Samsung Electronics has expanded its manufacturer certified refurbished smartphone programme into France, Germany and the United Kingdom, extending its Certified Re-Newed offering beyond initial launches in the United States and South Korea. The move positions Europe as a priority region for Samsung’s circular economy strategy, while reflecting broader industry momentum toward OEM controlled participation in secondary mobile markets. By making refurbished Galaxy flagship devices available directly through its own channels, Samsung is reinforcing a model that integrates recommerce into its core device lifecycle management.
OEM control enters secondary markets
For the global secondary mobile ecosystem, the European expansion represents a notable shift in how original equipment manufacturers approach refurbished device distribution. Samsung’s Certified Re-Newed devices are sourced exclusively from top-grade returned products and processed through in-house refurbishment operations. This allows the company to maintain direct oversight of grading, component replacement and performance standards, reducing variability commonly associated with third-party refurbished supply. The approach highlights how OEMs are increasingly viewing refurbished devices not as residual inventory, but as strategic assets capable of extending product value and customer reach.
Quality standards redefine refurbished trust
Samsung has anchored the programme around rigorous refurbishment protocols, including extensive quality testing, professional cleaning and the use of genuine Samsung components. Devices are reset to remove all personal data and are presented in recyclable packaging with standard in-box accessories. Importantly for enterprise buyers and channel partners, Certified Re-Newed devices are issued new IMEI numbers and shipped with the same warranty as new Galaxy smartphones. This level of assurance differentiates manufacturer certified refurbished devices from independent refurbishers and reshapes expectations around reliability and traceability in the secondary market.
Samsung US works with Apkudo and B-Stock
In a noteworthy announcement in February 2025, Samsung USA revealed that they have selected Apkudo as their new trade-in triage partner for their American trade-in programs. Apkudo is known for its automated and robotized device processing and grading, offering unparalleled accuracy, consistency, and speed, as confirmed by Samsung. The traded-in devices are put back to the market by B-Stock.
Circular economy embedded in operations
Beyond commercial considerations, the programme reinforces Samsung’s stated commitment to circular economy principles. By extending the usable life of flagship smartphones, the initiative supports waste reduction and resource efficiency objectives while aligning with evolving European sustainability frameworks. Manufacturer controlled refurbishment also improves transparency across device lifecycles, creating clearer data on return flows, refurbishment yields and resale performance. For policymakers and industry stakeholders, such models demonstrate how circularity can be operationalised at scale without compromising product quality or security.
Implications for market structure
Samsung’s expansion is likely to influence competitive dynamics across Europe’s refurbished smartphone sector. As OEM certified programmes gain visibility, independent refurbishers may face increased pressure to elevate certification standards, invest in process sophistication or pursue partnerships with manufacturers. At the same time, more structured trade-in flows and predictable supply could accelerate professionalisation across recommerce channels. Samsung has indicated that further geographic expansion will follow market demand, suggesting that OEM participation in secondary markets is moving from experimentation toward long-term strategy.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
