Global surging DRAM and NAND flash prices have triggered dramatic price fluctuations across China’s second-hand mobile phone market on July 7, reshaping recycling and resale logistics for cross-border merchants.

Scrap Android handsets see the steepest appreciation. Outdated models like OPPO R9, once valued at only $3–5 for recycling, now fetch $22–27, an eightfold jump. Recyclers prioritize devices with intact memory chips, regardless of cracked screens or non-booting faults, as extracted storage grains ease tight chip supply driven by AI server demand. iPhones witness milder recycling gains of merely 10–20% due to non-detachable proprietary memory architecture. Counterpoint data forecasts China’s used smartphone shipments will top 100 million units in 2026, up 20% year-on-year.

Market sentiment shifts amid new device pricing pressure. Flagship new phones have raised prices by $150–220 due to memory cost inflation, pushing budget buyers to certified second-hand stock. Huawei’s upcoming 5G-supported Pura 90 global launch on July 14 also stirs trade-in demand: second-hand Mate 40 5G units maintain steady resale value, while older non-5G Huawei flagships face mild depreciation.

Cross-border second-hand traders warn that heightened bulk recycling volumes will slow customs clearance and declaration efficiency. Meanwhile, Xiaomi discontinued software updates for Mi 12S Ultra, cooling resale enthusiasm among photography enthusiasts. Industry insiders expect robust scrap phone recycling demand to persist through Q3 as storage shortages linger.