In 2023, more people in Africa were buying used and refurbished phones – Report

A new report shows that there’s a booming market for used and refurbished smartphones in the Middle East and Africa. In 2023, this market grew the fastest at 8%, driven by better affordability, increased digitalization, and higher demand for technology.

Several factors have influenced this trend:

• Rising living costs and lower purchasing power in the region have made used phones more appealing.
• High inflation has caused new smartphone prices to soar, especially premium models from Samsung and Apple which cost over $1,000.
• Consumers see little reason to upgrade to new smartphones as improvements in hardware specs aren’t tempting enough to spend more money.

The report from Canalys notes that in the Middle East, used Apple iPhones are common, followed by Samsung’s high-end models and some Chinese brands like OPPO.

In Africa, consumer demand varies by country and price. For example, in Kenya, the most popular price for a refurbished smartphone is around $45, and nearly 80% of these phones are priced below this.

The report also points out that the fast growth in the used phone market hasn’t been easy for Samsung and Apple. They’re losing market share as shipments drop, and they face tough competition from cheaper, high-quality phones from Chinese manufacturers. Additionally, there is pressure from governments and corporations to increase sustainability, pushing companies to offer longer warranties and better after-sales services to make devices last longer.