Magyar Telekom reports rising demand for refurbished devices

Magyar Telekom has released new data showing rising national interest in used and refurbished mobile devices in Hungary. Since the launch of its joint platform with Recommerce at the start of the year, customers have sold used smartphones valued at more than € 190,000. We would say: room for improvement. But is a start. The average age of the devices sold was between 5 and 6 years.

Refurbished devices join portfolio

Refurbished and used devices first appeared in Magyar Telekom’s consumer offering in October 2023. Since then, customers have selected these options more than 30,000 times. Over the past two years, the company recorded an average of 300 refurbished device purchases each week. Today, users can choose from 188 versions of 60 models, signalling broad and sustained demand.

Apple iPhone leads 2025 rankings

In the top ten most sought-after used devices of 2025, every model was an Apple iPhone. The most frequently purchased were the refurbished Apple iPhone 13, Apple iPhone 14, and Apple iPhone 11. These three alone accounted for more than 25% of all refurbished and used device purchases. Apple iPhone models represented 84% of every refurbished smartphone sold on the platform since launch.

Price advantages and motivations

Magyar Telekom noted that customers continue to select refurbished units not only for environmental reasons but also for price. According to the operator, a used device can be purchased for an average of 24% below the price of a new equivalent. This price gap remains a central driver of adoption in the Hungarian secondary mobile market.

Environmental impact and supply contribution

Magyar Telekom highlighted the environmental benefits of resale activity. Each mobile sold can reduce emissions by more than 32 kg of carbon dioxide, while each tablet can reduce more than 52 kg. The flow of devices back into the market also strengthens the supply chain for refurbishment and reduces the environmental burden associated with raw material extraction and land use change.