Apple has once again proven its dominance in India’s refurbished smartphone market. According to Cashify’s latest report The Great Indian Upgrade 2025, Apple captured a staggering 62.9 percent share of refurbished sales during the first half of the year. This means that three out of every five buyers in this segment chose an iPhone, underlining the brand’s strong hold in both premium and resale markets.

iPhones Take the Lead in Premium Demand

The refurbished market has seen a strong shift toward premium devices priced above ₹60,000, which grew by 33 percent year on year. Among them, iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max and iPhone 12 Pro were the most sought after models. These devices continue to attract users looking for flagship performance and status appeal at relatively lower prices compared to new models.

Interestingly, Apple’s strength in refurbished sales reflects a wider consumer trend in India, where buyers are increasingly valuing longevity and reliability over short term upgrades.

The Rise of the Circular Tech Economy

The report highlights how Indian consumers are embracing the resale and trade in culture. Around 70 percent of users admitted to hoarding two or three unused devices at home, a phenomenon called the “Drawer Economy.” This unused stock represents billions of rupees in untapped resale potential. At the same time, one in three people sell old phones to fund new purchases, while 40 percent are driven by attractive buyback offers.

Consumer understanding of refurbished devices has also improved significantly. More than 75 percent of buyers now correctly define refurbished phones as “like new, tested and repaired by experts.” Over half the respondents cited a 12 month warranty as an important reassurance when purchasing pre owned devices.

Other Brands in the Mix

While Apple dominates, other brands are also playing their part in India’s refurbished story. OnePlus holds a 10.2 percent share, Xiaomi 9.7 percent, Samsung 6.1 percent, and Vivo has grown rapidly from 2.1 percent in 2024 to 3.2 percent in 2025.

Trade in activity is strongest in metro cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore, but tier 2 and tier 3 cities are catching up quickly, signaling that refurbished devices are becoming mainstream across India.

Buyers Willing to Spend More

Refurbished devices are no longer seen as compromise purchases. Nearly one third of buyers spend between ₹21,000 and ₹35,000, while 17.1 percent are willing to pay over ₹50,000 for the right refurbished model. This is a clear sign that affordability combined with trust in premium brands like Apple is driving strong demand.

The Bottom Line

Apple’s leadership in refurbished smartphone sales is reshaping the way Indians upgrade their devices. With iPhones continuing to dominate both aspiration and reliability, the refurbished market is quickly becoming a parallel growth engine for the brand in India.


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