Used smartphone market in Finland faces recycling challenges despite high demand

The market for used smartphones is growing quickly, but a notable issue is surfacing. Retailers report high demand for second-hand devices, with new players entering the market continuously. However, the recycling of old smartphones is lagging behind, as the supply does not match the increasing demand. Approximately only one in ten phones is recycled, according to Petrus Lesonen, sales manager for home electronics and entertainment at Prisma.

Recently, S-Group announced it would introduce used smartphones on Prisma’s online store and expand its phone selection. Gigantti, another retailer, added used devices to its inventory a year ago. Other companies selling second-hand smartphones include Swappie, Verkkokauppa.com, iTapsa, and Fonum.

Despite the increase in new phones sold in Finland—approximately two million annually—recycling rates have remained stagnant. Lesonen highlighted that globally, the sales of recycled devices have surged, yet Finland is lagging.

Most people tend to keep their old phones as backups or pass them on to family members. The typical upgrade cycle for purchasing new smartphones is every two to three years. Jyri Helistö, sales manager for telecom products at Gigantti, emphasized availability issues, particularly for flagship models that are priced at the higher end and have longer lifecycles.

The prices of used devices vary based on their condition. For example, a new iPhone 12 with 64GB memory retails between €559 and €599, while a used one commands around €469. Swappie’s Northern and Western Europe manager, Moona Pohjola, believes there should be enough devices for all market participants, yet improving the flow of these devices from homes to stores remains a challenge.