Reused over Refurbished: Exploring Smartphone Life Extension in Thailand’s Informal Market

The rapid turnover of smartphones has created a growing electric waste challenge globally, particularly in emerging economies where formal recycling infrastructure remains limited. Circular economy strategies, such as reuse and refurbishment, offer potential pathways to extend smartphone lifespans, yet consumer preferences and market structures strongly shape their adoption. This study explores the dynamics of smartphone life extension in Thailand’s informal economy, focusing on Bangkok’s second-hand smartphone market. Data were collected through structured interviews with 110 kiosk operators in Bangkok, complemented by stakeholder insights from recyclers and used-phone providers. Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were conducted to examine business pathways, purchasing behavior, and factors influencing smartphone life extension. The findings demonstrated that reuse, rather than refurbishment, constitutes the dominant life-extension pathway. Most kiosks preferred smartphones that could be resold with minimal repair, while warranty provision emerged as the strongest enabling factor supporting consumer trust. Inferential analyses showed that prolonged smartphone circulation was significantly associated with product value, reflected in brand and price, whereas external condition and technical functionality were not significantly associated with smartphone age. Government support was perceived as limited, indicating that the market currently operates largely through decentralized commercial relationships rather than formal policy intervention. Thus, the study demonstrates that informal markets can serve as effective mechanisms for extending product lifespans and suggests that circular economy transitions in middle-income economies depend not only on refurbishment infrastructure but also on market organization, consumer trust, and product value.