Global Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market Size Likely to Grow at a CAGR of 22.6% By 2035

Market Size and Growth

The market size of global refurbished and used mobile phones will be estimated at USD 42.3 billion in 2025 and is expected to grow to between USD 51.8 billion in 2026 and about USD 324.5 billion by 2035, with a current CAGR (compound annual growth rate) of 22.6% during the period of 2026 to 2035.

Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market Revenue and Trends

A refurbished phone often describes a previously owned device that has been returned due to a problem and has been fixed for resale. Due to the growing popularity of consumer electronics, refurbished phones, and used phones through different online/offline sales channels, the consumption of used and refurbished mobile phones is predicted to increase significantly over the upcoming years. The global market for refurbished and used mobile phones is expanding due to the explosive development of digital content.

The smartphone has permeated every aspect of people’s lives, from aiding communication to facilitating e-commerce to accelerating the rise of digitalization. Modern customers who are digitally aware are gravitating toward expensive and cutting-edge technology. The market for refurbished and used mobile phones is expanding quickly due to several causes, including the increased popularity of smartphones, rising disposable income, and greater environmental consciousness. Additionally, the presence of numerous second-hand sellers fosters this industry’s expansion.

What are the Factors That Have a Significant Contribution to the Growth of the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market?

Enhanced global recognition of the environmental consequences of e-waste is having a positive effect on consumer purchasing behavior and organizational procurement practices, and this is helping to influence industry perspectives on the wider refurbished and used mobile market outlook. The growth in global electronic waste production has become a pressing sustainability concern, with The United Nations’ Global E-waste Monitor 2024 revealing global electronic waste generation is increasing by 2.6 megatons per annum and projected to increase to 82 megatons by 2030.

Refurbished and used mobile phones are thus presenting a fixed, real solution that has the ability to prolong a device‘s lifespan, meet the increasing consumer-derived demands for manufactured outputs, and reduce the consumer-to-crap flow of toxic waste streams. This trend change is gaining legislative support with the European Union‘s Ecodesign and Repairability Regulation that, as of 2021, mandated the introduction of standardized repairability scores on all smartphones marketed within Europe, ranging from A to E, as well as access to spare parts and software updates for at least seven years after a device‘s lifecycle ends.

Also, government legislation that promoted the e-waste recycling and sustainability movements ultimately favor the refurbished mobile phone market. Many countries have put in place various regulations to promote the collection of old electronic equipment and its recycling. For example, in India, the E-Waste Management Rules 2016 encourages companies to create a take-back scheme for electronic equipment, thus promoting the use of refurbished mobiles. Conversely, in the European Union, the Circular Economy Action Plan (2020) supports the reuse and reduction of e-waste in general, thus encouraging the refurbished mobile market indirectly.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific held the highest market share in 2025. The region has an adequate and mature informal grey market as well as emerging organized e-commerce channels providing access to certified pre-owned (refurbished) handsets with warranties that build consumer confidence. Regular trade-in programs and handset refresh cycles ensure a healthy flow of fairly recent handsets into the second-hand market.

Besides, the North American market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth is propelled by the high penetration of smartphone usage in addition to the high frequency of device upgrades and consumers’ deep consciousness about savings and the environment. Consumers in the US and Canada upgrade their old smartphones with newer models frequently, hence. additional refurbished units enter the lifecycle pipeline from buy-back and trade-in programs. The popularity of refurbished units is also facilitated by the consumers’ willingness to choose value-for-money refurbished units between expensive new flagships, as well as the stable presence of hard-to-counterfeit refurbishment companies, authorized reseller programs, and e-commerce platforms.

Report Scope

Recent Developments

• In October 2024, Google launched its Certified Refurbished Phone program, offering up to 40% off select Pixel models. Discounts include the Pixel 6a for $249, the Pixel 6 for $339, the Pixel 6 Pro for $539, the Pixel 7 for $429, and the Pixel 7 Pro for $629, making premium devices more affordable.

List of the prominent players in the Refurbished and Used Mobile Phones Market:

• Cisco Systems Inc.
• Palo Alto Networks Inc.
• CrowdStrike Holdings Inc.
• Check Point Software Technologies
• Fortinet Inc.
• Microsoft Corporation
• McAfee Corp.
• Trend Micro Incorporated
• Qualys Inc.
• Apple Inc.
• Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Amazon.com Inc.
• Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.
• Microsoft Corporation
• LG Electronics Inc.
• Lenovo Group Limited
• Xiaomi Corporation
• Sony Corporation
• Oppo Electronics Corp.
• Vivo Communication Technology Co. Ltd.
• ZTE Corporation
• Motorola Solutions Inc.
• Google LLC
• TCL Technology
• OnePlus Technology Co. Ltd.
• BLU Products Inc.
• InFocus Corporation
• Nokia Corporation
• AsusTek Computer Inc.
• Others