Refurbished Phone Market Gains Momentum: Festive Season Revives Sector’s Fortunes

New Delhi: The refurbished smartphone market in India is witnessing a strong resurgence, thanks to the festive season. After a slowdown earlier in 2025, when major e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Flipkart scaled back sales of refurbished phones, companies such as Cashify and Control Z stepped in to sell directly to consumers (D2C), reviving growth and reshaping the sector’s outlook.

Early-Year Setback
According to Economic Times, the first half of 2025 saw Amazon and Flipkart exit the refurbished smartphone segment due to high return rates and quality concerns. This impacted numerous smaller players who relied on these platforms for sales.

D2C Model Sparks Revival
In response, companies like Cashify and Control Z expanded their direct-to-consumer channels, including online stores and offline outlets. Control Z co-founder Yug Bhatia said, “The exit of major platforms caused a temporary dip in sales, but it created a long-term opportunity for organized players. We expanded our inventory from iPhones to Android devices, and demand is clearly visible.”

Market Growth and Revenue Boost
Counterpoint Research reports a 9% year-on-year growth in India’s refurbished smartphone market during the first half of 2025. Cashify predicts it will close the year with a 40% revenue growth, driven partly by a 16% increase in trade-ins, which helped address the supply gap for used devices. Co-founder Nakul Kumar added, “Around 300,000 smartphones were sold directly to consumers through our online channel, accounting for nearly 20% of total sales. We also witnessed a 3% volume growth in D2C channels, and revenue surged 30–40% from ₹1,150 crore in 2024.”

Looking Ahead
The festive season has proven pivotal in reviving the refurbished phone market. With growing consumer awareness and expanding D2C channels, the sector is poised for robust growth into 2026, creating opportunities for both businesses and smartphone users seeking affordable, high-quality devices.