Federica Laricchia
Research expert covering the global consumer technology industry
Recycling and reusage of consumer tech - statistics & facts
Take a look around you – how many electronic devices, like smartphones, TVs, and smartwatches, can you spot? Over the past decades, consumer electronics have become fundamental both in our personal and professional lives. That being said, not everyone can afford brand new devices, or consumers simply prefer not to spend remarkable amounts of money on them. In those cases, lower-cost alternatives are available, like second-hand and refurbished products, which contribute to the reduction of electronic waste and the sustainability of the tech industry.
Moving onto other devices, the refurbished PC market has also been growing in recent years. Similarly to the refurbished smartphone market, the big industry players – like Apple, Dell, and HP – offer refurbished versions of their products for lower prices.
All in all, the refurbished consumer tech market is expected to continue growing, catering to the needs of consumers wanting to save money and fostering a more sustainable approach in the tech industry.
A wide array of refurbished electronics devices
What are exactly second-hand and refurbished devices? Second-hand devices are products that were bought and resold, while refurbished goods, also known as reconditioned or manufactured goods, are products that were bought and returned to the retailer, who may adjust or fix them before selling them again. Nowadays, a wide range of used, second-hand, and refurbished electronic devices are available on the market, like smartphones, PCs, and tablets. Refurbished and used smartphones are the most common, with the market generating a revenue of almost 65 billion euros in 2023 and shipments of almost 310 million in the same year.Moving onto other devices, the refurbished PC market has also been growing in recent years. Similarly to the refurbished smartphone market, the big industry players – like Apple, Dell, and HP – offer refurbished versions of their products for lower prices.
The used smartphone market is growing in North America
North America is one of the major markets for the refurbished consumer tech industry. For instance, in 2024, 12 percent of Americans purchased second-hand electronics devices. Furthermore, Americans have many options available where to buy such products, like Walmart and BestBuy, where consumers can buy all kinds of refurbished smartphones, contributing to the growth of the flourishing refurbished smartphone industry in the country. Indeed, in 2023, North American refurbished smartphone market accounted for over 26 percent of the global market, shipping roughly 82 million used and refurbished smartphones – a number forecast to increase in the coming years, peaking at over 107 million by 2027.All in all, the refurbished consumer tech market is expected to continue growing, catering to the needs of consumers wanting to save money and fostering a more sustainable approach in the tech industry.
