Three out of every five refurbished buyers are choosing iPhones in the first half of 2025, according to Cashify’s latest whitepaper, The Great Indian Upgrade 2025. The report reveals that Apple has a 62.9% refurbished sale share in H1 2025, slightly lower than 64.5% in 2024 but well ahead of competitors. OnePlus is at 10.2%, Xiaomi is at 9.7%, and Samsung is at 6.1% behind, and Vivo is the quickest, rising from 2.1% in the previous year to 3.2% this year.
iPhones prevail
Demand for used iPhones is highest in the Rs 60,000+ premium segment, which was up 33% year over year, driven by models such as the iPhone 14 Pro, iPhone 13 Pro Max, and iPhone 12 Pro. India exported 151 million smartphones in 2024, with the average selling prices rising to Rs 22,100, reflecting the country’s growing need for high-end technology.
“Three out of every five refurbished buyers opting for iPhones reflects how Apple is now the default aspirational brand in India’s second-hand market,” Co-founder & CEO, Cashify, Mandeep Manocha said. “What used to be niche is now mainstream, with structured resale unlocking affordability and trust.”
Drawer economy
The study also points to broader consumer behaviour: 33% of consumers sold old phones to pay for upgrades, 40% were driven by buyback incentives, and 70% continue to keep two or three unused phones at home, which Cashify refers to as the “Drawer Economy.” While 63% of sellers offload their devices within six months of having upgraded, 77% of resales continue to pass through informal grey channels.
Though 57.9% of shoppers report that they would rather repair than replace, economic barriers and chip shortages still hinder adoption. The used smartphone market globally is projected to hit $219.7 billion by 2033 as India emerges as one of its largest growth drivers—driven in no small way by the longevity of the iPhone in resale.