Analysts at MegaFon found that from January to November of this year, Russians began to buy refurbished smartphones more often. Their sales increased fourfold in monetary terms in the combined retail network of MegaFon and Yota.
Most often, refurbished Samsung, Apple and Xiaomi smartphones were purchased. Among the models, the iPhone 8, Samsung Galaxy A50 and Samsung Galaxy A32 gained maximum popularity this year. The iPhone XS, iPhone 12 mini, Xiaomi Redmi 9A and Redmi 9C are also among the sales leaders.
Used smartphones appear on the shelves due to the fact that customers of MegaFon retail stores can sell their device. And get money for it either immediately to a bank card, or in the form of a discount on the purchase of a new smartphone in the amount of the price of the old smartphone.
Later, the best of them go to the operator's subsidiary Smart Bazar. Smartphones undergo a full pre-sale service: diagnostics, testing according to 55 unique parameters and replacement of components as needed. All refurbished devices are guaranteed.
MegaFon believes that the market will develop and predicts an increase in sales of used smartphones by more than 50%. This, in particular, will be facilitated by the growth of the average price for which old devices are bought.