For the second consecutive year, Dipli and Ipsos join forces to take the pulse of the circular tech economy. This 2025 edition goes further. Sharper in scope, richer in insight, and now extended to four markets: France, Germany, Poland, and, new this year, the United Kingdom.
The study dives deeper into the twin engines of circularity: refurbished smartphones and trade-in programs. It explores how consumers think, buy and resell, uncovering the emotional triggers and operational frictions that still shape this fast-evolving market.
Beyond measuring consumer sentiment, this new wave brings a stronger analytical dimension: Dipli has refined and expanded the questionnaire to build the first-ever Dipli Circular Index (DCI), a proprietary indicator designed to measure how ready each market is to embrace circularity. This index captures both refurbished adoption and trade-in engagement, giving industry leaders a data-driven compass to evaluate progress and identify where to act next.
Across Europe, nearly two-thirds of consumers are now “refurb-ready”, meaning they already own a refurbished smartphone or say they could buy one in the future (64% in France, 62% in Germany, 64% in the UK, and 66% in Poland).
Confidence in refurbished devices continues to grow, supported by improvements in quality and performance standards. Still, perceptions of reliability and durability remain a key barrier, especially among first-time buyers.
For many non-adopters, hesitation stems from trust and knowledge gaps, one in four Europeans admits not knowing enough about refurbished smartphones to take the leap.
Reselling a smartphone remains less common, yet momentum is building. Only one in three Europeans has ever sold or traded in a smartphone, but figures reach 43% in the UK and 42% in Poland, where replacement cycles are shorter.
Everywhere, the main drivers are financial: obtaining a fair valuation or a discount on a new device. However, simplicity and speed define satisfaction.
Half of respondents expect the full process to take under 30 minutes, with instant payment via bank transfer being the preferred payout method.
This year’s report offers clear keys for experts, operators, OEMs or retailers building circular programs: how to convert openness into adoption, raise trust through simplicity and proof, and unlock the next stage of growth in Europe’s refurbished economy.
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The major breakthrough in this 2025 edition is the creation of **the Dipli Circular Readiness Index.** Dipli’s proprietary benchmark that measures how ready each market is to shift toward circularity, both on the refurbished purchase and trade-in sides. Built from four core IPSOS indicators: adoption, satisfaction, NPS, and consideration rate, this composite score acts as a compass for circular leaders, giving operators, retailers, and ecosystem partners a clear view of where each country stands and how to accelerate the transition to a fully circular model.
👉 Discover everything about the DCI here.
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