The market for used smartphones will grow from 81.3 million devices in 2015 to 222.6 million units in 2020, representing a compound annual growth rate of 22.3 percent, IDC estimates.
“The demand for refurbished smartphones is already becoming constrained in countries such as the United States. Mobile operators are the most constrained given the need for replacement devices for customers who have purchased device insurance plans,” said Anthony Scarsella, research manager for IDC’s Mobile Phones program.
The average selling price for a used device is expected to be $136 in 2020, the total market value for used devices in 2020 will be an estimated $30 billion.
According to IDC’s program director Will Stofega the used smartphone market will impact OEMs, mobile operators, and component suppliers.
Although there is a potential downside to mobile ecosystem suppliers, IDC believes that the used smartphone market also presents new opportunities to grow revenue and increase market share.
