With inflation and the rise in prices of new models, more and more French people are opting for reconditioned models. And today, this is highlighted by the SMAAART – IFOP 2023 Barometer on this market. IFOP interviewed a sample of 1,205 people aged 18 to 65 and representative of the French population. According to the results, 43% of French people have already purchased a refurbished phone.
♻ 67% of 18-65 year olds have purchased or intend to purchase a refurbished phone or computer ♻
In infographic, here are the consumption habits of the French regarding refurbished phones and computers in 2023. pic.twitter.com/sA9hwvn6Pz
— Smaaart (@Smaaart_FR) November 16, 2023
Compared to 2022, we observe an increase of 6 points. And compared to 2018, the increase is 23 points. In other words, in 5 years, the number of French people who have already purchased a refurbished phone has more than doubled. Additionally, the survey indicates that the vast majority of customers are satisfied. More precisely, 75% of French people who have purchased refurbished smartphones intend to buy them again. Here too, we have an increase of 2 points compared to 2022.
Furthermore, consumers don’t just buy refurbished phones for themselves. According to the SMAAART – IFOP 2023 Barometer, 17% of buyers have already purchased a refurbished phone as a gift.
Why do we buy refurbished?
The barometer also confirms that the primary motivation for consumers who buy refurbished phones is price. More precisely, when respondents were asked about their motivations, 39% mentioned the price. Comes next the guarantee offered by resellers, which motivates 16% of respondents. The preservation of the environment is in third place, with 11% of respondents.
However, there are also obstacles to purchasing refurbished smartphones. And for 32% of respondents, the main obstacle is the fear of a too short lifespan of the phone. For 20%, it is the fear of faulty features, while 10% fear that the warranty will not be honored.
Regarding the lifespan, on the software level, it should be remembered that in recent years, the main manufacturers have made efforts to ensure that their models receive software updates over longer periods of time. And this year, Google launched the Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro, two devices that the company is committed to bringing up to date until 2030. Furthermore, on a material level, some manufacturers are making efforts to make products easier to repair: either by modifying the design or by making spare parts and repair kits more accessible.
Refurbished PCs are also a hit
The SMAAART – IFOP 2023 Barometer also studied the market for reconditioned PCs in France. And here too, consumer interest is increasing. Indeed, according to the results of this survey, 18% of French people have already purchased a refurbished computer, an increase of 5 points compared to 2022. And 28% of French people intend to buy one, an increase of 1 % compared to the previous year.
As with smartphones, consumers are mainly motivated by the attractive prices of the refurbished computer market. But 11% of respondents also indicate that the reconditioned market allows them to purchase high-end equipment. And 10% mention the guarantee.
Otherwise, regarding the uses of refurbished computers, here is what the barometer indicates: “61% of respondents use a refurbished computer to go on the Internet and for office purposes. 24% use it for image and video processing and IT development. 14% of respondents use it for gaming.”
A global phenomenon
In any case, it is not only in France that sales of reconditioned devices are exploding. Earlier this year, IDC released its predictions for the global refurbished smartphone market. The firm estimates that this market will reach 413 million units shipped in 2026, with a compound annual growth rate of 10.3% between 2021 and 2026.
- In 5 years, the number of French people who have purchased a refurbished phone has more than doubled
- Furthermore, more and more French people are also interested in refurbished PCs
- The main motivation is the attractive prices of refurbished devices
