Older phone models that still hold value

The United Nation's fourth Global E-waste Monitor highlights a concerning surge to a record 62 million metric tons of electronic waste globally in 2022 where only 22 percent were recycled.

In the dynamic Philippine market, Apple secures its position as the leading smartphone brand according to the latest survey by Statista, holding a significant market share that extends seamlessly into the secondhand sector. On buy and sell platform Carousell, iPhone ranks among the top five searched keywords, with specific iPhone and iPad models also figuring prominently among the top 30 keyword searches.

Among the most frequently-purchased secondhand phones are the iPhone 11, iPhone 12, iPhone 13, iPhone 14, and iPhone 15. This highlights the sustained popularity of older Apple products in the secondhand market. Meanwhile, Samsung asserts its position as the preferred Android brand within the Mobile Phones &andGadgets category.

Secondhand phones in 'like new condition' are the most popular, followed by 'lightly used' items in the Mobile Phones and Gadgets category, illustrating that users can indeed find the best of both worlds: high-quality mobile phones at an affordable price.

Take iPhone 14 Pro 128GB as an example, phones in 'like new' condition are listed at an average price of ₱47,000, 15 percent lower than retail price. Those in 'lightly used' condition are available at approximately ₱42,000 (24 percent lower than retail price), while 'well used' models are typically priced around ₱40,000 (28 percent lower than retail price), indicating the savings when opting for a secondhand mobile phone. This trend underscores the value proposition of the secondhand mobile market, where consumers can access premium devices without the premium price tag.

Highlighting the pressing need to reduce e-waste as mentioned in the United Nation's fourth Global E-waste Monitor, Carousell urges consumers to actively participate in the circular economy. By opting for secondhand items, consumers can reduce their carbon footprint. For instance, each secondhand iPhone 14 purchased can save up to 36 kg of carbon emissions, which represents approximately 53 percent of the emissions associated with manufacturing a new iPhone.

According to Carousell Group's Circular Economy Report, Carousell Group's user community helped avoid 116,577 tonnes of carbon emissions across four categories: Fashion and Luxury, Electronics, Furniture and Home Living, and Hobbies and Toys in 2022. This environmental impact is equivalent to flying one person 1.4 million times one-way between Davao and Manila.