Price hikes push buyers towards refurbished smartphones and laptops

India’s market for refurbished smartphones and laptops is expected to significantly outperform sales of new devices this year as rising memory costs continue to push up prices, driving more consumers towards certified pre-owned products.

Citing Counterpoint Research, Times of India said that India’s refurbished smartphone market is projected to grow around 12% year-on-year in 2026, even as shipments of new smartphones are expected to decline 11%. The refurbished laptop market is also expected to post double-digit growth this year, supported by rising prices of new PCs and growing consumer confidence in certified refurbished devices.