India’s refurbished smartphone market grew 13% year on year during the first half of 2026, even as sales of new smartphones declined by around 11%, according to Counterpoint Research. Rising prices for new handsets are encouraging consumers to look towards the secondary market, particularly when refurbished premium devices offer stronger specifications at a lower price.

The shift is particularly relevant to the circular economy because trade-in and exchange programmes are helping supply the secondary market with devices that can be tested, repaired and resold. Samsung accounted for around 30% of India’s refurbished smartphone market, while Apple represented 23%, with the iPhone 13 among the most sought-after models.

The Indian market also highlights the importance of developing organised refurbishment infrastructure. Although informal channels still represent the majority of used-phone sales, certified refurbishers and recommerce platforms are expanding, creating more structured routes for devices to be reused. Counterpoint expects the refurbished smartphone market to grow further in 2026, reinforcing the role of refurbishment in extending device lifecycles and reducing electronic waste.