iPhones Made Up Nearly Half of All Refurbished Smartphone Sales in 2022

[MacRumors]

Apple's sales of refurbished iPhones saw double-digit growth in 2022, further solidifying its dominance in the global market for returned and repackaged smartphones.

According to Counterpoint Research (via DigiTimes), Apple's refurbished sales grew by 16%, earning it a 49% share of the market last year, up from 44% in 2021. While Apple controlled almost half of the market, Samsung was a distant second with a 26% share, down from 28% the previous year.

India became the largest refurbished smartphone market in 2022, due to China experiencing a 17% decline in refurbished phone sales in the same year, according to the market tracker. Most emerging markets saw limited supply of refurbished devices with consumers reportedly holding on to new smartphones for longer.

Apple outfits all refurbished iPhone models with new batteries, outer shells, and a fresh USB-C to Lightning cable, so they are essentially identical to new in the box iPhones. Refurbished iPhones from Apple are also unlocked and can be used with any carrier.

Continuing popularity for refurbished iPhones is also partly down to Apple's warranty policy that includes a full one year of AppleCare+ covering batteries and outer shell repairs, as well as the option to purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage.

In general, global smartphone sales were impacted in 2022 by rising component prices and unusually high inflation, which led to a higher demand for lower priced, refurbished models across the market, according to Counterpoint. However, IDC suggests that interest in refurbished phones may turn out to be a long-term trend over the next few years thanks to trade-in programs and device premiumization.

Article Link: iPhones Made Up Nearly Half of All Refurbished Smartphone Sales in 2022

 

[Tripps9000]

Some times it is cheaper to buy refurbished phone then a new one👍🏻

 

[yellow8]

I would say that it is the consequence of increasing prices

 

[Solomani]

Apple: Half of the refurbished smartphones are Apple phones. Refurb, re-use, recycle!


Samsung: Meh. That's nothing! We disposed of 4.3 million Samsung phones in one year, filling a landfill the size of Bangkok!

Dumping 4.3 Million Samsung Phones Is an Environmental Disaster, Warns Greenpeace​

What will happen to 4+ million dumped Samsung Note7s?​

 

[ForkHandles]

Apple: Half of the refurbished smartphones are Apple phones. Refurb, re-use, recycle!


Samsung: Meh. That's nothing! We disposed of 4.3 million Samsung phones in one year, filling a landfill the size of Bangkok!

Dumping 4.3 Million Samsung Phones Is an Environmental Disaster, Warns Greenpeace​

What will happen to 4+ million dumped Samsung Note7s?​

That would take up about 300 cubic yards. A pool 10 by 10 , 3 yards deep. Still something, but Bangkok has lots of pools that size!

 

[winxmac]

I guess blame it to the YouTube reviewers who return their review units and those who buy at launch but changes their mind later to switch to another model or to android...

 

[bLackjackj]

Some times it is cheaper to buy refurbished phone then a new one👍🏻

Are you sure you're on the right website? This is the site where we replace our phones EVERY year 😏..who the hell wants somebody else's 12 month+ old refurbished iPhone 🤦‍♂️

 

[Colpeas]

Well good news for environment. But after bitter experience with several refurbished apple watches, I’d almost rather buy a used phone from the 1st owner than a freshly factory refurbished device. Not mentioning the negligible price difference in most cases…

 

[contacos]

Some times it is cheaper to buy refurbished phone then a new one👍🏻

You would hope so 😅

 

[ifxf]

Lots of phones returned by writers on this board. Phone has a scratch you need a magnifying glass to see return it. Phone‘s screen is slightly more yellow then last phone return it.

 

[FreakinEurekan]

Continuing popularity for refurbished iPhones is also partly down to Apple's warranty policy that includes a full one year of AppleCare+ covering batteries and outer shell repairs

No, it’s one year of WARRANTY coverage. AppleCare+ also covers accidental damage, which isn’t part of the default warranty.

 

[SmugMaverick]

The desperation to own an iPhone and not be seen as poor means people will do this.

 

[TGM85]

Apple Certified Refurbished products are really great value, not at all comparable to refurbishing by third party sellers.

 

[one more]

“IDC suggests that interest in refurbished phones may turn out to be a long-term trend over the next few years thanks to trade-in programs and device premiumization.”

“Premiumization” meaning they just cost too much for most people? If so, there is an easy fix for it.

