Because your old laptop is starting to give up the ghost after years of loyal service, or just to take advantage of new features, you want to get a new smartphone.

However, if today it has become difficult to do without it, this collective addiction is not without consequences.

While scientists and associations point the finger at their heavy ecological impact, nearly 1.5 billion of these devices are sold each year around the world, and the French change them on average every two years.

The second-hand market, a solution within everyone's reach

If you need to change your smartphone, it is possible to opt for a used version (sold as is) or reconditioned (used but refurbished by a pro).

According to a study conducted by Remade.com, a specialist in the sector, their ecological impact is equivalent to 10% of that of a new one.

How? 'Or' What ?

No new raw material is necessary since the components are recovered, their recycling avoids the creation of toxic waste, and the telephones being generally reprocessed locally, the distances traveled for their production and their transport are less long.

And refurbished devices can be up to 75% cheaper than a new smartphone, even if the model is recent.

Where to buy a refurbished phone?

To acquire a used phone, you can go through word of mouth or buy from a private individual on a classifieds site.

But then you are not immune to getting ripped off or stumbling upon a defective product.

It is then possible to go through authorized resellers.

The major telephone operators and household appliance brands all offer refurbished smartphones from a wide choice of brands.

Some also market old second-hand models directly on their site or in stores.

Finally, there are platforms specializing in the resale of refurbished smartphones, such as Backmarket.fr or Rebuy.fr.

In any case, know that you benefit from a legal guarantee of conformity for a period of 6 months automatically covering breakdowns and malfunctions.

In addition, there is a two-year warranty against hidden defects, which requires proof that the defect existed before the purchase.

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What degree of repairability?

Since January 1, 2021, within the framework of the Anti-Waste Law and to help fight against planned obsolescence, the repairable nature of certain products, including smartphones, is now the subject of an index, ranging from from 1 to 10. If you absolutely have to buy a new device, opt instead for a model with a good repairability index.

  • Economy

  • Smartphone

  • Telephony

  • ecology

  • Pollution