As new phones, cars get costlier, Indians turn to second-hand market in droves

Kolkata | New Delhi: Repeated price hikes in smartphones and passenger vehicles are driving many consumers towards refurbished and second-hand products.

According to mobile phone sales tracker Counterpoint Research, refurbished and pre-owned devices accounted for more than a quarter (26%) of total smartphone unit sales during January-May this year, up from about 23% in the same period a year earlier. The research firm said the segment is expanding at its fastest pace, aside from the Covid disruption period.