China Refurbished Smartphone Market Size, Share, By Type (Refurbished Phones, Used Phones), By Operating System (Android, iOS, HarmonyOS, Others), By Price Band (Below CNY 1,000, CNY 1,000-1,999, CNY 2,000 and Above), By Sales Channel (Online Marketplace, Offline), By Network Technology (5G, 4G LTE, 3G and Below), By End User (Consumer B2C, Enterprise B2B), China Refurbished Smartphone Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

China Refurbished Smartphone Market Insights Forecasts to 2035

• China Refurbished Smartphone Market Size 2024: USD 35.6 Billion
• China Refurbished Smartphone Market Size 2035:  USD 149.2 Billion
• China Refurbished Smartphone Market CAGR 2024: 13.91%
• China Refurbished Smartphone Market Segments: Technology, Delivery Method, Application, Mode, and End Use.

The China refurbished mobile phone market refers to used phones that have been repaired and restored professionally, tested and rated, and then sold using a structured process. They are obtained through trade-in programs, device buybacks, corporate upgrades, or as used devices from the secondary market. As more consumers want to find good deals on premium smartphones, become more aware of how their purchasing decisions affect the environment, and replace their current smartphones at a more frequent rate than before, the market for these types of phones continues to grow. There is a growing number of organised online marketplaces, which has also created greater public confidence in the refurbishment market across China.

In addition, there are many factors supporting the continued growth of the refurbished smartphone market, including increasing smartphone penetration in China, increasing 5G adoption within the country, and an increasing demand for low-cost devices for both personal and business use. Government efforts to promote the circular economy and to help mitigate e-waste by creating structured refurbishment ecosystems have further encouraged continued expansion of the refurbishment industry in China. Many technological advancements have been made in the refurbishment supply chain, such as automating diagnosis and AI-based grading, along with secure data wiping technology, which have improved the quality control and operational efficiencies in the refurbishment supply chain.

Market Dynamics of the China Refurbished Smartphone Market:

The China refurbished mobile phone market is driven by the main factors which involve price-sensitive customers who want premium features at lower prices, together with fast smartphone development cycles and the growth of online secondhand selling platforms. The growing availability of 5G networks creates a higher need for budget-friendly refurbishable devices that support 5G technology. Businesses want to improve their device management systems while achieving their environmental targets, which drives their interest in B2B solutions. Manufacturers and e-commerce companies have established structured trade-in programs that help to improve both supply chain operations and resale processes.

The challenges faced by the China refurbished mobile phone market include the lack of uniform grading standards, together with the presence of fake items in unregulated markets and the issues that exist with battery performance and data protection. The limited warranty periods of premium devices compared to new products will make it difficult for customers to purchase these items. Import-export restrictions, together with secondary market price changes, will create challenges for product availability and price visibility across various Chinese regions.

The future prospects of the China refurbished mobile phone market are positive because digital growth in smaller cities together with increasing 5G smartphone replacement rates and enhanced certification standards will drive positive market development. The development of cross-border resale markets together with organized enterprise purchasing systems will make it easier to scale business operations. The industry will achieve sustainable growth through ongoing advancements in refurbishment automation processes and pricing analytics capabilities.

Market Segmentation

The China refurbished smartphone market share is classified into type, operating system, price band, sales channel, network technology, and end user.

By Type:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by type into refurbished phones and used phones. Among these, refurbished phones dominated the share in 2024 and are anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. Refurbished devices undergo professional inspection, component replacement, software updates, and quality grading before resale, offering higher reliability compared to directly resold used phones. Increasing consumer preference for certified quality assurance, warranty-backed purchases, and structured resale platforms is driving strong demand for professionally refurbished smartphones across urban and semi-urban markets.

By Operating System:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by operating system into Android, iOS, HarmonyOS, and others. Among these, Android dominated in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. The dominance is attributed to the large installed base of Android devices in China and broad price accessibility. However, refurbished iOS devices maintain strong demand in premium segments due to brand value and resale stability, while HarmonyOS devices are gradually expanding within the domestic ecosystem.

By Price Band:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by price band into Below CNY 1,000, CNY 1,000–1,999, and CNY 2,000 and Above. Among these, the CNY 1,000–1,999 segment dominated in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. This mid-range category offers an optimal balance between affordability and performance, attracting students, young professionals, and cost-conscious consumers seeking 5G-enabled smartphones and premium features at reduced prices compared to new devices.

By Sales Channel:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by sales channel into online marketplace and offline. Among these, online marketplace dominated the share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. E-commerce platforms provide transparent pricing, grading information, return policies, and warranty options. Digital trade-in services and doorstep logistics have streamlined resale operations, making online channels the preferred medium for refurbished smartphone transactions across major Chinese cities.

By Network Technology:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by network technology into 5G, 4G LTE, and 3G and below. Among these, 5G dominated in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. Rapid expansion of 5G infrastructure and increasing replacement of older 4G devices are driving demand for affordable 5G-enabled refurbished smartphones. Consumers seek cost-effective access to high-speed connectivity, encouraging stronger adoption of refurbished 5G models.

By End User:

The China refurbished smartphone market is divided by end user into consumer B2C and enterprise B2B. Among these, consumer B2C dominated the share in 2024 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. Individual consumers prefer refurbished smartphones for affordability and short upgrade cycles. Meanwhile, enterprise B2B adoption is gradually increasing as companies deploy refurbished devices for workforce mobility, cost optimization, and sustainability objectives.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organisations/companies involved within the China Refurbished Smartphone Market, along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

Top Key Companies in China Refurbished Smartphone Market:

• ATRenew Inc.
• Zhuanzhuan Group
• JD.com, Inc.
• Alibaba Group Holding Limited
• Huishoubao
• Apple Inc.
• Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
• Xiaomi Corporation
• Suning.com Co., Ltd.

Recent Developments in China Refurbished Smartphone Market:

In March 2025, ATRenew Inc. expanded its automated refurbishment facilities in China and launched upgraded AI-based grading and diagnostic systems to enhance quality certification standards and increase large-scale processing capacity for certified refurbished smartphones.

In January 2025, JD.com, Inc. strengthened its JD Paipai certified refurbished smartphone program by launching extended warranty coverage and standardized multi-point inspection protocols to improve consumer trust and marketplace transparency.

In November 2024, Zhuanzhuan Group introduced an upgraded “Zhuanzhuan Youpin” premium certified refurbishment line, featuring stricter battery health benchmarks and warranty-backed mid-range and premium refurbished smartphones.

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at the China, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the China refurbished smartphone market based on the below-mentioned segments:

China Refurbished Smartphone Market, By Type

• Refurbished Phones
• Used Phones
• Operating System
• Android
• iOS
• HarmonyOS
• Others

China Refurbished Smartphone Market, By Price Band

• Below CNY 1,000
• CNY 1,000–1,999
• CNY 2,000 and Above

China Refurbished Smartphone Market, By Sales Channel

• Online Marketplace
• Offline

China Refurbished Smartphone Market, By Network Technology

• 5G
• 4G LTE
• 3G and Below

China Refurbished Smartphone Market, By End User

• Consumer B2C
• Enterprise B2B