Every year, during the last week of February or early March, the global telecom industry assembles at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona. The event attracts over 100,000 visitors and thousands of exhibitors from almost every country in the world. It serves as a platform for networking, business opportunities, and discovering the latest industry trends. MWC 2025 will be no different. At SecondaryMarket.news, we are particularly interested in the latest innovations in the secondary mobile market. Every evening during MWC, we will highlight key developments. The event remains an efficient networking hub for professionals in the refurbishment, repair, and trade-in sectors.
gsmX: the offsite trader hub
Like in previous years, gsmX is cleverly hosting its event offsite, yet close enough to attract a significant number of visitors, particularly traders. It will be interesting to see which companies prominently showcase at this event, which is not officially part of MWC but still a vital part of the industry discussions.
Will manufacturers finally embrace Repair, Reuse, and Recycle?
A major topic for MWC 2025 is whether larger manufacturers, such as Samsung and leading Chinese brands, will increasingly promote the three R’s: Repair, Reuse, and Recycle. In 2024, Lenovo partnered with iFixit to promote easy repairs, while Fairphone continued to push its modular smartphone concept. This year, we expect more OEMs to focus on repairability and perhaps even support device second-life initiatives. Recycling, often the last stage in a device’s lifecycle, will likely be less visible at the event, except for initiatives like Closing the Loop’s partnership with Vodafone.
Automation in grading and processing
Automated device grading and processing will be another hot topic. More suppliers than ever, like Opto Fidelity, Apkudo, NSYS and FutureDial, are now offering robotic systems for evaluating used devices. Additionally, new in-store kiosk-like solutions are expected to be introduced, optimizing AI-driven automation for trade-ins and diagnostics.
Trade-in trends: a changing landscape
Trade-in and buyback programs are driving the global secondary market. Outside the U.S., trade-in attach rates need improvement to maintain a steady supply chain. The trade-in customer journey is also evolving, with instant payouts, higher trade-in values, and seamless experiences becoming key differentiators.
Market challenges and the rise of automation
Despite rising trade-in prices, resale prices remain stable, putting margins under pressure. This means only the most cost-efficient companies will survive the next consolidation phase. Automation is emerging as the best way to increase productivity, reduce workforce dependency, and maintain quality and consistency in the refurbished market.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
