• Vodafone expands its online portfolio and now offers refurbished smartphones in partnership with Recommerce

• Large selection: Around 500 models in all popular colors and various condition categories

• The refurbished phones are up to 40% cheaper than new devices and come with a 24-month warranty

• The offer is available to both customers and non-customers, no contract required

Düsseldorf, September 17, 2025 - Vodafone is sending a clear signal for more sustainability in the smartphone market. Together with Recommerce, the telecommunications provider is launching its own Partner Shop for refurbished smartphones – i.e., used and professionally reconditioned devices. These are not only easier on the buyer's wallet, but also on the environment. By choosing a refurbished phone, customers avoid CO2 emissions and actively support a more responsible use of resources. Compared to other offers in the telecommunications market, Vodafone's new refurbished portfolio stands out with a particularly wide selection of models, attractive prices, and comprehensive services. This makes refurbished smartphones a competitive alternative to buying new.

"A recent study by the Vodafone Institute has shown that Germans are hesitant when it comes to buying refurbished phones. That's a shame, because refurbished smartphones offer many advantages for the price-conscious and for the environmentally conscious. With our new Partner Shop, we want to make these benefits accessible to a broader market." – Wolfgang Fettes, Head of Consumer Products & Services.

Wide Selection and Full Warranty

The new online portfolio from Vodafone and Recommerce offers a choice of around 500 different models in all popular colors and four clearly defined condition categories. There is also full transparency regarding battery life: a new battery can be ordered for an additional charge upon request. All devices are professionally inspected and come with a 24-month warranty. With this, Vodafone is committed to the highest service standards and is building trust, especially for customers who have been hesitant to buy refurbished smartphones until now. According to a recent study by the Vodafone Institute, Germans are still reserved in an international comparison. With this new offer, worries about battery performance and warranty are now a thing of the past.

Affordable Alternatives for Everyone – No Contract

Those who opt for a refurbished phone can save up to 40% compared to a new device. A refurbished iPhone 16, for example, is available in the Vodafone refurbished shop from €625.90 – the price for a new one is €849. The refurbished portfolio is available starting today in the refurbished shop and from September 18 directly via the Vodafone website. No contract is required. The offer is particularly aimed at Vodafone's prepaid and SIM-only customers, but non-customers can also purchase a refurbished smartphone from the online shop.

Partnership with Recommerce: Closing the Loop

Vodafone has been working with Recommerce since 2022 as part of its "Re-trade" trade-in program. This allows Vodafone customers to have their used phone evaluated via smart diagnostic software and sell it for a guaranteed price. After data erasure, the devices are professionally refurbished or recycled by Recommerce, depending on their condition. Since the program's launch, the number of phones returned via Vodafone Re-trade has been steadily increasing – with more than 50,000 devices in the last fiscal year alone. With the new Partner Shop for refurbished smartphones, these devices now find their way directly back to new users.

"Our partnership with Vodafone is a decisive step forward for sustainability in the smartphone market : a refurbished smartphone avoids the emission of 50kg of CO2 compared to a new one. Together, we can reach more people who want to benefit from affordable and sustainable devices, with certified quality guaranteed by labels such as RECQ label (delivered by DEKRA) and ISO 9001 certification. Vodafone has already been working with us on trade-in programs, and by now extending into refurbished sales, we offer customers a real alternative to buying new devices and close the loop for smartphones," says Augustin Becquet, CEO of the Recommerce Group.

Vodafone's Transformation

Vodafone is taking responsibility and supporting the shift towards more sustainability in the telecommunications industry with concrete measures and programs:

• 5-Year Promise: Customers with contracts from GigaMobil M upwards benefit from a free warranty extension and a free battery replacement for five years.

• Flexible Financing: Customers with contracts have the choice of a 12, 24, or 36-month term for smartphone financing. This encourages longer use and reduces the pressure to replace the device prematurely.

• "One for One" Circular Promise: For every new smartphone sold, Vodafone, through its Closing the Loop initiative, brings a used phone from countries without a secure recycling infrastructure back into the circular economy. More than 2.7 million old phones have already been saved from the scrap heap this way.

• Smartphone Insurance covers the costs of repairs in case of damage. This extends the lifespan of the devices and reduces new purchases.
  
  

  
  

About Vodafone Germany:

Vodafone is one of Germany's leading communications groups. Vodafone's networks connect people and machines, families and friends, as well as politics, business, and society. Millions of people are Vodafone customers – whether they are surfing the web, making calls, or watching TV; whether they are connecting their office, their home, or their factory with Vodafone technology.

The Düsseldorf-based company provides internet, mobile, landline, and television from a single source. As a digitalization expert for the German economy, Vodafone is a trusted partner for startups, medium-sized businesses, and DAX corporations alike. With around 30 million mobile, over 10 million broadband, and around 9 million TV customers, as well as numerous digital solutions, Vodafone Germany generates a total annual revenue of approximately 13 billion euros with around 14,000 employees. Vodafone is driving infrastructure expansion in Germany and reaches two-thirds of all German households with gigabit speeds on its nationwide cable-fiber optic network. Together with its partner OXG, the Düsseldorf-based company will build up to seven million new FTTH fiber optic connections in the coming years. With its 5G network, Vodafone reaches more than 93 percent of the population in Germany. Vodafone's Machine Network (Narrowband IoT) for industry and business operates on more than 97% of Germany's area.

Vodafone Germany is the largest national subsidiary of the Vodafone Group, one of the world's largest telecommunications groups, with a share of around 35% of the total revenue. Vodafone has over 330 million mobile and fixed-network customers worldwide and one of the largest IoT platforms.

Vodafone is creating a better future for all. Because technology paves the way for a digital and more sustainable tomorrow for people and businesses. The Group is committed to reducing its environmental footprint, with the goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.

Diversity is firmly anchored in Vodafone's corporate culture and is promoted through numerous measures. These include offerings to balance family and work, as well as networks for women, fathers, or LGBT+. Vodafone respects and values all people: regardless of ethnic origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, faith, culture, or religion.

Further information: www.vodafone-deutschland.de or www.vodafone.com

About Recommerce Group:

RECOMMERCE GROUP is the European pioneer in the refurbishment of high-tech products, particularly smartphones. Founded in 2009, Recommerce buys used equipment, offers software and application trade-in solutions to retailers, individuals and companies, and refurbishes and resells refurbished equipment, including smartphones and games consoles. The company distributes its refurbished products under the “Recommerce©” brand name, and sells them on www.recommerce.com as well as in many European countries via distributors and telecom operators. As part of its commitment to the circular and responsible economy, the company promotes the trade-in and reuse of equipment through the application of artificial intelligence technologies applied to the industrial sector. Founded by Pierre-Etienne Roinat, Benoit Varin, Cédric Maucourt and Antoine Jeanjean, Recommerce has become one of Europe’s leaders in the trade-in, refurbishment and resale of high-tech products, and currently has over 200 employees in Europe. Recommerce is certified ISO 14001, ISO 9001, ISO 27001 by DNV and is labelled RecQ - Quality Refurbishment, the first European label certifying the quality of the end product by DEKRA Certification, as well as rated Gold by Ecovadis for its CSR policy.

Press contact: pr@recommerce.com