The government has taken a big decision, people who are thinking of buying a cheap iPhone will get a shock

The government has taken a big decision, people who are thinking of buying a cheap iPhone will get a shock

The government has ended plans to distribute refurbished iPhones in India due to concerns over e-waste generation.Refurbished phone not available in India 

Refurbished phones are rapidly gaining popularity in the smartphone market. But now news has surfaced that the government has ended its plan to distribute refurbished iPhones in India due to concerns over e-waste generation. Let us first explain what a refurbished phone is. 

What is Refurbished Phone?

Refurbished phones are phones that can be returned to the seller for any malfunction or unsatisfied condition. These are recalled and repaired by the seller. After that this phone becomes like new. Then it is distributed in the market. These phones are very cheap compared to other new phones. 

APPLE had been in talks with the government for the past few years to allow the import and distribution of second-hand iPhones, called 'pre-owned and certified'. APPLE has failed to manufacture refurbished iPhones in India as government regulations do not provide for import of used devices. Allowing Apple would mean opening the door for other companies to dump used phones in India, leading to massive e-waste. 

That is why this plan has been abandoned. There is no intention to take this plan forward. Queries to an Apple India spokesperson did not go unanswered till Friday evening. ​​​​​​​

Govt's decision due to e-waste concerns

Navkendra Singh, associate vice president of device research at IDC India, South Asia, Australia and New Zealand, says that Apple's aim was to expand its market share with refurbished phones because once smartphone users start using the iPhone, they get used to it and so on. The chances of an iPhone being upgraded are much higher whether it is refurbished or new. It's a strategy that can help Apple lock users into its ecosystem.