Overview

• A survey of 10,000 people finds 70% hold two to three unused phones, with 33% selling devices to fund upgrades, 40% driven by buyback offers, and 77% of resales still routed through informal channels.
• Cashify projects the sector could reach $219 billion by 2033 and reports 151 million refurbished phones shipped through 2024, a 4% year-on-year rise.
• Apple leads India’s refurbished market at 62.9% in H1 2025, with three in five refurbished buyers choosing iPhones as demand shifts toward mid-range ₹15,000–30,000 and premium ₹60,000+ segments, most commonly spending ₹21,000–35,000.
• The whitepaper debuts an Ease of Repair ranking and finds 57.9% prefer repair over replacement, though high costs and spare-part shortages limit uptake.
• Formal programs are expanding with Google bringing certified refurbished Pixels to India via Cashify, Flipkart widening device-exchange offers, and ControlZ opening stores and planning a Gurugram plant.