Prestige Group transforms smartphone refurbishment with AI-powered Enjoycube

SecondaryMarket.news: Can you explain the history of Prestige Group by describing how the company was founded, where your operations are located, how many employees you currently have, and which specific business model allows you to compete effectively in the market?

Stefano Petrillo: Prestige Group Srl was founded in 2014, building upon my personal experience in mobile telephony distribution, which began in 2005. The company is located in Northern Italy, near Milan, a strategic European hub. Currently, we operate with a dedicated team of around 25 employees. Our specific business model is a hybrid that combines high-volume B2B distribution and trading with the strategic implementation of circular economy solutions through an internal R&D team. Our ability to compete effectively lies in verticalizing both the new and circular supply chains, using data and AI to optimize every step, particularly through our technology, Enjoycube.

SecondaryMarket.news: You joined EUREFAS during its earliest phase and have remained actively involved ever since, so why is this organisation strategically important for your goals and how does it shape the future development of Europe’s growing secondary mobile ecosystem?

Stefano Petrillo: EUREFAS is strategically crucial because it represents the unified voice of the European refurbishment industry. Our goal is to shift the perception of sustainability from a marketing slogan to an industrialized and standardized model. EUREFAS is the platform that helps achieve this by advocating for clear European-level taxonomy, standards, and legislation. This standardization is vital for creating a reliable single market for refurbished goods and ensuring competitive conditions and institutional education for players in our industrial sector. By working closely with EUREFAS, we help shape a future where the secondary mobile ecosystem is built on trust, transparency, and data-driven grading, which are the exact principles driving our technology development.

SecondaryMarket.news: Before we go deeper into the Enjoycube can you explain in simple terms, what it is?

Stefano Petrillo: In simple terms, Enjoycube is a reverse vending machine, though that might not be the simplest term, so we can define it as a smart, automated kiosk or station designed for the instant, objective evaluation of used electronic devices, primarily smartphones. It's the physical and digital interface that allows a user or an operator to get a transparent assessment of a device's condition and market value in minutes, enabling immediate trade-ins or informed refurbishment decisions.

SecondaryMarket.news: The Enjoycube analyses a smartphone automatically. How does it test a phone?

Stefano Petrillo: The device is physically connected to the Enjoycube station via a plug-in, after which the system runs a comprehensive series of tests covering both hardware and software performance. These diagnostics assess the functionality of key components such as sensors, cameras, microphones, speakers, buttons, charging ports, and overall battery health. The process also evaluates display integrity by checking for dead pixels, touch sensitivity issues, and signs of screen burn-in. In addition, the software status is verified to identify any operating system issues and, critically, to confirm that the device is free from activation locks such as iCloud or Google locks that would prevent refurbishment. The entire diagnostic process is powered by specialised software that interfaces directly with the device’s internal components.

SecondaryMarket.news: Can you explain to our readers where does AI come into play?

Stefano Petrillo: AI and machine learning form the intelligence behind Enjoycube. The system analyses the large volumes of data collected during both diagnostic and aesthetic testing and cross-references these results with current market trends, historical performance data, and known component failure rates. This enables Enjoycube to accurately determine the device’s grade, such as A, B, or C, based on its condition, calculate a real-time market price for that specific model using a dynamic pricing list, and predict the potential cost of refurbishment. By combining these insights, the platform can instantly optimise the business decision around resale or repair.

Enjoycube analyses a smartphone automatically through a structured testing process. The device is physically connected to the Enjoycube station via a plug-in, after which the system initiates a comprehensive series of hardware and software tests. These diagnostics assess the functionality of key components including sensors, cameras, microphones, speakers, buttons, charging ports, and overall battery health. The display is evaluated for dead pixels, touch sensitivity issues, and signs of screen burn-in. In parallel, the software status is checked to identify operating system issues and, critically, to confirm that the device is free from activation locks such as iCloud or Google locks that would prevent refurbishment.

SecondaryMarket.news: What motivated your team to develop Enjoycube as a new diagnostic and valuation technology, how long did it take to build the first working prototype, and when do you expect the product to be commercially ready worldwide? 

Stefano Petrillo: The motivation was the urgent need for scalability and objectivity. Manual diagnostics, in Italy as in other European countries, are too slow and expensive, creating a bottleneck for the entire circular supply chain in Europe. The issues of labor costs, training, and staff turnover are among the main problems. We realized that true industrial-scale refurbishment required automation and AI to standardize the trade-in decision.

We developed the first working prototype of Enjoycube in approximately 18 months, leveraging our deep industry knowledge. The product is already commercially ready in Europe, and we are currently working on final testing and global logistics with integrations. We expect Enjoycube to be ready for worldwide commercial deployment as early as January 2026. 

SecondaryMarket.news: Enjoycube performs automated processing and grading for used smartphones, so how long does the full workflow usually take for a single device in daily operations, and how many trained employees are required to operate the system efficiently?

Stefano Petrillo: In daily operations, the full diagnostic workflow with Enjoycube, including grading and valuation for a single device, takes less than 60 seconds after the physical connection. The beauty of Enjoycube is that it requires minimal staff training. The system is designed for simplicity; any retail associate or warehouse employee can operate it efficiently. The human role shifts from performing subjective technical assessments to simply facilitating the automated process and customer interaction, should the customer not be able to use it autonomously.

SecondaryMarket.news: Can you outline your commercial model for Enjoycube by explaining whether you plan to charge a flat fee, use transactional pricing, offer a leasing structure, or introduce a flexible hybrid model suited to different customers?

