The global market for used mobile phones is growing dynamically year on year, with sales reaching USD 55 billion last year and an estimated USD 70 billion by 2025. Buying a used mobile phone instead of a new one not only saves you money, but also reduces the impact on the environment. Up to 60% of smartphones are made up of raw materials, mainly ferrous and non-ferrous metals, and it is estimated[1] that recycling a single phone can save 154 kilograms of raw materials such as ferrous and non-ferrous metals, precious metals, rare earth metals, special metals and other materials, and prevent the emission of 50 kilograms of CO2e. As well as encouraging the purchase of usable second-hand handsets, Yettel has run several popular used handset collection campaigns that have resulted in more than 10 tonnes of handsets being returned to shops by customers over the past two years. The sale of high-quality, tested second-hand phones is the next step in this environmentally conscious direction.
Another step towards a more sustainable future
To promote more sustainable handset use, Yettel is launching a pilot scheme to sell premium second-hand smartphones from April. The mobile operator wants to offer its existing and new customers a greener and more cost-effective alternative to buying a new mobile phone. Yettel will start the pilot by selling only A+ rated used iPhones. This means that the smartphones will be offered in near-new condition and will undergo a comprehensive 56-point pre-test, including battery, display, functionality and a full data erasure guarantee.
Unlocked handsets will be sold with at least 85% battery life, a charging adapter and a charging cable. The average lifecycle of the available handsets will be 5 years. When combined with the right tariff plan, these phones will save their users up to HUF 100,000 gross compared to the current market price. Second-hand mobile phones can be ordered online with delivery and a two-year warranty and replacement guarantee.
“The secondary market for mobile phones is growing tremendously as the lifespan of handsets is extended. More and more people are choosing to buy a second-hand smartphone because it’s a greener and more cost-effective choice, and a few-year-old model doesn’t necessarily mean a compromise for the average user,” said Olga Szafonov, Yettel’s Consumer Sales Director. “The biggest carbon footprint in a phone’s lifecycle is during its manufacture, so as a company committed to sustainability, we want to increase the range of used handsets available over time,” she added.
Yettel is confident that the program will be a success and that by starting to sell premium second-hand smartphones, it can make a significant contribution to the adoption of more sustainable mobile purchasing trends in Hungary. The operator will decide whether to continue the program in the longer term and expand the offer based on the experience of the pilot. Yettel’s new service is supported by Recommerce as a partner.
More information: https://www.yettel.hu/mobiltelefon/felujitott-es-hasznalt-telefonok