Greener, cheaper, what's not to love about a secondhand smartphone?
- Reference: 1708961406
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2024/02/26/refurbished_phones_survey/
- Source link:
The Kantar survey of 7,750 people in 12 countries shows that more than a third of respondents intend to replace their current handset within the next year, with 52 percent considering the lower-cost option.
The sixth edition of the Recommerce Barometer found that 43 percent of those quizzed already own a used phone, up from 42 percent a year earlier.
[1]
Of the survey-takers who chose a used handset, 67 percent highlighted affordability as the primary factor in choosing a refurbished model, and 39 percent said pressure on the environment was shaping their decision to some extent as well.
[2]
[3]
IDC last week forecast global smartphone shipments of 1.2 billion units for 2024, which, if correct, would equate to year-on-year growth of 2.8 percent and end a [4]a record period of shrinking phone sales in the industry .
"It's been a challenging run for the smartphone market, even when looking at the years leading into the pandemic," said Ryan Reith, group vice president at IDC's Worldwide Mobility and Consumer Device Trackers. "While the world continues to face a challenging macroeconomic environment, several device categories that compete for a share of wallet are seeing a return to growth, including personal computers.
[5]Duo face 20 years in prison over counterfeit iPhone scam
[6]Euro shoppers popping more and more premium phones in the basket
[7]EU repair rights bill tells manufacturers to fix up or ship out
[8]Apple's on-device gen AI for the iPhone should surprise no-one. The way it does it might
"IDC firmly believes the smartphone will remain the quintessential device for most, but ongoing price increases and the improved durability of today's smartphones supports an already lengthened replacement cycle, which will dampen new shipment growth."
Sales cycles are stretching to [9]40 months now , according to average estimates – many see no reason to upgrade earlier. IDC believes that on-device AI, and to a lesser extent, foldable models, could entice more consumers to purchase new phones.
[10]
Around 170 million AI smartphones could be shipped this year, 15 percent of the total, and 25 million foldable, which would represent 37 percent more than 2023.
Some 40 percent of European shoppers that could afford to buy a brand new handset in Q4 opted for [11]devices in the $800 or above bracket , but for many others the secondhand market is the way to go.
Sales of refurbished devices grew 9.5 percent last year to 309.4 million and are projected to grow 8.8 percent between 2022 and 2027.
[12]
"Customers are now considering refurbished devices more than ever," said Nick Dutch, Vodafone global head of device lifecycle services. ®
Get our [13]Tech Resources
[1] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=2&c=2ZdzDuBh0vpRzNWX4mDQTiAAAAVQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D2%26raptor%3Dcondor%26pos%3Dtop%26test%3D0
[2] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZdzDuBh0vpRzNWX4mDQTiAAAAVQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[3] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZdzDuBh0vpRzNWX4mDQTiAAAAVQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[4] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/16/apple_tops_smartphone_market/
[5] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/21/counterfeit_iphone_scam/
[6] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/20/euro_phones_figures_canalys/
[7] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/06/european_parliament_repair_rights/
[8] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/25/apple_generative_ai/
[9] https://www.theregister.com/2024/01/23/second_hand_device_market/
[10] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=4&c=44ZdzDuBh0vpRzNWX4mDQTiAAAAVQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D4%26raptor%3Dfalcon%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[11] https://www.theregister.com/2024/02/20/euro_phones_figures_canalys/
[12] https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/jump?co=1&iu=/6978/reg_onprem/personaltech&sz=300x50%7C300x100%7C300x250%7C300x251%7C300x252%7C300x600%7C300x601&tile=3&c=33ZdzDuBh0vpRzNWX4mDQTiAAAAVQ&t=ct%3Dns%26unitnum%3D3%26raptor%3Deagle%26pos%3Dmid%26test%3D0
[13] https://whitepapers.theregister.com/
Re: Mmmmmm
I think this is where the distinction between "used" and "refurbished" might come in handy. If you buy someone's used phone on eBay, then you're depending on the seller knowing and disclosing the true state of the device. Conversely, I just bought a refurbished iPhone XR from a large purveyor of home electronics for about $300, and it seems pretty pristine (and a huge step up from the battered iPhone 7 it replaced). If the vendor truly is refurbishing the phone by replacing the battery and verifying that it works generally, then a refurbished phone seems like a great investment if you don't need the latest and greatest features.
Re: Mmmmmm
I doubt if many people are interested in your 5 (or whatever) year old knackered phones.
Most of the second hand market are from early adopters (aka idiots) who replace their phones as soon as a new shiny hits the market, expired contract jobs, over-purchases and end of line inventory clearance.
I've got a recon Sammy S10+ which looks new and has (so far) exhibited no issues.
Re: Mmmmmm
That's true. My Pixel 3XL cost $60 but it's web browsing is limited by the speed I can read el'reg, the podcasts are limited to only stereo and a pitiful range of human frequencies and the phone connection is terrible - it's audio only and limited to about 8Khz, no smell-o-vision
Re: Mmmmmm
One other thing to consider is security updates.
I have a Google Pixel 4A which I bought about four years ago that is working just fine, the battery still robustly holds a charge, and meets my rather modest needs (phone calls, messaging, and reading news on a couple of wire service apps) but has been "end of lifed" with respect to security updates as of November 2023.
I resent having to add to the e-waste stream but, like any unsupported device, the older it gets, the more vulnerable to attack it becomes.
Perhaps since I don't keep banking or health related information on the phone, I'm less vulnerable to a loss but, still, I suppose there are other ways I haven't considered where I can find myself with a mess on my hands.
If wiser heads can tell me how to maintain security on the thing, I'd be delighted to hear their counsel.
Re: Mmmmmm
Have a look at an AOSP replacement such as Graphene
Foldable AI
IDC believes that on-device AI, and to a lesser extent, foldable models, could entice more consumers to purchase new phones.
Not this one, for either. But then, I'm not in the market for top end phones. I'd settle for one that could just make network phone calls...
"more than a third of respondents intend to replace their current handset within the next year"
Ok, but how many respondents did not intend to replace their phone at all ?
Because I don't intend to replace my current phone until I retire.
In 8 years.
Mmmmmm
What's not to like? A screen where the oleophobic coating is worn out, the organic layers are close to burn in, the battery is OK but getting tired, and any charging socket is getting comfortably worn, the maker's software support is on a short fuse, and there's two years of unknowable levels of care.
To be honest, I'm currently selling a couple of phones like that (and being honest about any known defects) but in response to the article there's LOTS not to love about a secondhand smartphone. If Gen Z want to buy them to save the planet then fair dos, personally I suspect the main driver is some people would rather chance second hand than be on the hook for the sometimes userous costs that the mobile networks offer for a device and call plan.