Study
8 janv. 2026
Recommerce, the pioneer and European leader of refurbishment, unveils the results of the 2025 edition of its RE! Index. This annual analysis, based on the Group's sales in Europe, offers a strategic reading of consumer trends and the valuation dynamics of refurbished technological products.
The 2025 edition confirms the sector's growing professionalization but, above all, reveals the impact of structured buyback and resale channels on economic performance for the consumer.
(Source: Recommerce Data)
Trend #1 : Apple's performance: analysis of resilience and value retention
While the ranking of best-selling volumes remains largely dominated by Apple, the Top 10 of the RE! Index 2025 highlights a unique value dynamic.
Analysis of value retention: The best-selling iPhones are, on average, 4th or 5th generation models, contrasting sharply with other brands. This phenomenon is explained by the robustness of the Apple ecosystem, extended software support that maintains the usability of older models, and a strategy of relative scarcity in the second-hand market that supports Annual Depreciation Rates (ADR) that are among the lowest in the sector.
Focus on recent models: The rapid entry of the iPhone 14 range into the ranking and the first volumes of iPhone 15 entering the market show an acceleration of the cycle. This acceleration has been driven by the introduction of USB-C on this latest generation, which favors interoperability and fleet rotation.
Trend #2 : The structuring of android as a growth driver
Despite Apple models dominating the Top 10, the Android segment remains essential for capturing the "mass market" (which predominantly owns Android phones) and for ensuring a broad offer across all price segments.
Focus on the lifecycle: Unlike Apple, the best-performing Android models are more recent (3rd generation on average). This youthfulness of Android models in the refurbished market indicates that the Android segment is still in a structuring phase and that consumers favor more recent devices for better immediate value for money.
Diversification of ranges: Samsung's domination of the Android charts is confirmed, with the Galaxy S22 ranking in the Top 10 as the only non-Apple model, as well as a notable performance by the Galaxy A54 which is climbing in sales. This attests that the refurbished market of Samsung is no longer solely reliant on the high-end Galaxy S series but extends to mid/high-range models, driven by considerable new sales volumes.
The emergence of challengers: Google and Xiaomi are not yet in the Top 10 but are progressing rapidly (the Pixel 7 moves from 80th to 38th place). Their recent rise in power in the premium segment of the new market foreshadows a more substantial refurbished offer in the coming years.
💡Recommerce strategic insight: the challenge of multi-brand coverage Analysis of our data reveals a structural necessity for multi-brand coverage to respond to the market. Unlike specialized players, Recommerce's approach is based on the management and valuation of all mobile ecosystems (Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, etc.). This ability to refurbish and distribute a diversity of models allows us to:
Guarantee offer consistency: Maintain an offer of Android products in line with local demand. |
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Trend #3 : Purchasing power gain: discount accelerates in favor of consumers
The analysis of the discount (average selling price compared to the launch price) reveals a favorable trend for buyers: at an equivalent generation, average selling prices have proportionally decreased in 2025.
On average, the selling price of a latest-generation refurbished product now stands at 36.4% of its launch price, compared to 40% the previous year. This 3.6 point variation does not necessarily reflect a collapse in the value of refurbished goods, but rather a decoupling from the inflation of new products.
Socio-economic and regulatory impact: Inflationary pressure on new products pushes households to optimize their tech spending, while regulatory measures like the Anti-Waste Law (AGEC), by establishing warranty and durability obligations, consolidate consumer confidence. This regulatory environment, combined with an imperative for savings, positions the refurbished market as the main alternative to buying new.
💡Recommerce strategic insight: towards a professionalization of the offer This relative price drop is an indicator of the growing industrialization of the sector. It results from increased operational efficiency, an increase in supply volumes thanks to better buyback logistics, and healthy competition between players. The refurbished market thus offers an increasingly aggressive value proposition in the face of rising prices for new products. |
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"The conclusions of this new edition of the RE! Index 2025 are clear: demand for refurbished products is strong, but the supply has professionalized. Our sales analysis (RE! Index) shows that the structuring of our sector translates directly into an unprecedented benefit for purchasing power” declares Augustin Becquet, CEO of Recommerce.
Methodology:
This index is compiled using data extracted from the Recommerce Data solution, analyzing sales volumes generated by Recommerce Group throughout 2025 across the entirety of its channels of distribution in Europe.
About Recommerce Group:
Founded in 2009, Recommerce Group is the European pioneer and leader in the refurbishment of high-tech products. Its mission: extend the lifespan of electronic devices to reduce their environmental impact and make technology more sustainable and accessible. The group operates through two main activities: the distribution of refurbished products via its Recommerce© brand and its extensive network of retail and telecom operators partners; and the provision of trade-in and resale technologies. To support brands and retailers in their transition to a circular model, Recommerce Group launched CircularX in 2021, a white-label SaaS platform to manage trade-in programs across more than 50 product categories.
Each year, Recommerce handles over 1.1 million devices, supported by an industrial refurbishment process optimized by artificial intelligence. It’s more than 250 experts, present in 12 countries, contribute to building a more circular and responsible technological model. The quality and reliability of its operations are recognized by numerous certifications: ISO 9001, 14001, and 27001, the RECQ label (Reconditionnement de Qualité - Quality Refurbishment) issued by DEKRA Certifications, as well as a Gold level Ecovadis rating.
For more information:
Corporate website: recommerce-group.com
Recommerce products: recommerce.com
CircularX platform: circularx.com
Contact: