Digitec confirms a certain “boom” in used smartphones

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We already have reported here the efforts of several companies and operators in the used smartphone market. This time, Digitec is cracking a press release to highlight a certain “boom” in this field of activity.

This leap forward should however be put into perspective … “This year, refurbished devices are expected to represent nearly one percent of total smartphone sales at Digitec and Galaxus ”, according to this text released Thursday. That said, “from January to June 2020, Digitec Galaxus customers bought two and a half times more refurbished mobile phones than during the same period in 2019”, it is further specified.

Several suppliers

In January 2019, with the Remade brand, Digitec Galaxus said it had become the first Swiss online retailer to have included in its assortment second-hand cellphones that have been professionally tested and repaired. In November, three other suppliers of used smartphones were added: Revendo.ch, Recommerce.ch and Recommerce Swiss.

If Digitec Galaxus should only sell a few thousand smartphones of this type in 2020, it does not intend to stop there. “In two years, we expect a two to three percent share of sales,” says Stefan Franchi, head of cell phone purchasing at Digitec Galaxus.

Apple: a strong value

In general, iPhones are doing well in this market with a sales proportion of 90%. At Digitec and Galaxus, refurbished smartphones from the Samsung, Sony, Huawei and Xiaomi brands are largely lagging behind: “iPhones can be refurbished up to twice thanks to the quality of their design,” explains Stefan Franchi.

The brand owned by Migros believes that iPhones are characterized by high stability of value and therefore a high redemption value. She notably mentions Apple’s security update policy for many generations of older devices.

XS