Apple is leading the global refurbished smartphone market by a wide margin. Counterpoint Research says iPhones made up 58 percent of refurbished phone sales last year, showing how strong Apple’s hold is beyond new device sales.
The reason is simple. Many buyers want an iPhone, but not everyone wants to pay full price for a new one. A refurbished model gives them the same Apple ecosystem, strong cameras, long software support, and premium build quality at a lower price.
Older iPhones still hold value
Apple benefits because iPhones age better than most smartphones. A three-year-old iPhone can still run modern apps, receive updates, and feel reliable enough for daily use.
That makes refurbished iPhones an easy choice for buyers who want a premium phone without moving to a cheaper new Android device. Many refurbished units also come with checks, a warranty, and sometimes a fresh battery, which makes the purchase feel less risky.
Latin America is helping drive the growth
Counterpoint says Latin America’s refurbished smartphone market is expected to grow 12 percent year over year in 2026. The region shows why used phones are becoming more important: buyers want trusted devices, but new flagships are expensive.
This gives Apple a strong path into price-sensitive markets. Even when someone skips a new iPhone, a refurbished iPhone can still bring them into Apple’s ecosystem through iCloud, Apple Music, the App Store, and accessories.
Refurbished sales may slow some new iPhone purchases, but they also keep Apple devices valuable for longer. For Apple, that is the real win: the iPhone continues to generate demand even after its first owner upgrades.