In Austria, most unused smartphones lie forgotten in drawers. Half of Austrians have exchanged their phone in the past two years, a marketmind survey shows. Old devices are piling up. “42.5 percent do nothing with them—they vanish into a drawer even though they contain valuable resources,” said Drei board member Günter Lischka. Drei aims to return more devices into the circular economy.

Only 12.6 percent of respondents pass on their old phones, and 11.9 percent sell them, the May survey of 1,000 Austrians aged 16–70 found.

Demand for High-Performance Phones
With AI and new technologies, demand for powerful smartphones has more than doubled in four years, Drei CEO Rudolf Schrefl said. Fifty percent replace their phone within two years, 26 percent after two to three years, 16 percent after three to five years, and 8 percent keep theirs over five years. Nearly half wait until the battery or speed falls short.

Cost and Circular Plans
High-end phones often cost €1,000; over half of Drei’s top eight sellers exceed €800. While devices are more durable, they’re also pricier. Drei will offer new phones at special rates—even on existing contracts—and accept old devices for refurbishing with a professional partner.

“Lots of e-waste still sits in drawers,” Schrefl warned. Austria’s reuse ecosystem is underdeveloped, yet 55 percent of Austrians could imagine buying a used phone. When upgrading, a third choose premium new devices and a third mid-range for value. Annual flagship releases also drive rapid depreciation.

Smartphone as Swiss Army Knife
Smartphones have transformed everyday life, especially for under-30s: 80 percent stream music, over half use mobile payments and AI apps. Among those 60+, 61 percent are active on social media and 37 percent use banking apps.