Older iPhone models by Apple (Photo credit: EPA–Yonhap)
SEOUL, Oct. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — Global sales of refurbished smartphones have entered a plateau, with growth stagnating in advanced economies but Apple gaining strong momentum in emerging markets, according to a new industry report.
Market tracker Counterpoint Research said Wednesday that worldwide sales of refurbished, or “refurb” phones—devices repaired and resold after return or display use—rose just 3 percent year-on-year in the first half of 2025, signaling a slowdown in overall growth.
While sales in the United States and major European countries remained nearly flat or even declined, resulting in only 1 percent growth across developed markets, emerging markets recorded a 4 percent increase. Apple led the gains with a 12 percent surge in refurb phone sales in emerging economies.
Samsung, meanwhile, expanded its market share by 4 percent in advanced economies but saw limited overall growth due to weak market conditions.
Fifth-generation (5G) smartphones accounted for 57 percent of refurbished sales in the first half, up 65 percent from a year earlier, reflecting accelerating demand for newer-generation devices in secondary markets.
Counterpoint forecast that the global refurbished phone market will remain resilient in the second half of the year despite broader macroeconomic uncertainty. Demand for recent flagship models—including Apple’s iPhone 13 and 14 series and Samsung’s Galaxy S lineup—is expected to stay strong in developed markets.
“The competition in the refurbished phone sector is intensifying, which is squeezing profit margins and making it harder for vendors to secure used phone supply,” said Jan Stryjak, research director at Counterpoint. “As supply tightens, countries that rely on imports have fewer device options available.”
He added that companies are increasingly turning to “as-is” phone sales—devices resold without repair—to reduce operational costs, noting that sales of such units rose 10 percent in the first half of 2025 from a year earlier.
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
