Refurbished handsets have become a mainstream part of the UK smartphone market. New figures from IndexBox show that refurbished devices now account for between 18% and 22% of all smartphone units sold in the country. In 2020 the category was still a niche.

In value terms, the UK refurbished phone market is estimated at roughly £1.1 billion to £1.3 billion in 2026. IndexBox expects it to grow by about 8% to 9% a year until 2035, a steady rise that suggests refurbished devices are a lasting fixture for British consumers rather than a passing trend.

The data also points to a lot of room for professionalisation. Only around a fifth of the refurbished market currently runs through organised, formal channels, with the rest handled by smaller or informal sellers. That fragmentation leaves consumers facing inconsistent standards from one seller to the next.

For the industry, the biggest growth opportunity may therefore be credibility rather than price. Clear grading, rigorous quality control and dependable after-sales support are likely to set the winners apart, as shoppers who already accept refurbished phones look for sellers they can rely on.