Cashify says India’s refurbished-phone market is moving upmarket, led by iPhones
Refurbished-phone demand rose 30.8% in 2025, according to Cashify, while devices priced above ₹45,000 accounted for 17.4% of demand. Apple contributed more than 65% of refurbished smartphone sales as higher trade-in values and faster 5G resale support the circular-electronics market.
What happened
Cashify reports India’s refurbished-phone market is moving upmarket, with 2025 demand up 30.8% and Apple contributing over 65% of sales. Higher buyback values,
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 band
- Sub-₹10,000 share fell to 8.4% of D2C sales from 10.7% in 2024
- Apple represented more than 65% of refurbished smartphone sales
- Non-phone categories reached 16.7% of refurbished sales, versus 8% in 2024
- Mobile buybacks grew 29% year-on-year
- Average buyback value rose 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; over 9.79 lakh metric tonnes were recycled
Why this matters
Prioritize partnerships or acquisitions in device grading, trade-in logistics, warranty, and financing that can secure premium Apple supply and improve control of the refurbishment value chain.
What to watch
- Share of refurbished demand above ₹45,000 and Apple’s share of certified-refurbished sales.
- Trade-in value changes for iPhone 13/14/15 and comparable Samsung 5G flagships after major launches.
- Growth in certified-refurbished inventory, average days-to-sell, return rates and warranty claims.
- Expansion of EMI, BNPL and insurance eligibility for refurbished devices.
- New right-to-repair, e-waste, battery-health disclosure or refurbished-device quality regulations in India.
- Cashify and rivals expand premium-device sourcing, standardized grading, battery replacement and extended-warranty offerings.
- Apple-focused resellers and marketplaces promote exchange bonuses tied to newer iPhone launches and EMI plans for refurbished flagships.
- Android OEMs increase trade-in incentives and certified-refurbished programs to defend premium and upper-midrange buyers.
- Repair, diagnostics, logistics and device-insurance providers invest in reverse-logistics capacity and parts supply.
- Retailers position refurbished iPhones against new ₹25,000-₹45,000 Android devices using monthly-payment comparisons.