Cashify says India’s refurbished-phone demand rose 30.8% in 2025 as iPhones led premium shift

Cashify reports demand is moving upmarket: devices priced above ₹45,000 reached 17.4% of demand, while Apple accounted for over 65% of refurbished smartphone sales. Buybacks rose 29% year-on-year and average buyback value climbed 34% to ₹8,573.

— Source publishedWed, 2 Sept, 2026, 06:15 IST·First seen Wed, 2 Sept, 2026, 06:40 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

Cashify reports India’s refurbished-phone market is moving upmarket, with 2025 demand up 30.8%. Apple supplied over 65% of sales, led by iPhone 13. Rising

Key facts

  • Refurbished phone demand grew 30.8% in 2025
  • Demand for refurbished devices above ₹45,000 reached 17.4%
  • ₹20,000-₹45,000 was the largest refurbished-sales price band
  • Sub-₹10,000 devices fell to about 8.4% of D2C sales from 10.7% in 2024
  • Apple represented over 65% of refurbished smartphone sales
  • Non-phone categories accounted for 16.7% of refurbished sales, up from 8% in 2024
  • Mobile buybacks rose 29% year-on-year
  • Average buyback value increased 34% to ₹8,573
  • 5G devices' share of Cashify sales rose from 5% in 2022 to over 54% in 2025
  • iPhone 13 represented 6.93% of buybacks and up to 15.5% of refurbished sales
  • India has over 300 mobile manufacturing units
  • Mobile-phone exports reached ₹2 lakh crore in FY2024-25
  • India generated over 14 lakh metric tonnes of e-waste in FY2025-26, with over 9.79 lakh metric tonnes recycled

Why this matters

Cashify’s growing buyback network and premium-device momentum make it a strategic partner or target for OEMs, retailers, fintechs and marketplaces seeking circular-economy capabilities in India.

What to watch

  • Sustained growth in the ₹45,000-plus segment and Apple maintaining or exceeding 65% of refurbished sales.
  • Whether average buyback values continue rising faster than resale prices, signaling margin pressure.
  • New iPhone launch trade-in volumes and the discount gap between new and refurbished premium devices.
  • Warranty-claim rates, battery replacement costs, and return rates for premium refurbished inventory.
  • Expansion of OEM-certified refurbished programs, which could validate demand but intensify competition.
  • Policy changes affecting used-device imports, e-waste compliance, data-wiping standards, or GST treatment.
  • Expand premium iPhone sourcing through instant trade-in partnerships with electronics chains, telecom operators, and OEM-adjacent channels.
  • Add financing, extended warranty, battery-health certification, and guaranteed buyback programs to convert aspirational premium buyers.
  • Increase refurbishment capacity for high-value models and use tighter grading to protect margins as average acquisition cost rises.
  • Target Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities with exchange-led upgrade offers, where affordability and trust can expand the premium refurbished customer base.
  • Use buyback-price data to dynamically manage inventory exposure around new iPhone launches and major sale events.