Stefano Petrillo: We offer a flexible hybrid model to suit the different needs of our customers. We understand that a high-volume refurbisher has different requirements than a small retailer. Our commercial model typically combines a rental structure with a flat monthly fee for the use of the physical machine, a transactional Enjoycoin fee that applies minimally for each license used per device diagnosed and aesthetically graded, and a recurring software licensing fee for access to our constantly updated dynamic pricing models and AI data. This hybrid approach ensures high adoption by reducing the initial investment barrier.

SecondaryMarket.news: What type of customer typically adopts Enjoycube in your view, and do you expect retailers to rely on the machine for real time in store trade in validation when handling used smartphones from consumers?

Stefano Petrillo:  We see two main customer segments. High-volume refurbishers and wholesalers use our B2B laboratory version, the Multitester, to quickly process incoming bulk lots, while major retail chains and telcos are the primary target for the standard Enjoycube kiosk. End-users are already well-informed and will increasingly expect precise data. We fully anticipate that retailers will rely on Enjoycube for real-time in-store trade-in validation, providing instant, objective price quotes that build consumer trust and are essential for efficiently scaling trade-in programs. This process also streamlines the entire supply chain, as refurbishers receive accurate information about incoming devices without investing additional time or personnel in in-house testing, enabling them to optimize the purchase of spare parts for refurbishment and processing.

SecondaryMarket.news: When Enjoycube is deployed inside a high volume production facility, what maximum daily output can the system realistically achieve, and does effective operation require extensive staff training or significant configuration before regular use consistently?

Stefano Petrillo: When deployed in a high-volume production facility using our Multitest configuration, the system can realistically achieve an output of over 800 devices per 8-hour shift with only two human operators assigned. Since the process for each device takes less than 60 seconds, throughput is mainly limited by the operator's speed in cleaning the device pre-test, connecting it, performing the only 3 tests that require human intervention, and disconnecting the devices.

As mentioned, no extensive staff training is required for operation, and configuration is minimal, training is primarily for the back-end, which is also very intuitive and offers many services, as the core diagnostic software and AI are plug-and-play

SecondaryMarket.news: Your technology performs more than 170 automated tests from cosmetic checks to complete hardware analysis, so is Enjoycube powered exclusively by proprietary software developed internally or does it also integrate third party software?

Stefano Petrillo: Enjoycube is predominantly powered by proprietary software developed entirely in-house. This allows us to maintain strict control over accuracy, security, and integration with our specific AI models. However, we do integrate verified third-party APIs and services for non-core functions delegated to competent authorities, such as crucial security checks (like confirming contractual locks or reported stolen status) which rely on global databases maintained by specialized external providers.

SecondaryMarket.news: The device also verifies whether a smartphone is stolen, under contract, or subject to third party restrictions to ensure secure buyback operations, so which sources and databases does Enjoycube rely on to perform these critical checks?

Stefano Petrillo: To ensure secure and transparent buyback operations while eliminating risks for clients, Enjoycube integrates data feeds from major global and national databases. This includes the GSMA Global Database for international device identification and blacklist status, national carrier databases to verify contracts or outstanding financial obligations, and official lock status providers for critical checks such as Apple’s iCloud and Google FRP locks. Our AI cross-references all this data in real time before finalizing the trade-in offer, ensuring both accuracy and security. Transparency for the partner and for the customer is the keyword!

 SecondaryMarket.news: Retailers can connect Enjoycube to their online stores to automatically list newly acquired items for sale in real time. Could you describe how this works?

Stefano Petrillo: This feature is fundamental for true circularity. Once a device successfully passes diagnostics and the trade-in is confirmed, Enjoycube instantly generates a digital certificate and an exact grading, including cosmetic photos taken by the machine, with the option to add more. Through API integration, this highly structured data is immediately pushed to the retailer’s or refurbisher’s e-commerce platform or ERP system. The item can then be listed for sale as a refurbished product even before it leaves the store, often using a standardized photo and the certified condition report. This approach significantly reduces time-to-market and logistics costs, effectively linking the collection point directly to the sales point.

SecondaryMarket.news: Your upcoming Multitest with 32 cubes promises the ability to analyse 100 devices in 10 minutes for enterprise level partners handling large smartphone fleets. How do you maintain accuracy at such speed especially when testing batches containing diverse Apple iPhone conditions?

Stefano Petrillo: The ability to test 100 devices in 10 minutes refers to the system’s capacity to run 30-32 devices simultaneously in a single tool installation unit. We maintain accuracy at this speed through parallel processing, with the diagnostic software running simultaneously and independently on each connected device port. Standardized hardware interaction ensures a highly stable connection via plug-in, minimizing the errors that often occur in manual testing. For Apple iPhones, the software uses dedicated protocols to precisely read internal component data and battery cycle count, guaranteeing accuracy regardless of cosmetic grade. The speed is achieved through the simultaneity of the automation, not by rushing individual tests.

SecondaryMarket.news: Your long-term vision is to help Italy reclaim a leadership role in smartphone diagnostics through artificial intelligence and locally built technology. How do you scale internationally without diluting the Made in Italy identity that defines the project?

 Stefano Petrillo: Scaling internationally requires strategic partnerships, but the "Made in Italy" identity is non-negotiable, it's about quality, design, and reliable engineering. We maintain this identity by ensuring that core technology development remains in Italy, where all proprietary AI, machine learning models, and diagnostic software are developed. Engineering excellence is ensured by manufacturing the hardware, Enjoycube and Multitest units, according to the highest Italian quality standards. Local expertise comes from partnering with regional distributors who act as certified technical partners, guaranteeing that service and support reflect the quality standards established in Italy. Additionally, Prestige Group has already been operating the tool in its refurbishment department for six months, identifying bugs and optimizing the software structure to ensure a flawless product, anticipating issues, and maintaining a system rooted in perfectionism and product quality.

We export the technology and the data-driven methodology, not just the physical box. This ensures that the Italian leadership in innovation remains at the heart of our global expansion.