Secondary Market

French trade-in enabler Dipli shared their view on 2024 and what they expect of 2025 with us. Including their famous price index. According to them, the European refurbished smartphone market continues to expand, reaching 16% of total smartphone sales in 2023, up from 14% the previous year, with 27 million units sold. On a global scale, market share hit 15% in 2024, up from 13% in 2022, reflecting growing consumer interest in refurbished devices as a viable alternative to new smartphones.

A resilient market despite challenges

Despite steady growth, the secondary mobile market faced price fluctuations in 2024 due to various factors:

Chip shortages impacted stock availability, increasing prices.
Apple’s policy changes raised refurbished iPhone prices by 23% compared to competitors.
Longer device lifecycles led to reduced stock and rising prices.
New European regulations on repairability and circular economy influenced manufacturer strategies.
Higher logistics costs and inflation added financial pressure.

To counter these challenges, industry players adapted by emphasizing trade-in programs to stabilize supply and maintain affordability.

This year rise of trade-in programs

Trade-in programs are emerging as a key driver of the refurbished market, facilitating the influx of used devices. Despite this, 54% of smartphones worldwide have never been resold. Encouragingly, trade-in activity is gaining traction, with over €1 billion paid to consumers through such programs in Europe and the U.S. in Q3 2024.

An increase in prices expected in 2025

Rising new smartphone prices impact refurbished pricing. In 2023, the average new smartphone cost € 487, with premium models exceeding € 1,000. The USB-C regulation and intensifying competition among manufacturers will further influence pricing trends in 2025. With 8 billion phones in circulation, the refurbished market has a promising future. Trade-in programs will continue to support industry resilience, and regulatory shifts, AI integration, and foldable smartphone adoption will shape the market’s evolution.