Recommerce©, the European expert in the trade-in and refurbishment of high-tech products, today reveals the 2026 edition of its Barometer on the second-hand mobile market, conducted with Kantar across 14 countries. This edition highlights a European refurbished smartphone market reaching a new level of maturity, with nearly one in five smartphones currently in use being second-hand. 

18% of Europeans currently own a second-hand smartphone

The use of second-hand smartphones continues to grow in Europe, now representing 18% of devices in circulation across the region. France and Germany lead the way with 23% second-hand handsets, followed closely by Slovakia (20%) and the United Kingdom (19%), which makes a notable debut in its first year of inclusion in the barometer.

33% of Europeans have already purchased a mobile from a professional. The UK particularly stands out, with 44% of its population having already taken the plunge—the highest rate in the study—ahead of France (39%) and the Netherlands (37%). This trend is expected to intensify, as 55% of Europeans state they intend to buy their next mobile from a professional.

Generally, Europeans are increasingly opting for second-hand, despite disparities between more mature and emerging markets.

Purchasing Factors: Between economic pragmatism and service requirements

In a context marked by inflation, affordability remains the primary driver for refurbished purchases for 64% of Europeans. Germany (64%) and France (71%) show high rates, while Portugal peaks at 77%. Beyond price, consumers demand peace of mind: the presence of a warranty is a deciding factor for 28% of Europeans, a figure that rises to 35% in the UK and in Portugal. 

Digital channels have become the norm, with 83% of purchase intentions occurring online across Europe. Refurbishment specialists are favored by 60% of potential buyers, with a record in Germany where 70% of consumers consider this channel. Telecom operators remain key players, particularly in the UK (56%) and Hungary (58%). Physical retail also remains vital, with over half (54%) of Europeans intending to visit a store, demonstrating the successful deployment of refurbished offers across Europe and all channels.

Trade-ins: Western countries in the lead

2026 marks a turning point in product end-of-life management: 37% of Europeans sold their previous mobile in the last 12 months, a 4-point increase compared to last year. The Netherlands lead the way with 47%, while Germany and Switzerland have consolidated their position as European leaders in trade-ins, with 42% of users having sold their old devices, exceeding both the European average and the French market (37%).

The resale market remains promising, with 38% of Europeans declaring their intention to sell their current mobile. France (44%) and other western countries such as UK, Belgium and Germany (around 40%) show the strongest intentions. Meanwhile, the reflex to keep an old phone "just in case" is declining, falling to 35% at the European level (compared to 38% for the previous mobile), signaling a genuine shift in the market. The Eastern market is also showing encouraging sings with two countries emerging in terms of reselling intentions : Slovakia at 43% and Romania at 40%.

“The results of this 6th edition mark a true tipping point for the European market. We are no longer in early adoption or a simple reaction to inflation: the refurbished smartphone is now established as a sustainable consumer standard. With 18% of Europeans currently using a second hand smartphone in 2025, we can confidently estimate that 1 out of 5 smartphones in use will be second hand by 2027, nearly 30M units with a €9 to 10 billion value. 

The strong entry of the UK and the rapid acceleration of countries on trade-in prove that European consumers have definitively recognized the value of their devices. We are moving from a linear model of 'useless storage' to a true circular reflex. The major challenge for our industry in the coming years is no longer just to democratize the purchase, but to scale up and simplify trade-ins to feed this market and meet a demand for quality that never stops growing.”Augustin Becquet, CEO of Recommerce Group. 

KANTAR Methodology : Online study conducted from January 11 to 15, 2026, among 7,750 individuals in 13 countries: France, Belgium, Germany, Netherlands, Romania, Switzerland, UK, Italy, Spain, Hungary, Portugal, Czech Republic, and Slovakia, aged 11 to 65 and representative of the individuals living in each country. 

Note :  When the survey refers to "second-hand mobiles," it encompasses second-hand phones bought from individuals as well as refurbished mobiles sold by a professional (tested, reset, checked, cleaned, guaranteed, and delivered with new accessories).