of devices which are used and could be refurbished and sold as new.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

"Key Players Transforming the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Landscape through Innovation and Global Strategy"

Key enterprise players are shaping the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones marketplace through strategic innovation and marketplace growth. The main vendors in the refurbished market use OEM refurbishment procedures to guarantee the quality and reliability of their products. This involve conducting thorough test run on the devices, changing the defective parts and ensuring the phones are certified. Thereby, AI being applied together with data analytics helps companies improve the refurbishment process and grade as well as price devices efficiently.

List of Market Players Profiled

• Samsung (South Korea)
• Lenovo (China)
• Nippon Telephone (Japan)
• Green Dust (India)
• Apple (U.S.)

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT

Nov 2023: Reboxed revealed that it receives GBP 1.6m (USD 2.03m) seed funding from ACF Investors. Reboxed provides a commerce solution for consumer and business and access to a innovative and sustainable mode of consumer electronics.

REPORT COVERAGE

The study encompasses a comprehensive SWOT analysis and provides insights into future developments within the market. It examines various factors that contribute to the growth of the market, exploring a wide range of market categories and potential applications that may impact its trajectory in the coming years. The analysis takes into account both current trends and historical turning points, providing a holistic understanding of the market's components and identifying potential areas for growth.

The research report delves into market segmentation, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative research methods to provide a thorough analysis. It also evaluates the impact of financial and strategic perspectives on the market. Furthermore, the report presents national and regional assessments, considering the dominant forces of supply and demand that influence market growth. The competitive landscape is meticulously detailed, including market shares of significant competitors. The report incorporates novel research methodologies and player strategies tailored for the anticipated time frame. Overall, it offers valuable and comprehensive insights into the market dynamics in a formal and easily understandable manner.