Gentilly, February 24, 2025 – Recommerce©, the European expert in trade-in and refurbishment of high-tech products, unveils the results of the 8th edition of its annual “Second hand Mobile Market" Barometer conducted in partnership with Kantar across 13 European countries. This 2025 edition confirms that refurbished devices continue to stand out as a sustainable and economical alternative. After several years of steady growth, the market is entering a consolidation phase, establishing itself as a mature market, with increasingly informed and demanding consumers.

3 Key Insights from the 2025 Barometer:

• For the first time, over 20% of smartphones in use in France are second-hand

• More than half of French people (53%) are considering buying a refurbished smartphone, and this figure rises to 60% among 16–34-year-olds

• 60% of parents surveyed have already bought a refurbished smartphone for their children (ages 11–18)

Over 1 out of 5 smartphones in France is second-hand

In 2025, 22% of smartphones in use in France are second-hand, up from 20% in 2024. This figure has tripled over the past 7 years — in 2018 (the year the first Barometer was released), only 7% of smartphones in use were second-hand.

Furthermore, 45% of French people have already owned a second-hand smartphone, a significant increase from 27% in 2018.

Refurbished smartphones — which always include a warranty, data wiping, full inspection and repairs, unlike peer-to-peer purchases — continue to appeal due to their economic benefits, with price remaining the main purchase driver (72%). Environmental concerns come second, with 36% of respondents citing ecological reasons for considering a refurbished smartphone.

French consumers are turning to trusted specialists

Consumers are increasingly choosing telecom experts for refurbished smartphone purchases. Nearly 30% of French consumers prefer telecom operators, followed by specialist electronics retailers (23%) and dedicated refurbished platforms (20%). This shift reveals a growing need for reliable advice, warranties, and after-sales service.

More than 1 in 2 French people (53%) say they would consider buying a refurbished phone from a professional in the future.

Barriers remain: concerns over warranty and durability

Despite the market’s stabilization, key concerns persist. Warranties play a crucial role in the decision-making process. While 30% of consumers choose refurbished phones because they come with a warranty, 28% (a 7-point increase from last year) avoid them due to the misconception that they don’t come with one — highlighting the need for better communication about warranty policies.

In addition, 39% of respondents cite a lack of visibility on product lifespan, underlining the importance of reassuring consumers about product reliability.

At the same time, fewer French people are rejecting refurbished phones in favor of new ones: 39% in 2025, down 5 points from 2024, continuing a long-term trend.

Parents overwhelmingly choose refurbished phones for their children

A closer look at consumer intentions reveals that over 60% of 16–34-year-olds are considering a refurbished smartphone — a strong upward trend among young buyers (+7 points above the national average). This shift is particularly significant among 11–18-year-olds, who are increasingly receiving refurbished devices as their first smartphone.

For parents, refurbished phones are the obvious choice: 60% of parents surveyed said they have already bought one for their child, and 20% plan to do so in the future.

Nearly 70% of parents spend between €100 and €299 on their child’s first phone, making refurbished smartphones an ideal solution for quality and affordability.

While perception and quality expectations still need work, a generational shift is underway — one in which refurbished becomes the default option, driven by youth who are more environmentally conscious and aligned with the circular economy.

Insights from Augustin Becquet, CEO of Recommerce

“The used smartphone market has grown rapidly in recent years. Today’s stabilization phase presents an opportunity to structure the offer and ensure high-quality refurbished products for consumers. It’s also crucial to optimize trade-in programs to secure better-quality local supply, with clear traceability and alignment with current European standards.

Trade-in is a strategic issue: while almost 40% of French people plan to sell their current phones, 37% still choose to keep them. There is still significant awareness-raising to do about the benefits of selling unused devices rather than letting them sit idle. Avoiding mass imports from Asia or the U.S. — which drive down prices — and structuring robust, localized trade-in programs is key to ensuring balanced supply and demand in the refurbished sector.

Recommerce and other stakeholders must continue to build consumer trust. It’s critical to communicate clearly about warranties, which, by law, should be equivalent to those of new devices. We must also promote the rigorous reconditioning processes used to ensure product quality.

Consumers are increasingly turning to trusted brands and partners offering a full-service experience. Recommerce remains committed to supporting those partners, with a focus on quality, warranties, and customer experience.”

KANTAR methodology:

Online study conducted from January 11 to 15, 2025, among 7,750 individuals across 13 countries: France, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, Poland, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Slovakia. Respondents were aged 11–65, representative of the populations in each country.

Note: The term "used mobile phones" includes second-hand phones purchased from individuals (peer-to-peer) as well as refurbished phones sold by professionals (devices that have been tested, reset, inspected, cleaned, guaranteed, and provided with new accessories).

About Recommerce Group

Recommerce Group is a pioneer in Europe in the field of trade-in and refurbishment of high-tech products, particularly smartphones. Founded in 2009, Recommerce buys used devices, provides software and app-based trade-in solutions for consumers, retailers, and companies, and refurbishes and resells smartphones, game consoles, and laptops (e.g., MacBooks). Its refurbished products are sold under the registered consumer brand “Recommerce©”, on www.recommerce.com, and through distributors and telecom operators across many European countries.

Committed to the circular and responsible economy, the company promotes the reuse of used devices by applying AI-driven technologies in industrial refurbishment. Founded by Pierre-Etienne Roinat, Benoit Varin, Cédric Maucourt, and Antoine Jeanjean, Recommerce has become a leading European player in the trade-in and resale of refurbished high-tech products. Recommerce was listed in the Next 40 (2020) and French Tech 120 (2021 and 2022).

Recommerce’s processes are certified ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 by DNV and carry the RecQ label (ReConditionnement de Qualité) – the first European label certifying the final product’s quality, issued by DEKRA Certification. The company also holds Platinum ranking from Ecovadis for its CSR practices.

Press contact – Wellcom Agency
recommerce@wellcom.fr
+33 (0)1 46 34 60 60