Le Monde, a leading French newspaper, revealed over the weekend that the French market for used smartphones is booming. In 2023, 17.1% of all smartphones sold in France were second-hand or refurbished, a rate that is among the highest in Europe.
This success is largely attributed to the French network Orange. They have a long history of selling used phones both online and in all shops, and offer a very comprehensive trade-in programme. Their target is to reach a 30% trade-in rate by 2025. Additionally, utch operators could benefit from their example.
An average used device is 28% cheaper than an average new phone and previous research indicates that a 30% price difference makes consumers switch to a used smartphone. The average price of a used device went up to €397 – including 20% VAT – in 2023, compared to €260 in 2017. This is a massive 153% increase, showcasing clearly that this market is developing. Consumers are intentionally selecting used and often a more premium device and besides the price factor, durability also remains an important reason for choosing refurb.