Apple owns nearly 50% of the global refurbished smartphone – iPhone market

The results also revealed that shipments of refurbished smartphones grew by 5% globally year-on-year. This is in stark contrast to new smartphone shipments, which fell 11.3 percent in 2022, according to research firm IDC.

Counterpoint said the global number fell sharply due to China’s performance and a 17% decline in sales of refurbished smartphones, a drop largely caused by the resurgence of the pandemic.

“Apple’s global sales grew 16% year-over-year in 2022, bringing its secondary market share to more than 49%,” Counterpoint said in a statement, adding that the tech giant is now the fastest-growing brand in the used and refurbished device segments across the board. around the world. However, Counterpoint analyst Glenn Cardoza noted that supply of used devices remains limited as people hold onto their smartphones for longer.

If you didn’t already know, refurbished iPhones purchased from Apple’s online store come with a new battery, new exterior, freshly replaced parts (if needed), and a one-year warranty.

As you would expect, the devices are also thoroughly cleaned and inspected prior to shipment. They even ship in a brand new box with new cables and accessories.

With customers constantly upgrading their devices and many choosing to trade in their existing iPhones, Apple’s website for refurbished phones (and other equipment) is constantly updated. At the time of writing, Apple’s US online store for refurbished devices had several iPhone 12 Pro Max units with 512GB of storage for $1,009, a savings of $290.

In the company’s online store in the UK, a refurbished iPhone 13 Pro with 128GB of storage is available for £809, saving the customer £140.

Samsung also has an online store that features refurbished smartphones, with similarly deep discounts offered on some of the high-end Galaxy phones. And like Apple, Samsung goes through the device and adds brand new components before putting it back on sale.