The secondary device market keeps growing and is forecast to reach $262bn in annual value by 2032. For wholesale buyers, that brings great opportunity along with a simple question: what’s the real difference between used and refurbished stock including laptops, phones, desktops and wearable tech?
Through Callisto, the secure marketplace for wholesale secondary tech, buyers source both used and refurbished tech at scale, so it’s worth being clear about what each category really means and how it fits the way you trade.
What counts as ‘used stock’?
Used devices come from structured OEM, carrier and retail programs, such as trade-ins, customer returns and lease returns. These devices can range from ‘like-new’ to clearly used, but every unit, regardless of condition, is securely data wiped, tested and given an accurate grade before it’s listed.
On Callisto, our used devices are tested against Alchemy’s 75-point quality checks which include GSMA blocklist, activation lock status and Mobile Device Management (MDM) checks, along with data erasure and grading so buyers know exactly what they’re purchasing. These devices are not repaired or refurbished, they are graded accurately so you can buy with clarity, whether you want premium used devices, or stock that shows more wear.
There is also rising demand for damaged used stock, especially if you run your own repair program and want to manage refurb work in-house. Accurate grading helps make those decisions possible.
What counts as ‘refurbished stock’?
Refurbished devices start as used devices, but they go through further work before being resold. Alongside our standard 75-point quality check, data wiping, testing and diagnostics we use for all devices, we also carry out cosmetic work and repairs where needed. We only use original manufacturer parts as standard when repairing devices. After that, the devices are retested and graded again, so the condition is clear and consistent when listed on Callisto.
Alchemy runs this process across its global footprint with strict controls, consistent grading, testing and standards that give you confidence in what you’re buying.
Used vs Refurbished tech
Why buy from Callisto?
Callisto is a secure used tech marketplace built for wholesale buyers who need scale, clarity and confidence. Every listing on our platform benefits from:
Strict grading standards
Stock sourced from OEMs, carriers and retailers
Escrow-secured payments
Fully KYC compliance
Clear listings to remove guesswork
This combination allows businesses to grow with confidence, whether you focus on high-volume used wholesale tech or refurbished stock ready to sell.
Callisto gives wholesale buyers a trusted place to source at scale, all within one global used tech marketplace.