The global organized second-hand smartphone market saw a 6% year-on-year growth in 2024, surpassing the primary market, according to a CCS Insight report. This trend underscores the increasing consumer preference for used smartphones over new ones. Apple remains dominant in the refurbished smartphone sector, holding a 60% market share. Samsung follows at 17%, with a slight decline. Meanwhile, Chinese brands like Oppo, Vivo, and Xiaomi are expanding their presence in emerging markets, particularly in Asia and Africa, where consumers are transitioning from feature phones to budget smartphones.
5G adoption and falling prices
The shift toward 5G-enabled second-hand devices continues, with shipments up 46% year-on-year, now making up more than half of the secondary market. However, overall market value declined by 6% to € 29.4 billion, as consumers opted for older, lower-cost models like the Apple iPhone 11, which remained the best-seller in 2024. The average resale price of a used smartphone fell by 11% to € 255.
Regulations and trade-in programs impact supply
The EU’s Radio Equipment Directive, which bans imports of non-USB-C charging devices, came into effect in December 2024. This regulation is expected to disrupt supply chains, particularly for popular models like the Apple iPhone 12 and 13. Additionally, trade-in programs in North America remain a key driver for used Apple iPhones entering the global market.
Market outlook remains positive
Despite challenges, CCS Insight predicts a 6% growth in the organized secondary market for 2025, with an expected 7% compound annual growth rate through 2028. This growth far outpaces the primary market, projected to grow by just 2% over the same period.
Market
Trade-in
Repair
Refurbishing
