A market reaching maturity
The secondhand consumer electronics market has moved from the margins to the mainstream. What was once dominated by classified ads is now a sophisticated, platform-driven industry.
The key numbers
Global market size: The secondhand electronics market is estimated to reach over $100 billion by 2028, up from approximately $52 billion in 2023.
Smartphone resale: Refurbished smartphone shipments are growing at approximately 10% annually — outpacing the overall smartphone market significantly.
Trade-in penetration: In mature markets like the US, UK, and Germany, device trade-in at point of new purchase now accounts for 25–40% of transactions at major carriers and retailers.
What's driving growth
- Economic pressure on household budgets
- Growing environmental awareness around e-waste
- Established platforms with buyer guarantees building confidence
- EU right-to-repair legislation incentivising reuse
- Enterprise buyback and ITAD programmes expanding
Conclusion
The device resale and reuse market is not a passing trend. It's a structural shift in how consumers and businesses think about technology ownership — and the businesses that establish category authority now will be hardest to displace.