 

[rikki_t]

I'm waiting for the 14 to launch, my battery bit the dust, because I also had a crack in the screen and was out of warranty it turned out to be cheaper to buy a refurb than have it repaired, so many reasons why people buy a refurb.,

 

[sorgo †]

‘Cause ****’s expensive

 

[saudor]

Still rocking an 8+, replaced the battery before price went up and runs like new. Phones have finally reached the point of computers and even GPUs. the hardware surpasses the software requirements by quite a bit so it's not like the old days of the 3GS/4 where 2 gen behind = super slow

 

[mattopotamus]

Apple Certified Refurbished products are really great value, not at all comparable to refurbishing by third party sellers.

This is the key. Outside of the box, they are indistinguishable from new. That is across the board on their refurb products: Watches, Macs, etc.

 

[Guacamole]

so what happens to overstock phones, phones that are not actually sold ? where do they go?

 

[alexandr]

Some times it is cheaper to buy refurbished phone then a new one👍🏻

Yea... it's always cheaper to buy a refurbished phone, buddy...

 

[coffeemilktea]

It helps that iPhones stay supported for a long time; a lot of brand-new Android phones will stop getting software updates after three years (if that).

 

[LeeW]

Some times it is cheaper to buy refurbished phone then a new one👍🏻

I would hope it is always cheaper, not just sometimes.

 

[Jxdawg]

It helps that iPhones stay supported for a long time; a lot of brand-new Android phones will stop getting software updates after three years (if that).

This. I recently bought an Amazon renewed (technically not refurbished, just cleaned and inspected with a 90 day warranty) iPhone 12 mini for around $300. Minor, and I mean MINOR, scratches and 85% battery life are the only issues with it. Otherwise, I have a phone, that doesn’t require me to take out a second mortgage, for at least 4-5 years. Much better deal than the new iPhone SE, even if it means it will get more updates.

 

[4odomi]

Apple's sales of refurbished iPhones saw double-digit growth in 2022, further solidifying its dominance in the global market for returned and repackaged smartphones.

According to Counterpoint Research (via DigiTimes), Apple's refurbished sales grew by 16%, earning it a 49% share of the market last year, up from 44% in 2021. While Apple controlled almost half of the market, Samsung was a distant second with a 26% share, down from 28% the previous year.

India became the largest refurbished smartphone market in 2022, due to China experiencing a 17% decline in refurbished phone sales in the same year, according to the market tracker. Most emerging markets saw limited supply of refurbished devices with consumers reportedly holding on to new smartphones for longer.

Apple outfits all refurbished iPhone models with new batteries, outer shells, and a fresh USB-C to Lightning cable, so they are essentially identical to new in the box iPhones. Refurbished iPhones from Apple are also unlocked and can be used with any carrier.

Continuing popularity for refurbished iPhones is also partly down to Apple's warranty policy that includes a full one year of AppleCare+ covering batteries and outer shell repairs, as well as the option to purchase extended AppleCare+ coverage.

In general, global smartphone sales were impacted in 2022 by rising component prices and unusually high inflation, which led to a higher demand for lower priced, refurbished models across the market, according to Counterpoint. However, IDC suggests that interest in refurbished phones may turn out to be a long-term trend over the next few years thanks to trade-in programs and device premiumization.

Article Link: iPhones Made Up Nearly Half of All Refurbished Smartphone Sales in 2022

Apple refurbished are still pretty pricey, they're only discounted by 15%, however they are like new, with full 12 months warranty and the ability to still get Apple care +.
The real deals are for almost new units on Ebay, if you're not bothered about Apple care.
I've just bought an Apple Watch 8 stainless steel, 4 months old, not a mark on it, with 8 months warranty left, for £460.00, in comparison an Apple refurb would have cost me £656.00

 

[Beatrix Kiddo]

This. I recently bought an Amazon renewed (technically not refurbished, just cleaned and inspected with a 90 day warranty) iPhone 12 mini for around $300. Minor, and I mean MINOR, scratches and 85% battery life are the only issues with it. Otherwise, I have a phone, that doesn’t require me to take out a second mortgage, for at least 4-5 years. Much better deal than the new iPhone SE, even if it means it will get more updates.

Used iPhone 12 mini with a 85% battery health is not the phone you can keep for 3-4 years.

Battery life is not acceptable for 99% out there.